Got My First Driver Job!

Howdy everybody!! Been lurking here for about 2 months, have made a few posts (largely in the political arena) and have learned a great deal from everyones' posts, so I thank you tremendously!!
I am in a vocational school (10 week course) andfollowed my instructor's advice to check out a local carrier. Because I scored the best in class at all of the skills tests and got a verbal blessing from my instructor, I have been hired by this small, family owned carrier!! Surratt Trucking in Dade City, FL carries FJOC to CA and produce back to FL working as teams. They pay on percent rather than mileage, and as yet I'm not sure if that's and advantage or disadvantage. Everyone I've met at the company is polite and pleasent so far! I am happy that I'll have a lead driver with me all the time, so that I can ask questions and gain experience quickly. Anyway, I'm totally jazzed to get started and had to share my excitement with all ya'll! I will finish my orientation on Monday and will head out to CA later in the week! Wish me luck!!
BC

 

"Caucious" is my middle name!! Let me now make this oath:

I do hereby solomnly swear, to do my absolute best in representing professional truck drivers as safe, courteous, polite to all, upstanding and contributing members of the AMERICAN society. That I shall project the profession of truck driving as an honorable one, and worthy of the general publics' praise.

BC

 

Took my company driving test this morning. Was over 1 hour!! of driving...and the safety director was blown away...he commented that it was 'an excellent drive', so I feel great about the whole thing, so far!!
I will be shoving off for CA on Thurs. or Friday of this week. Looking forward to bringing home some bacon!! Thanks again to all of you here that have helped educate me on what to ask, what to look for and look out for, and how to choose a company. I feel as though you have helped me make a great choice!
BC

 

Thought I'd check back in with the board here...I've been round-trip FL-CA twice now with my trainer. Driven in all sorts of traffic, weather, mountains, TIGHT loading docks, etc...even got to drive thru a blowing snow storm the other day!! It's going well, so far. One thing for the other first-timers that I can 'warn' you of: sleep management! Don't ride shotgun for very long and shoot the breeze with your trainer/co-driver. I guess I kinda feel guilty or something...about leaving him up there alone. But while I'm driving, he's sleeping. So when he's driving, I should be sleeping in order to pull the night shift or day shift...whatever the arrangement is.
Also, newbies...watch out for all the idiots out there!! In 2 days going out west, I saw 3 cars upside-down in accidents. The driving masses aren't very educated behind the wheel, so please treat them as such.