Got approved by Crete today.

Yeah, I talked about the physical assessment a page or two back. Really though, don't sweat it, unless you already have high blood pressure. Also work to keep it low, so you can continue to be employed.

Week 2 is down and I just happened to get some internet access tonight at a Pilot in London, Ohio.

We've been in the new Cascadia for a week now and while it is a hell of a lot quieter and smoother than the International, getting into the top bunk practically requires spelunking gear. The Freightlinter also doesn't have quite as many amenities as the ProStar does -- just not quite as nice for 2 people, aside from the space. Going solo, I'd much rather be in a Cascadia.

Shifting's gotten a hell of a lot better. Can get into any gear without issue now, just need to work on finesse. Still jerking a little from time to time. These past 2 weeks, I've been doing all of the driving though, so plenty of practice. We were stuck in traffic in the Bronx the other day for about 5 hours, so I had an opportunity to get real familiar with all the gears on the low side there. Hit some traffic in Cincinnati today too, so had a little more time to do plenty of shifting.

Got all the Qualcom stuff down, which was done in like a day, trip planning, fueling, sliding tandems, etc -- all pretty much under control. The only thing I haven't had much practice doing yet is backing.

In the 2 weeks we've been out, I've probably only backed half a dozen times, and so far it's only been into spots with plenty of space or one that only requires a straight back. We've been running nonstop for the last 2 weeks, over 3k miles each week -- just haven't had much time for backing practice.

I was taking lots of notes last week, writing down little things like; which truck stops are good/bad, police sitting on I-40 in Memphis, logging tips, etc. But I'm quickly finding out that ####'s just unnecessary. Just doing all this day after day, it becomes hard to forget.

So yeah, things are still going great, no shortage of driving time, trainer and I still getting along -- in fact, I think I'm gonna be bored and missing this 8 weeks once I go solo.

I think I only have a few minutes left of my hour of internet at the Pilot, so I'm gonna wrap this up. Will update more when I can.

And good news about the starting pay increase. When I was in Lincoln last weekend, I was told about that. So $0.34 a mile now instead of the 31. Gotta love it.

 

There are definitely guys that like it at Crete and do well, but there are plenty more, it would seem, that just like to complain about all of it. You just ignore those guys. You'll find that most of the time they're complaining about something that they could easily fix.

I met a guy in Lincoln that was complaining about not being able to shower but a couple of times a week. It's his own fault for either planning poorly, being too lazy, refusing to shower at truck stops, etc. Every time you get at least 50 gallons of fuel at a Pilot you get a free shower. We pretty much fuel up at Pilots 90% of the time -- those free showers add up quickly. No excuse for not cleaning yourself regularly.

Met another guy that was complaining about miles but was constantly refusing loads he didn't like, such as trips to the north east, NYC, long island, etc. No wonder he wasn't getting anything. You can't refuse loads and expect to get miles, doesn't make sense. Miles are miles, just go!

Got a tiny bit of home time last night - currently sitting at the house, but about to take off in a couple hours. Was nice to see the fam.

Lord North - We delivered at Church & Dwight last night, off 30, getting a load out of there today and heading back to Ohio. If I can talk my trainer into it, maybe we can swing by.

 

Lord North -- Couldn't swing it. We picked up and took off for Ohio pretty much immediately, we were right around the corner though. Should be easier once I get my own truck.

Cadillac -- I had about $100 in my pocket when I went out with my trainer and it lasted a week -- I'll explain in a minute. I went to pre-qual on Monday, May 17 and got with my trainer on Friday, May 21. Didn't have to pay for anything during pre-qual - they'll feed you and take care of any transportation.

I got paid the following week, Thursday, May 27 and it was about $110 after taxes and deductions, so it looks like I got paid for being in pre-qual (even though the recruiter told me I wouldn't). And those money-hungry ##### (blue cross/blue shield) do deduct for your insurance even before your benefits kick in, which is aggravating since you're paying into a deductible -- it's flat out robbery, but that's insurance companies for ya.

The next pay date was for the full $500, which is about $360 after taxes and deductions. I have the family insurance plan with dental and vision, so it's a nice chunk out of each check. If you're single it won't be too bad, but $360 is basically nothing -- you really have to make it stretch. Can't wait until training is over and I can get on the regular pay scale.

Anyway, back to burning my $100 in the first week.
My trainer has no fridge in his truck, doesn't cook or anything like that (no toaster oven, microwave, etc.). He eats truck stop junk on a regular, daily basis. He doesn't like hanging out at a ts at all, but when we stop he'll eat whatever is there. I did bring a few things to snack on that first week, such as some clif bars, trail mix, a couple of noodle cups, etc, but when it came to meals I pretty much did it his way. That $100 was gone by the following week, and if I wasn't being cautious, it would've been gone within a few days.

It's his truck, he can run however he pleases, but I can't live off crap food for 8 weeks. Thankfully, he's a cool guy and doesn't mind if I feel like stopping off at a wal-mart to grab some food, bottled water, etc. So that's what I've been doing the last 2 weeks, and he does have a cooler in the truck, so as long as we keep up with the ice, we can keep things cold. I'll still do it "his way" on occasion, but much less often. When I go solo I plan on making every effort to avoid the ts food as much as possible. I'd like to avoid wal-mart too, but unfortunately not too many grocery stores are all that truck friendly.

If you wanna stretch your dollar you really need to be strong and not fall victim to the conveniences of the truck stop.

 

Glad to hear the move over to Kinard is still happening and things are expanding. And what a huge bonus that you'll have access to another rig. Sounds like things are working out well over there. Terri better pass!

I'll get that photo -- five more weeks.

About to finish up my training period home time, which was only a day and a half. You do get 4 days off during training, but what they don't tell you is that when you come back out you'll likely end up with a different trainer for the remaining 4 weeks.

My trainer and I worked it out so he's going to stay out with me the entire 8 weeks and we managed to wiggle in a small bit of home time for me (originally I wasn't going to take any time off at all). It kinda sucks, but I'd rather do this than possibly go back out with a less desirable trainer. Wife totally hates it, but that's just how it goes.

So Cadillac, be aware of that, especially if your trainer doesn't live anywhere near you. They're supposed to pair you with somebody that lives relatively close by, but that's just not happening. My trainer lives in GA, I live in PA -- not even remotely close, obviously. If you do get a trainer that lives nearby, then you can both take your home time at the same time and stick together for the full 8 weeks.