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TruckerMike's Most Recent Blogs

Questions and Answers for a Truck Driver

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:26:30 +0000

Recently, I was contacted by an individual who is interested in becoming a truck driver. He asked me several questions about the trucking industry and about my job. I thought they were excellent questions and decided it would be great to share on my blog for any of you interested in becoming a truck driver. I hope this helps answer some of the questions you might have!


My First Year as a Truck Driver

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:30:41 +0000

Wow, it's hard to believe, but I've been at my current employer for 1 year as of today. I began Truck Driving School in January of 2009, completed that in February of 2009, and was hired on in March of 2009. This post will simply serve as some observations that I've made as my first year of a truck driver.


Truck Driving Down Donner Pass

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:40:41 +0000

Until recently, I had never actually been on Donner's Pass in California. Donners Pass is usually touted as one of the more dangerous areas for truck drivers and is the site of many fatal accidents. It's quite an experience! I had the pleasure of going through it at night. I would have liked to take it during the day so I could see some of the scenery around me, but I'm sure I'll get that chance in the future. I was still able to make some key observations though...


Truck Driving In A Cave

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:25:37 +0000

On occasion I get to go to a place called Springfield Underground. It started life as a mine for limestone and is now and underground storage facility. If you never thought you'd see a big rig driving through a cave, well here's your chance!


Truck Driving in Winter Weather

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:51:27 +0000

Before I became a truck driver, there was nothing better than a good snow storm in the winter. Sliding around in my 4-wheeler, sledding, snowball fights, snowmen, hearing the scrape of the snowplow as is passes by, and the beautiful sight it leaves. That was then, and this is now!


Truck Driving – Experience and Enjoyment of the Job

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:55:00 +0000

I love being a truck driver, and certainly plan on doing this for a while. I've also found that as my experience grows, my enjoyment also continues to grow. I'm still considered a rookie with only 8 months experience, but the little experience I have is already paying off.


Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:33:41 +0000

Last week was National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. It certainly was nice to feel appreciated for a week. The list of sacrifices that drivers make can go on and on for days. Most of the sacrifices can't be explained in words, they simply have to be experienced to truly be understood.


Making it Financially in Truck Driving

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:49:58 +0000

Finances on the road can be tough when first getting started, but hopefully this will provide you with a little insight on how to stay out of trouble.


My Recent Trucking Adventures – Quite A Challenge

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:20:15 +0000

Sometimes trips go very smoothly, and other times trips are incredibly challenging, like the one I just had. This is the reality of truck driving. Are you up for the challenge?


My Truck Driving Career – A 6 Month Review

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:44:08 +0000

Wow, I can't believe it's been 6 months already. I've completed training, and have been on my own now for a couple months. So, I thought I'd share a few of my initial impressions of my early truck driving career, having experienced it for 6 months now.


Leaving Home

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:48:01 +0000

Over the Labor Day weekend, I was able to make a trip home. I had a fantastic weekend. The plan was for me to get back home on Thursday, then get back on the road on Tuesday. But I ended up getting home a day early. Not a huge deal, but this meant I'd have to leave on Monday which was Labor day. Total bummer, but that's the life of a truck driver.


Seeing the Other Side of the Tracks as a Truck Driver

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:35:35 +0000

"I wrote a recent post called "Truck Driving: An Office With A View" and that post had a lot of descriptions of the beauty this country holds. But out here on the road, our office doesn't always have such a great view.


The Sleep Cycle of a Truck Driver – It Doesn’t Exist

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:55:42 +0000

One thing that I wasn't quite prepared for when I decided to become a truck driver is the sleeping patterns. I knew fatigue was a big issue in truck driving, but now I truly understand why. The long driving hours are only part of the issue...it's rather complicated.


Want to Live a Simpler Life? Try Truck Driving!

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:49:27 +0000

Truck driving is very demanding and difficult. It is one of the biggest mental challenges I've ever gone through. From learning how to drive a truck, to dealing with uncooperative customers, to the irregular hours, and the time spent away from home. So if that's the case, why did I use such a title? I'll explain....


Alone Time as a Truck Driver – Can you Handle it?

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:00:56 +0000

When I first started researching becoming a truck driver, I knew I'd be spending a lot of time alone. Believe it or not, this was actually something I was looking forward to. It's not that I dislike people or anything like that, I've just always been the type that doesn't mind being alone. It's almost therapeutic. However, this isn't the case for everyone, and I'm here to tell you what it's like being a solo truck driver, all alone.


Truck Driving – An Office with a View!

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:03:15 +0000

I was driving through Oklahoma and Kansas today, which are two states that get a real bad wrap. Most people think it's boring. There's nothing around, nothing to do, and it's too flat. But, I've decided that I love these states! Sometimes, the beauty of a certain region doesn't stand out like a giant body of water or snow capped mountains. Sometimes, you need to look around to notice the sheer beauty.


Things That Irritate Truck Drivers

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:50:49 +0000

In my last post, I spoke a little bit about what truck drivers do on the road that can irritate 4-wheelers. This post is intended to help people understand what irritates us truck drivers.


Why Do Truck Drivers Do That?!?

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:10:56 +0000

This post is mainly for all of you out there who have never driven a truck before. Once the initial disbelief and confused facial expression wears off after I tell somebody I'm a truck driver, they always have questions for me. So this will serve as a bit of Q&A for everyone.


My First Solo Run as a Truck Driver

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:31:42 +0000

My first solo run as a truck driver has been completed, and boy do I have a story to tell. This trip was eventful, but was also successful in the end. Despite a few embarrassing details, I'm going to share it all. I can handle the razzing, and probably deserve it for a couple of things I did.


What Makes a Truck Driver: Dealing With The Stereotype

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:25:39 +0000

Everyone has their own version of what a truck driver looks and acts like (and sometimes what they might smell like). I'm even guilty of having an image of what a truck driver is. Although, once I became a driver, that all changed.


It’s Official – My Truck Driver Training is Over

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:50:37 +0000

After months of research, one month of CDL truck driving school, and 4 months of company training, I'm now going out on the open road as a solo company driver. Wow, sometimes I think back and it's taken forever to get here, while other times I think back and it's gone by in an instant.


Don’t Let the Little Things Bother You….Just Roll On

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:20:38 +0000

In the past few months that I've been driving, I've learned one major thing. Trucking can destroy you if you let it. Truck driving can literally drive you to madness....if you let it. So don't.....


One Electric Ride

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:52:10 +0000

There are some nights when you don't want to be in the truck. Then there are some nights when you wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world at that paticular moment.


The Best Trip for a Truck Driver – Home.

Thu, 28 May 2009 12:09:27 +0000

After being away from home for about 10 weeks, I finally got home. What I did while I was there wasn't as important as who I did it with....


Surviving a Company Trainer

Tue, 26 May 2009 12:37:42 +0000

Wow, it's been two months since I hit the road with my trainer. I can't believe it's already been that long. Time is really flying out here. As I stated in one of my earlier posts, my training period is much longer than most companies, so I probably won't be done for at least another 6 weeks or so. But since I've put in quite a bit of time with a trainer already, I thought I'd share a few of my thoughts on how to survive your company trainer.