Traveling to orientation via Greyhound.

Get to the bus terminal early. I left from Chicago, after I checked in I was told to place my bags at the assigned door for my bus to hold my boarding position. I learned the hard way that there is not the same amount of leg room in all rows. I am only 6 feet tall but the row I picked, my knees were jammed against the seat in front of me. Look for the handicapped row, if no one else needs it. It is like a limo compares to where I sat.

NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF YOUR BAGS! If you have a computer, and all other valuables (that you do not carry in your pockets, put your wallet in a front pants pocket) keep them in a small briefcase size bag that you can keep with you even when you go to the bathroom. I traveled with a friend and that made it easier to step away from luggage for a moment.

Four bags will be a real hassle doing your transitions. From car to bus, bus to whatever takes you to the orientation hotel. If they send a taxi, there might be three other drivers that need to get their bags in as well. From the hotel to the trainer's truck, trainer's truck to whatever is getting you home for a long earned break after you have passed the company's written and driving tests and are upgraded to a first seat driver!

My trainer was awesome and gave me almost half the storage space in the sleeper.

My friend was not so lucky. His trainer gave him NONE. He brought three bags and was told to "store them on the top bunk". For one, I don't think that is even legal, definitely not safe in case of a crash or heavy braking. Two, he had to sleep in that tiny top bunk with all his bags!!!!

There will be many sacrifices, some big and some small. But two years down the road they will just be your truck stop stories for other newbies.

Mikeeee

 

Bus stops are very dangerous. Expect to be approached by panhandlers and beggers in the terminals and expect much worse if you venture outside the terminals.

 

haha

I've rode GH several times. Hated every time. Still... after having the throttle stick on a air plane while trying to take off outta Atlanta, I'd prefer not to fly either. In fact, I won't give TSA the pleasure of a grope TO fly.

Anyways, I "slept" (if that is what you call it) with my head against the window. Actually, you want to make sure you get the inside seat. This way people won't be brushing up against you isle side and you'll have a "head rest".

Man... dunno what to tell ya.. MP3, head phones. Book.

and Good luck

*misses Montana* - It's freakin beautiful.

 

Yes ear plugs. The guy I traveled with snored up a storm! The guy in the seat behind me was talking up three ladies for him to hook up with when he got home, til about 3am!!!!

stop by your local pharmacy or walmart for these. the flared end on these blocks much more sound than the straight kind. they are soft foam and very comfortable.



You roll them between your fingers to make them really thin, stick them in your ear and they re-expand to custom fit your ear canal. I used them all the time in go-kart racing, etc....

Mikeeee

 

Greyhound sucks, there is no other way to say it. I'll guarantee you there will be at least 1 person sitting within smelling distance that hasn't seen a shower in at least a week.

 

It is an experience that can't be duplicated.

We stopped for a break, the food was some sort of fried chicken and wings, etc.

the lady in front of me must have had 30 hot sauce packets. She used a whole one for each wing!

I never did have to use the bus lavatory. Thanks god!

Mikeeee

 

I rode a bus from Joplin, Mo to Pensacola, FL, total trip was 24hrs. Had to change buses in Houston, TX (why would you go to Houston to get from Joplin to Pensacola??). Changed buses in New Orleans too. Miserable ride!!! All my buses were full, every seat. I wish I knew Spanish so I could have listened to the nonstop conversation. Yes they do stop occasionally for you to get food, the problem is you have 40? people going into the restaurant/store to get food also, so there are long lines, if you cant be in the first half of a line just grab something already made like those sandwiches in the fridge, tater chip, cookies or trail mix are good to have for later. Don't take too much time in store because the driver will leave without you, I saw it happen. Window seats make the ride a little more bearable , I had the aisle seat on one bus and it was very uncomfortable and impossible to sleep. Also I didn't trust the drivers driving especially at night.
Greyhound has some of the rudest workers I've ever seen, everyone from the clerks in the station, restaurant workers even the drivers, they herd you around like cattle. Make sure you have a bag in line to hold your spot as soon as they tell you what door you will load at, those lines get very long before the bus actually comes.
I also rode from Atlanta to Pensacola, same bs just a shorter trip. On this ride we changed buses in Montgomery, AL and Mobile, AL. Some bus station close at night, like Forest Park, GA and you are left to stand in the weather, usually in a undesirable neighborhood.
I will never ride Gteyhound again, I will hitchhike or walk first, seriously! I once found a forum like this titled Greyhound Sucks or something like that, it had pages and pages of horror stories but I cant find it now.

 

I stood in line waiting for food. The 20 minutes expired and I was still sixth in line... So I bailed an went back to the bus, so as to not be left behind.

Then we waited for another 30 minutes for all those that stayed in line to get food.... One of which was the driver!

Mikeeee