Heading to Springfield..starting new age 53.

Thanks IP. That will get me started. I wouldn't have thought of a sleeping bag on my on. Is that used in place of bed sheets and blanket?

I will need to keep the home fires burning so I hope to keep my away time minimal in the beginning. It's not for me, I could stay on for a long time. I will see what I can do about that. I won't put my job in jeparody though. Hopefully she will adapt and go with the flow.

I live near I-10 in Louisiana, is that a well travelled route for Prime?

Kevin

 

Yup, we get down that way.

The sleeping bag makes hot-bunking the lower bunk while teaming a lot easier. Get done with your shift, unroll the bag, done. There may be something posted and docked at the top of the "Advice to Newbies" folder as well - you might want to poke around in there a bit as well.

The reality of OTR at Prime is you will be gone alot. Your partner needs to be on-board 100%, so now is the time to start getting that worked out - not when you're 1000 miles away. Minumum is 3 weeks out, for 3-days at home on the company side, 4-days maximum at each visit. Practically, that means you will be sacrificing a paycheck to spend time at home - if the wheels aren't turning, you don't get paid. You need to work that into the equation as well.

There are plenty of ways to make it easier while you are on the road too - a cellphone with a connecton via one of the better providers is a must. A laptop with an aircard opens up another door too... email, instant messaging, e-cards, video cams to mention a few. There's also grabbing a post card, and putting something in the snail mail too. Lots of ways to show you're paying attention while you're out here.

There's some ideas to get you started...

 

Thanks for the advice IP. I know I'm not alone when I say the home time is going to be a real test for my wife. I can't help that, all I can do is try to stay in touch as much as I can and hope she will be OK with that. Life is making the most of whatever situation you find yourself in.

 

Start talking about it to her now - don't wait until you head for Springfield!

 

I already am, we had a very productive discussion during supper. I think things will work out. Now if I can actually do the work things will be peachy. I have never done as much windshield time as this job will require.

Thanks for the tip on newbee packing for school. I did find the thread in the newbee forum. For anyone else who needs the info here is the link:

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...packing-list-for-students-17.html#post1026399

It's actually post #168 where the good list is posted.

 

Pack in something soft-sided... a dufflebag is perfect.

 

I'll have to look for one. I guess a sporting goods place like Academy may have both the duffle bag and sleeping bag. Boy I have lots to do before I leave.

 

Hey guys, I'm on here saying this was a good decision for me, I have 4 kids and a wife and I miass them a bit but I have to work to provide for them, I'm enjoying my training with my second trainer, I like the driving. I will try and get in here as often as possible. Take Care. TD.

 

I wonder where the OP is? No work from jimwaller in a while. I guess maybe it didn't work out for him?

 

He posted on the site about two weeks ago... so he's around.