Third Week Update

End of my third week in training.....12,000 miles done in three weeks with 42 states out of the 48 that I've seen, literally going from East Coast to West Coast, North to South and back again......not bad going for this rookie.

The down side is that there have been times I've been so exhausted that I couldn't have told you which state I was in or what day it was. My mentor tells me that its just the training that I need to get through.....and that its hard for all the trainees (including himself). I have to admit at one very low point to wanting to end it and throw the towel in on trucking.....only to be talked out of it by Yung....bless him....I needed that talking to at the time......I know I would have regretted that decision. I just felt overwhelmed by nerves and tiredness.

Now I have four days of rest and hopefully get my act together for the final push of three more weeks of the same (24/7 running a big rig across America).

My mentor Yung Lee has now trained over forty people for Swift....he tells me that not one of them said that they enjoyed the grueling hours and the fear that comes with driving the big rigs up and down the mountains of America. Especially at night....which is what I've been doing.

The plus side is that I've loved the different landscapes and places that America has to offer.....camera will be at the ready for the next trip and I'm sure I will get allot more time and better pictures when I'm on my own. The schedule we run at the moment is just to tight to do anything.

I'm confident that this trucking lark will fall into place for me.....and the fact that I get to see parts of America that I would never have been able to see makes it all worth while.

For now I will keep on trucking........driving safe and lots of praying in between......now four days of rest....nice

Still right here with ya, Mick...Props to your trainer for setting you straight..I know it's gotta be a nightmare when you're in training and your so tired you don't know whether you're coming or going, but good on ya for hanging in there..have yourself a good rest..i bet by the time it's done, you will be gnawing at the bit to get back in that rig and start driving again..

Thanks Roadkill, it feels better just having a couple of decent nights sleep. I'm gearing myself up to go.....three more weeks of training and then its all down to me.....Swift are still a good company to work for I might add...

Hey that was a great update and I'm really glad things are moving forward nicely for ya!

Listen, there isn't a driver in America that hasn't thought that they were either with the wrong company or shouldn't be in trucking at all. Seriously, everyone has times they just want to walk away and never look back. The pressure, the erratic sleep patterns, the overwhelming amount of knowledge you need - it takes its toll sometimes. It's exhausting for everyone.

I'm really glad you're staying the course because you're right - you would have regretted quitting terribly. You would have gone home, gotten a couple days of rest, and then would have been ready to get back out there. Keep your eye on that one year mark. That first year is just brutal. It will get significantly easier even over the next 3-6 months. You'll know a lot more about life on the road, you'll have adapted to the erratic sleep schedule, and you'll be a lot more comfortable behind the wheel. Not to mention, you won't be teaming so you won't have to sleep with the truck rolling.

Stay with it! This is the toughest that trucking will ever be for you. It will get easier from here.

Thanks again for your comments Brett, now I've had three nights of home time, I'm rested, I'm now gearing up for the final push. The good thing is that I have a great trainer who I will remain friends after the the training is through. We are planning to play golf, take both our wife's out for a meal to celebrate....(when I pass the final test that is).

I can't say that I'm truly looking forward to the next three weeks of getting very little sleep, nerves on edge and trying to keep accident free. I know what I'm going through is all part of the initiation and if I want to be a trucker I need to keep it simple....one day at a time, one foot in front of the other. My trainer things I'm good enough to make it and he has seen allot of people get through this before I arrived.

I know that trucking gets into your blood, I've read enough and spoken to enough truck drivers to know this will happen....if you stay with it. That's what I'm hoping for after I let go of all my fears. Driving safe and keeping it real.

You totally have the perfect approach. You're gonna do great and it will definitely get easier. Those first few months of your trucking career are a trial by fire - no doubt about it. It takes a very strong mind and fierce determination to make it through, but you certainly will.

And I don't blame you a bit for being a little less than enthusiastic about the next few weeks. That's a lot of pressure and some big challenges to face. But just remember that literally millions of people have done it before you and millions will do it in the coming years. If they all managed to make it through then you know you most certainly can. And you will.

All of this is going to make for some amazing stories to tell, ya know it???