Hello....wife Of A Newbie Here

Be sure you switch to a calling plan that has no roaming and nationwide coverage or those phone bills will eat you alive!
Remember he is out there trying to make money so try and conserve wherever you can.
Trainees usually get slave wages for the time they are assigned to a trainer. Usually around 50.00 to 100.00 per day (depends upon the company of course).

Hang tough Geodew. He is going to need you to be strong and independant while he is away. Things will get better over time but he has to pay his dues FIRST. Unfortunately so will you. That means alot of lonely nights.

 

geodew, I live in a Michigan town even smaller than yours. The living is easy with only two traffic lights. It is safe to walk everywhere at night although everyone should know enough to lock their cars and homes.

Small towns do not represent the working environment of the general freight or steel hauler. Your husband will witness drug deals on street corners, hookers in truck stops, gays in rest areas, slums and abandoned buildings. His trainer should set an example of how to stay safe on the mean streets of our major cities because that is where your husband will be plying his trade. The trick for him to avoid burnout in this ugly environment is to take pride in his abilities. Some drivers dream of a dedicated run with no hassles or dangers. First, he has to pay his dues. You and your home will be all the more appreciated when he gets there.

 

After reading all the posts I could find about OTR and buying an ebook on the topic, I made my first (hope only) application with a recruiter today. I'm very excited about joining your ranks and having a career in trucking. Got laid off my last job --- Mexico & China, thank you --- and am starting CDL school Thursday. Wish me luck.
Steve

 

the trainer will probably let him rest in the truck before he has to drive.

It's been a bad winter all over the country. the only way to learn it is to do it.

You have to have a national cell plan. I like Verizion. little more money but the coverage is good and I have there wireless internet so I can surf the web anywhere.

US Express..... well there are worse places, they are automatic trucks and many people don't agre with learning to drive on the automatics snce other companies may be les inclined to hire you if you havn't learned to shift a truck. Other than that there is good and bad. None of the learning companies are great and you get out of it what you put ito it. Like stated before the first year is basicly endentured servatude.

 

I emphasize with you dear lady. Since I was earning more, my wife went through CDL school first and is out there driving while I am at home. Although I will join her after my orientation and training, I have not seen her yet this year. I know there is a difference between my situation and hers. Still some things I have learned may help. I enjoy hearing my wifes experiences and what she is seeing and doing. The first week she would ask what I was doing. Between working and being in CDL shool, I was away from home and doing nothing. But I soon learned that did not benefit her. So I learned quickly to make note of something each day. Then when she called, after hearing what she was doing, I had something to tell her. This 2 way giving to each other helped both of us a lot. It also helped me to look for positive experiences so I had something to share. This looking for them also made me aware of them and helped my missing her even though I had not realized that would be the effect. Finding something good each day to tell her from my days life lightened her worries and mine also. She had so many good things to tell me about her new experiences. And when she had a rough day, I was more able to encourage her. Among the things I made note to share with her, there was always an amusing or humorous occurence. We both started looking for a laugh to share each call. We still say the I miss you things. but we temper them with smiles, laughs and discussions of future good times we will have. I know it is hard when you are many miles apart. But making this effort to share together through words will make it all so much easier. With this groundwork built up, when it is time that one or the other of you need support, that will come so much easier. Today my wife learned she would not be here tomorrow like was planned. We were both down about that at first. But just before I wrote this she called and we ended up laughing and looking forward to the time when we would be together. It takes work. But sometimes this work at communicating can bring 2 people even closer than setting in the same house each night doing the same old thing. Not that I am saying this was your life. I guess what I am trying to say is that you face a challenge. However it is a meetable challenge and with a little effort, you 2 can grow closer in your spirits. As you talk and share, you will know that there is someone who knows your heart and who cares even knowing hte bad with the good. When you have that you can never be alone no matter how far apart you are physically. Many people when they lay down at night before they fall alseep are all alone wondering even though there is a body in the bed beside them. You have a chance to go to sleep each night without doubts or questions and knowing you will never be alone. Give thanks for the chance. It does not change today and the seperation you must deal with. Still, I can promise you there is a tomorrow and it will not always be like this starting time of your physical seperation. The future is bright and your times togther will become more precious for both of you. This will make you cherish it more and treat it in a special way that you cannot when you are always together. From what you have written so far, you have such a joyous future in front of you both. i hope sometime you will share with us how good it is for you. And, in the meantime as you move forward, know you have many yet unmet friends here.

Wayne

 

Welcome to the group things will slowly get easier. Any time ya need to babble we are here

 

geodew,

I agree with what everyone has said, your hubby is going to do great and he needs his girl to be strong. The more he knows you are struggling the worse he is going to be. The days will seem like forever but in the end, the time will seem as though it flew by.

You can do it!!!! It will be hard on both of you but you can do it!!!!

Are you planning on joining him out on the road when he is done???

 

I would highly recommend a new cell plan get out if you can. I have virizon family plan it is unlimited tex and pic and unlimited minuets between virizon phones. and reception is really good and no roaming fees.
I pay about 150.00 but I have 4 phones and 1400 anytime minuets. 1 for me, 1 for my wife, 1 for my brother ( heas my team driver) and 1 for my mom
that was the best thing I did for me and my wife.
we talk every day sometimes for hours at a time telling her about my day and were I'm at. sending her pictures of the beautiful sites out there.
you will talk more than you think, especially at night before you goto bed.
don't hang up the phone up, or goto bed mad. always try to keep things positive when talking.