Things I have learned as solo rookie.

Ok so I am pretty new at all this though I have been driving for almost a year I have the attitude that every time you get behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler its like the first time, no really.

1. I suck at backing, I dont care how many times I do it, I just can no get that #### thing straight or to not bounce off the dock and not feel like I am destroying property every time I hit the dock. Oh and of course if the box is straight well the tractor sure isnt. My advice - Be prepared to fail and not only get used to it but learn to love it.

2. Rest areas and trucks stops at night are just another opportunity to run into something. Past 8pm I will not pull in to a truck stop, I mean whats the point (other than fuel), there are no spaces at least not spaces "I" can get in to and of course everybody is making their own space to the point where you have to zig and zag around those that stop caring many years back about getting told to move, most of the time nobody ever says anything. Oh and that goes twice for rest areas after 10pm. My advice - start early so you shut down early though this is not always possible, that's how I have made it a year.

3. I am convinced that shippers and receivers conspire to make it as dangerous and as difficult and possible to deliver and pick up their cargo. It will make your head explode how they have no signs as to where you are suppose to go, they treat the backing areas like it was some kind of mine field giving you enough space that if you make the perfect turn at the perfect time you may only need to pull up 3 or 4 times in order to get on your spot without having to hit their precious #### that is so precious to them they put it in a spot that if it get hit or run over it will be pulverized and unusable. My advice - Just take your time, screw them I will not be hitting anything even if it takes all day to get on that spot.

Yeah for the more experience drivers on the board I am sure I come off as a whiney little nancy boy, but hey thats where I am at with this thing so there is really nothing I can do about it. For the rest well I hope that was helpful.