First Day Solo

My first day going solo on the highway involved finding a leaking main air feeder line (between reservoirs and brake system), switching trucks, having ceased fifth wheel locking pins (needed to adjust weight to be legal) and leaving the yard 5 hours later than planned.

You did well by comparison.

 

Long term reader first time poster here.

Thanks for the info Chinatown. I have some Nyquil and dayquil sitting in my truck that my mom gave me when I was coughing. I'm gonna dispose of it asap. Thank you.

 

That sounds like an exciting first solo run. Good luck to you man!

On my first run I couldn't unlatch the trailer and had to call service. The guy came out and just lifted and pulled and it worked fine. Nobody showed me that. He was nice enough to write it up as if something was broke so my company didn't give me crap. Live and Learn!

 

At most truck stops you can find the single doses of that stuff on the medicine isle. Peace and mind are a little over priced but it pays well in confidence when that DOT/state officer pulls you over and runs up to your truck cab before you have time to think about what's going on.

 

Keep us posted on your adventures @Thull . It's fun reading and I do
wish you the best.

I press my thumb against the sidewall to check pressure, I say on trips over a thousand miles that I'll actually guage a tire. I rarely do,
I've never had a DOT man use a guage on a tire.

 

Thull, you simply had bad luck getting pulled in.
In more than 5 years out here with Swift I have been pulled in or over only 3 times.
Only once was the full inspection done.

I was pulled in, only to be cut loose when a different truck came along. I guess they were bored when they pulled me in, and then a better truck came along and I was sent on my way.

I was pulled over while driving while on a hazmat load for an inspection.
The officer was stung by a bee just as he began the inspection and I was cut loose because he started feeling bad.

I was pulled in for a brake inspection, which I passed.

Getting pulled in on your first load was simply bad luck. But you got through it just fine.
Swifties are not brought in just because we are Swift, usually, because Swift keeps the trucks in good condition (if you let them by getting the truck in when it needs something).

 

Welcome to trucking, don't get discouraged they see us as rolling atm machines. A lot of good advise given here. Stay safe and good luck on your journeys

 

It was just a question, KriegHund. Look in the mirror for that self-righteousness.

 

That was not just a question. .