KLLM Driving Academy (Lancaster, TX)

I think as long as you got a good track record of otd. You will be approved. And you must have your hazmat and tanker endorsement.

 

Over slept this morning. Would have been an hour late but that turned into 3hrs late for pick up. Still had to get the trailer washed out due to my next load being produce. The blue beacon I went to had 6 other trucks in front of me. So much for hoping to get in and out. Then I ran into some construction that slowed me down. Also was getting extremely irritated by a 4 wheeler. Speed limit was 70. They were going 65 and under. I go to pass them about half way past the speed up and stay right along side my cab. I had to slow down due to a truck going slower. I get behind the van and they slow way down again. Once passed the truck I try to pass again. And what they do? The same thing. Gosh either go slower then me or faster. Pick one and move. I hate that so much. I'm now at the customer here in GA. Going to drop this load in Jackson. Pick up my next load there and head to Alabama.

 

Made it to Jackson this morning. Dropped the load their and hooked to my load. It's trilon going to Alabama. And man this load have me on the edge. I can feel the surge. At times when I stop the truck is bobbing up and down. This might be the heaviest load I pulled yet. I'm parked for the night. The truckstop is full so found a lot to park in next door. Seems a lil shady though. Got my seat beat wrapped on the door just in case. And got my pocket knives also. Theres other trucks in this lot but looks like they live in the area.

 

Made it to my delivery around 0945. Was checked right in. And told where to go. The dock I had to back into at the plant was a lil challenge. Nothing major. Just had to watch my passenger more due to a steel beam. After I bumped the dock had to give them my keys and wait in their break room. Not to big of a fan on that matter, but oh well. Took them 30mins to unload. After I sent my mty call got my next load right away. Picked up 50 miles away in McIntosh,AL. I get to the plant there and get checked in. Told to drop my trailer and hook to 126048. Sweet didn't know this was a drop and hook. Dispatch told me go get weighed immediately because they like to over load the trailers. No problem. 11020 on steers, 33900 drives and 31840 on the trailer. Slide my tandems to take some weight off the drives cause I know I got to fill up the tanks. This load the surge is not so bad. I'm a little more at ease pulling liquids now. Now I'm sitting at the pilot off i59 in Mississippi. Going to get rolling early in the morning. Heading to Fort Madison, IA.

 

There have been a few times were to be legal was to slide my 5th wheel. The heaviest I've been was 79,800. That load was fun to deal with. I guess its been luck that i didnt need to run back to the shipper.I've driven in light snow. Hoping I don't run into any storms going to Iowa. If i have to chain I'm just going to park it. I like a challenge, but that's one challenge I will pass on.

 

Ran only 400 miles today. Only had 8hrs to run on my 70. Been running on recaps. Today my placards wanted to fly away. So I had taped them but it was raining. So that didn't work. Next step was just put some rocks in between them. That solved that problem. I'm sitting in Missouri 325 miles away from the customer. The temperature starting to drop and the wind is rocking the truck. I already got my next pre plan. Pick up in Illinois and deliver in ohio. I really hate the fuel solution. They are really pushing the distance of my next fuel stop. If they would stop picking the shortest route that would take me through small towns and going through hills I could make them. I noticed the shorter routes sometimes take longer. So to me I'm just burning more fuel.

 

Made my delivery this morning. Took them 45 mins to unload me. Called to make sure that pp was still on me. Sure enough still good to go. I hate the new fuel cards. Thinking I was going to fill up. The company said otherwise. Only 64 gallons was added to the tanks. I was on 1/4 a tank. They are really pushing it on when to fuel. I'm in East saint Louis about 3 miles for my next pick up. Probably will have my next pp in the morning. Just got my pay recap. 3577 miles for the week. Keep in mind two trips got carried over from last week Hauling hazmat I get additional 50 if it requires placards. So thats a huge plus. Now I'm really running and making money.

 

Thanks I understand that now.