W/S newbie. Off to Montana 6/11/12

Sorry for vanishing for so long, but I have had literally zero free time and minimal internet up here.
I got hired officially today.
Looks like I will go to Modesto in a few days to pick up a truck and bring it back with a load to Mt, then trade it for my own truck.
The truck I have to pick up is a heavy haul rig with a 13sp.
It's for someone else.
Hmm...I am trained on a 10sp, and have never driven a 13.
I knew that first load would be a real hoot.lol.

Anyway, the training was brutal, but doable if you really try hard.
The log book exercises blew my head apart, but that just made me try even harder.
I eventually got it.
You have to be serious to come here, or you will be sent packing.
We lost one guy on Monday.
Me and the other two guys got hired.

Very cool people in this company.
Drivers and staff alike.

I am pleased to be aboard.

 

You're the guy that came last week, but had to return home, right?
If yes, we've met.

I got hired Thursday, got my truck Friday, got my first load Saturday, dropped it off today, and I am sitting in the truck in Tukwila, Wa. right now waiting on my next load.

My first load was HELL, but I figured it would be since I got my load assignment at 5 pm Friday, just as dispatch and everyone else left for the weekend.
The learning curve is pretty much a right angle.lol.

I had no freakin' clue what to do, but got some help from another driver at the terminal.
Got it all figured out for the most part.

For new drivers: Take that piece of paper with the qualcomm macro list out of your white binder and clip it over the dash. That little list is your friend.

 

My first week with this company was nothing short of pure hell.

The paperwork on my first couple loads nearly gave me a stroke, but I expected that.
I pretty much understand it now.
Pretty much.

The truck broke down 4 times, and I spent more time on the side of the road and at the terminals waiting for repairs than I did driving.
Yesterday I got 20 miles from the Helena terminal and my alternator got ghost.
In 9 days I think I made $150.
Not good.
I understand that these things happen and all, but this is a little ridiculous.

Well, I got a load today from Great Falls going to Denver, and I am in Billings right now at the Flying J having some coffee.

I am thinking this will get a little smoother as time goes by, and there isn't much left to fix on the truck....and my backing skills are quickly improving.lol.