The ramblings of a rookie

Funny how life throws you curves - right when U think its just a straight shot from A to B.
House-mouse type curves, I mean.
Good to have a home life to muse about while out on the road; keeps you sane.
Good luck with both - the road, and your new flame.

 

This post has been an awesome read. I hope you keep posting more. I'm currently active duty army, but I plan to start driving when I retire in 5 years. Going to be working for a flatbed company and hearing what you are doing and dealing with gives me hope. Seems much easier than I have built it up in my head. Plan on working for TMC. My brother-in-law worked for them and still has friends there to help me out getting in the door. I can't wait. 5 years seems so far away. I just want to hit the road. Not really going to be in it for the money. Could live off my retirement alone if I really have to since my house and pick up truck will be paid for by retirement. It's just that I've only wanted to do two things since I was a kid. Fix apache helicopters and drive a rig down the open road. Since I've almost put in my 20 working on apaches next up is getting in the saddle.

 

Phennick, if you are still stationed at Ft Eustis Tidewater Community College has a grant program through the DOT for active duty and veterans that pays for the tuition, books and fees. As far as I know (going through the application process right now) the only thing you have to pay for is the DOT physical and the drug screening. Have to get a VA license though if you don't have one. I Plan to do that then transfer it right back to my state of residency. They have evening classes twice a week fall and spring semesters in Portsmouth.

 

Things are slow in the water world. Started to pick up some for a couple weeks but I guess it was a bluff. Should be cranking any day now....

Headed home from a comedy show in Portland right now. It was nice to get out with my wife, first time since the new baby arrived back in October. Tom segura absolutely crushed it tonight. My face hurts.

 

If it's a small company, and a single dispatcher where you're having problems, maybe a sit-down with the owner is in order. I'm fairly certain he doesn't want to lose you if you're a good driver. And why leave if your only problem is dispatch.

Now, if the dispatcher is a family member of the owner, say Good Night and continue looking.

 

I have pulled a live floor many of a mile. If you are looking at a walking floor (more than likely) and not a chain floor (doubtful) Anytime you are hauling bulk comodities, hang a cheap blue tarp from the front and 5 feet or so on the floor before you load. Many products will leave as much as 6 inches covering the whole floor, the tarp trick cleans it out, just walk the tarp out with the load. It is easy to pull it out and reuse it. That is unless you like shoveling. lol
Another thing is, when the cotton seed, not to be confused with cotton seed hulls, belive the guy when he tells you you have a load with those three little bitty piles they put in there. lol