Well now I’m getting my first taste of the down time involved with this industry. About midnight last night trainer and I pulled into the I90 truck stop in Mitchell, SD with a load that doesn’t deliver until tomorrow morning at 6am. This is my trainer’s home so he’s off on home time while I’ve spent the entire day sitting here at the truck stop.
I’ve taken two naps, bugged the hell out of my wife who’s at work, played on my phone, walked over to McDonald’s and have generally done absolutely nothing. I’ve watched people pulling in and out of the truck stop, which is starting to fill up.
My trainer doesn’t have a tv or really any kind of entertainment on his truck. Which to me is uncivilized but hey to each their own right. He has a rule about no shoes inside the sleeper. It’s kind of annoying to me and I forget some times but I’m doing my absolute best to comply. I respect him and his equipment.
The no tv and the no shoe thing aside I got pretty lucky when it comes to my trainer. We seem to be getting along just fine. We’re close to the same age, both family guys, same taste in music and he’s a really good trainer. He’s been trucking a really long time and I’m learning a lot. Last night when we got here so early the truck stop was full so we spent the night at our drop, we spent an hour just practicing some backing skills. Went through several different set ups. That was a big help!
I’m pretty much doing all the driving now and I think he’s starting to trust me a little bit. Yesterday I drove and he climbed in the sleeper and took a nap for a couple hours. I guess he wouldn’t do that if he didn’t trust the guy behind the wheel.
Anyway how do you guys deal with the boredom? A buddy of mine back home said stay away from the lot lizards lol!
Newbie Heading Out Next Week!
Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by RightLaneKing, Jun 8, 2023.
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Boredom? Really?
Consider this: you will be out with your trainer for (if my math is correct) about 3 weeks, with Swift.
During that time--you want to LEARN ALL YOU POSSIBLY CAN from that trainer.
Judging from your above posted info--you were/are very fortunate/blessed--you got a trainer that is reasonably competent, and a real pro (I didn't).
Thus--use your spare time to make lists of questions to run by your trainer, while you still have the opportunity to learn, face-to-face.
Suggestions: what items to carry in winter for winter conditions (examples: a small shovel, kitty litter, anti-gel additive for the fuel, etc, etc); how to chain up (if your trainer does in fact chain up--get the trainer to teach/show you how to do this!); suggestions/tips on how to better trip plan; suggestions/tips on doing better pre-trip inspections (if you are later stopped by DOT for an inspection--know you can "ace" it); how to communicate/work more effectively with dispatch to later get better loads/runs; how to inspect/adjust slack adjusters on the brakes; how to inspect/what to look for with brake shoes/pads; and here's the real BIGGIE: talk extensively to that trainer about suggestions/tips for driving in WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS (when & how to keep driving, and when to just quit and park it!).
In short--don't waste your precious time with your trainer. Make the most of it--it will all be over before you know it--and then you can get that tv put in the sleeper berth in your own assigned truck.
-- LualJarrod1221 Thanks this. -
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Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
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