CDL in hand... Now What ? Decision time, that's what...

You're welcome & thanks for reading.

 

My trainer called as we were driving in the rental car. At that time we were about an hour north of Memphis, TN. He asked where I was. Turns out he was at a truck stop just south of Memphis. So I got dropped off and the other trainee kept heading to Alabama.

Just awake now after having spent my first night sleeping in a truck. Not that different than a boat in terms of space. But the motion is certainly less than that at a rolling anchorage

Last night we went over ground rules and expectations. The trainer will be driving to the consignee this morning and then I should be doing most of the driving the remainder of the time. We are going to be unloading steel plate in Huntsville, AL then likely picking up lumber bound for Wisconsin.

I slept fairly well and am now excited to be participating in the real deal. I am even looking forward to folding some tarps

Stay safe and have fun

Perpetual

 

Long day. Dropped off load of steel in Huntsville, AL. Picked up another load of steel in Jackson, TN. Now in Union City, TN near KY border. Ran out of hours so got permission from manager of Big Lots to park. Restaurants nearby. No shower tonight just baby wipes. Do the 10 in the sleeper and then need to be in Oshkosh, WI by Friday noon. I drove 5 hours today, 240 miles. Picking up the steel was a trip. Big magnet cranes inside building then secure with straps outside then into tarp shed for full tarping. Woo hoo we are flatbedding now people!

 

For the first 2 days we are running pretty hard. Bkfst & lunch was on the go and snacks from convenience store during load checks or already on hand. Sit down dinners at reasonably priced restaurants. Modest small town steakhouse last night with spag and salad bar for me $8. Tonight TA truckstop restaurant soup and salad bar $7.

My trainer has a regular cooler no fridge so no cold food on board. He carries a plug in cooler when not training. I am sure that each trainer has his own routine for food.

I am finding small relatively healthy snacks ( apple, granola bar, trail mix, etc) are greeable during the driving day when a nice meal happens for dinner. I will probably have a plug in cooler when I go solo.

Thanks for reading.

Perpetual.

 

520 miles in 10 hours drive time today. Speed limit strictly observed as well as all required load/vehicle checks and a refueling. Now at T/A truckstop at IL WI state line. 120 miles to reach consignee tomorrow morning; should be there by 09:00.

Be safe and have fun.

Perpetual.

 

I plan to post a recommended/ detailed gear list later. Want to get a few more days behind me first

I will say this: so far I have not needed anything unbrought. If anything too much was brought. For example, I have 3 pair of jeans and one double knee work pants along with full dickies coveralls. I could have left two of the 4 long pants home since I can get 3-5 days out of each. The coveralls are always worn for loading/unloading, securement and tarping.

Keep in mind that the time of year will make a difference on what to bring to training. Of course once in our own trucks we will not only have more space but also the opportunity to switch out gear during home time.