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TruckerMike's Most Recent Blogs

The Next Chapter In My Trucking Journey

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:16:17 +0000

I've seen more of this country in just a few short years than most people see in their entire lifetimes. But most things eventually come to an end. In this case, my trucking career has ended as I move on to other things. I'd like to summarize why I left the industry, and where I'm headed now. Continue reading →


A Driver Trainer’s Perspective: Some Helpful Tips And Observations For Student Drivers

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:49:04 +0000

Being a CDL instructor or a driver trainer is a very unique experience. I learned more about truck driving over the past 4 weeks than I have in the previous three years combined. It was an amazing learning experience for me. Here are some of the highlights I learned along the way. Continue reading →


CDL Testing Day From A Trainers Perspective

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:58:55 +0000

After four weeks on the road training my student, it was time to sit back nervously and watch as he attempted to take the CDL exam to get his license. My student and I were extremely nervous, and it didn't go quite as well as we had hoped. Continue reading →


Learning How To Back Up A Big Truck

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:48:34 +0000

Learning how to back up a big rig is no easy task, but a few basic tips and tricks can really speed up the process! Continue reading →


Trying To Teach Proper Driver Forecasting

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:55:05 +0000

I'm about three weeks into being a CDL instructor now, working one on one on the road with my student. There's a lot I can teach, but there's a lot that can only come with experience. Forecasting what may happen next is one of the most important aspects of safe driving, and one of the toughest to teach a new driver. Continue reading →


Types of Trainers and How to Deal With Them

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:30:11 +0000

While I've only been a CDL instructor for about a week now, I've already noticed that my training techniques could easily go in several different directions. Here are some of the more common personalities and traits a trainer might have, and how to deal with them as a student or new driver. Continue reading →


A Trainer’s Perspective On Teaching Students How To Shift

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:10:38 +0000

Today, I became a fully certified CDL instructor (woo hoo!). It feels very strange to be teaching students how to shift a truck when it feels like I just got my CDL license last week. Of course, I've had my license for over two and a half years now, but it sure doesn't feel that way. Continue reading →


I’m Becoming a CDL Instructor!

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:44:31 +0000

Yup, I'm doing something I never thought I'd ever do. I'm becoming a CDL instructor! Long story short, an old college buddy of mine started asking questions about becoming a truck driver. After several emails and a couple phone calls together, he applied to the company I drive for and was hired. He's coming in without any trucking experience and no CDL. After a lot of thinking, I decided to train him myself. Continue reading →


The Difference Between Truck Drivers and Professional Truck Drivers

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:43:00 +0000

The world has its share of unprofessional drivers, and driving a truck for a living doesn't necessary exclude you from this category. What does it mean to truly be a professional driver? Here's some great advice to help keep you safe out there. Continue reading →


Losing Weight As A Truck Driver

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:37:07 +0000

Losing weight as a truck driver is a very difficult thing. Actually, what I should say is gaining weight as a truck driver is very easy! But after putting on some weight initially, I took off and now I'm in the best shape of my life - without exercise! It was really a pretty simple plan - here's how I did it. Continue reading →


My 2010 Salary – Finishing Up My Second Year Behind The Wheel

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:59:41 +0000

It's hard to find accurate information about truck driver's salaries so I'm sharing my salary information for my second year on the road so people that are considering becoming a truck driver will have a realistic expectation of what they can make out here. Continue reading →


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! Continue reading →


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. Continue reading →


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... Continue reading →


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! Continue reading →


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! Continue reading →


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. Continue reading →


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. Continue reading →


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. Continue reading →


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? Continue reading →


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. Continue reading →


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. Continue reading →


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. Continue reading →


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. Continue reading →


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.... Continue reading →