Nervous about heading out on my own. Any advice or help?

"There is no mistake you can make that hasn't been made a million times before, and won't be made a million times after today."

Those were words from my trainer that I still remember to this day that helps to keep things in perspective.

Good luck, stay safe, and don't overdrive your comfort zone, at least at first.

 

This is true about Wal Mart. I also recommend calling ahead. Don't ask to stay overnight. Ask for the manager, and ask him/her if its ok to park WHILE YOU SHOP. After you shop, ask to speak to him/her in person and THEN ask if you can park there for a few hours of rest. I did this with the school of thought that the manager is more likely to be friendly, not only in person, but by seeing you with a buggy full of groceries you just bought from him. Kind of like like sliding in under the radar, but its worked for me before. Helps in letting them know you are legitimate.

 

Awesome advice. I got one that always use to get me...right turns in the city. Take the center of both lanes to make ur turn its that moment of crisis when u look in ur mirror and realize u aint gonna make it...ur mirrors are yer friends bud and please watch ur blindspot 4 wheelers love it there for some reason. Truck on bud.

 

You probably will. Everything is important in some way.

One you will definitely do is to make a mistake. It happens, just don't overreact. Too many panic and turn a small mistake into a bigger one.

 

DriverToBroker I'm not sure, I have a Galaxy S3 and I got it from the Google Play store. Blackberry's are pretty weird with there phones. If it has the android OS on it I would assume it would be available. It's actually called Truck Stops and Travel Plazas

 

Lots of great advice from some real otr drivers. I completed sni training about a 18 months go. Hardest part for me when I went out solo was finding parking when the day was over. Its easy with a trainer when u get to a TS and its full. The trainer usually knows somewhere else to park for the nite. When your solo and go looking the ever present fear of a low bridge or small bridge appearing was enough to have my heart pounding. Hopefully u have your trainers number and, like mine, he was happy to answer any questions i had including giving me a number of places to go park for the nite. Just make sure u have food and water so when your parked in a dirt lot miles away from a store you wont go hungry. Like someoe suggested, i tried to start early so i was finishing and parked before its pitch black and everyone is looking for parking. I give all you OTR men and woman all the credit in the world. I thought I would love driving for a living. In the end it was the lifestyle I couldnt take. I got about a year OTR experience and ended up driving a propane truck for about 6 months before getting a great job with local dpw. Im glad I did the otr cause it gave me the experience to get my current job but really I now appreciate the job you OTR drivers do. Stay safe

 

oh hell,

I own my own truck and I STILL get nervous on days for some reason. Even when trying to back into a truck stop for the night.

You have a lot to learn and experience. No one out there wants to make you fail. If you have to, stop, step back and LOOK at what you are about to do. No one else is in that truck making the decision. It's just you. If something is happening that you need help with, then do not be afraid to stop and ask for help. Even if it means stopping and pulling into a weigh station for them to answer an Hour of Service or scale ticket question. You'd be amazed how much they are willing to help you out.

 

If you haven't found it yet, there is a few different threads on cooking in the truck. While you might not want to cook as much as some do, haveing some food in the truck is a good idea. At the very least snacks, but it sure helps make the decision easier to stay in that dirt parking lot when your stomach isn't growling.

 

Where did you end up going on your first run?