New guy

Hello all,

I have been reading this forum for a while and thought I would say hello. I start on Monday, February 9th with DS in Indianapolis IN.

I will admit the economy has me a bit concerned, but I cannot be anymore unemployed than I already am at the moment. I used to work as a EMT and just had my belly full of the EMS system. My father was an O/O and I grew up on a Freightliner cabover until I was 11. So, the life is not totally foreign to me. I know a lot has changed in the industry since 1981, but from what I can see it has gotten in many ways better. MY father was the kind of man who could rive 20+ hours, sleep 4 hours and then turn around a do another 15. Back then you could cook the books if you were smart, but in the end it cost my father his life. He died at 58 from heart failure. He did it the old school way, coffee, cigarettes and will power. He never did drugs and was physically in good shape. He just worked himself to death.

I am not in the position that I need to make lots of money fast, we just sold our home in Austin, TX. I have savings to carry me until the economy strengthens. Worst thing, I get laid off, but I will have a CDL and some experience and can get moving when the economy does.

Anyone have any advice how to survive DS? I don't think the training could be any harder or stressful than the training I had in the EMT program.

I know trucking can be stressful, but at least I don't have to worry about anyone dying on me. (Within reason)

Thanks.