Just started out!

Well hello all!

Im one week into my "training" and just looking for some over all encouragement and tips. Let me start from the beginning.

Im 21, and have held the same job since graduating high school. Schooling just wasnt for me, and I knew it, so instead of college I went right into the workforce. I got a job doing maintenance type work, and held on to that job until only a few weeks ago. I knew that wasnt what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, so I talked to my dad and brother who have been trucking for a combined 32 years (dad has 31 years under his belt, brother has "1" year). I decided to jump in, and had my dad agree to letting me run with him (He's an owner operator). My brother went down and talked to his boss (who ironically went to school with my dad) and he agreed to hire me on! Now, mind you Iv never been to trucking school, and currently only have my CDLI (Learners permit), and not even sure if Ill enjoy this industry, so this is quite a surprise, as Iv heard its hard for new drivers to start out.

Well last week he sent me out to train with my brother. I wasnt a school type of person so I said no to the trucking school, and would prefer to learn by doing. So far a week into it I think Ill enjoy it, but theres so much being throwen at me! I have to give you all props day in and day out!

So far Iv just been doing highway driving (rest area to rest area), and have up shifting almost mastered, and no problems controlling the truck at 70mph. The log book is easy to conquer, and the floor (no dual bunk) is comfy enough for now.

I did get to drive in town to a receiver at 3 am this past Thursday when there wasnt anyone else on the road (LOL), and it was rocky, but I made it. Im mostly worried about turning. Im not used to making turns so wide, and the trailer were hauling is a split axle curtain side, so turning cant be as tight, leaving only a small space for error. (No dumps on the rear axle as I was told by another drive to dump the air when turning....). Down shifting is also kind of rocky, and I sometimes have to skip a gear or two, eek! Im sure Ill get that soon enough though, just a matter of practice

Backing up is a whole nother story! I can get it, but only after about 15 pull ups. Iv heard the setup is key, but my brother has been setting me up, then letting me back in. Mind you he tells me each time he purposely didnt set me up right, as he is "Training me for the worse!". Says if I can back it up from where he sets me up, Ill have no issues backing myself in, no matter the setup.

Other wise after a week Im enjoying it. We made a run from Middle Wisconsin to Oklahoma, over to MI, and back to WI in a week. were doing the same run this week, but he says Ill get to drive alot more!

I have an appointment for my CLD road test next week already. If Im not ready Ill cancel, and re schedule, and yes the tester knows I might do this (He told me to set it up like that!). I feel confident Ill be ready by that time. I might get some bashing for this, but the road test will be done in adump truck with an auto, (so no shifting to fail me) and the only backing Ill do is into a driveway. Once I get my test done and passed Ill stay on with my brother, until he thinks Im ready to be on my own, then I stick with him but get my own truck and follow him (Well, actually Ill keep the truck were in now, and he'll get a new one)

My truck will be a 04 Volvo, and the trailer its hooked so is a 2000 split axle curtain side. each driver for this small company gets an assigned truck and trailer. The truck isnt bad, it pulls hills nicely, and is set at 71 mph, but you can tell its been used and abused. in side is "kind of" put back together. they must have done some major work inside and forgot to put all the screws back or something. its just not what I see myself driving, but if I stick with this, Ill most likly buy my own truck in about a year or so. I compare my dads weekly checks to my brothers and I know who wins that race. Granted my dad has to pay for repairs on the truck, and fuel, and even after that its no competition.

Anyhow, I didnt really see an area to introduce yourself so I figured here would work. Any tips or tricks any one wants to throw out there based on the issues Iv had would be awesome, other wise just say hi!

(Also if I were to buy my truck, you bet your ### its nick-name would be Truck Norris. I had a power house of a race truck a few years back nicknamed Truck Norris and people loved it everywhere I went, lol)

 

Its a 10 wheeler, and from what I understand it will have a larger trailer on it. Also I asked the instructor about that, and he said there wouldn't be any restrictions after.

Also Im sorry I looked at the list of topic countless times but failed to see the "welcome wagon"! Doh! can this be moved, or should I start a new one over there?