Category Archives: Great Stories

Reaching 300,000 Miles In A Big Rig

I had never planned on driving a big rig so you can imagine how exciting it was for me to reach the 300,000 mile barrier! Continue reading

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The Next Chapter In My Trucking Journey

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

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

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

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CDL Testing Day From A Trainers Perspective

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

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OTR Training- Week 1: Patience and Perseverance

Becoming a solo truck driver is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, and I have done some hard things. CDL training will test you in so many ways, and it will go far beyond your ability to drive a truck. Continue reading

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What’s A Tough Day Like In The Trucking World?

So what’s a tough day like in the life of a trucker? Well, if you survive it, it’s not as bad as it could have been. But let me tell ya, sometimes everything seems to go wrong! Continue reading

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My First Time Driving A Rig Through The Big Apple

I have only been on the road driving solo for a short time now and I had to go through New York City recently for the first time in a big rig – and what an adventure it was! Continue reading

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Working My Way Back Into The Trucking Industry

In October 2009 I posted a story called “I Want Out Of Trucking As A Driver”. The story was written with a lot of emotion, so I’d like to take the time to reflect on that a bit, and discuss the challenges I’ve faced trying to get back into the trucking industry. Continue reading

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A Trainer’s Perspective On Teaching Students How To Shift

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

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I’m Becoming a CDL Instructor!

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

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My First Solo Run Went Better Than I Expected

Well, the time finally came for me to get issued my own truck and go solo. It’s a very exciting time, but rather stressful too. And of course, the problems and lessons learned started right away. Continue reading

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Training Time Is Over And It’s Time To Test

Well, after two weeks with my trainer, I got to go home for three days to relax and get ready for my company test. Before I can get assigned my own truck I had to go back to the operating center and take a series of tests so the company knows I am knowledgeable enough and safe enough to go out solo in my own truck. Here’s how it went… Continue reading

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On The Road In Training: There’s Been A Lot Of Ups And Downs

Well, I have been out with my trainer for a week and a half now and it has definitely been a roller coaster ride. I am learning new things every day, and every day our trainer expects us to do more and more on our own with little or no guidance from him. I feel I have progressed quite a bit, but feel as tho I still have a long way to go, especially since I only have 3 more days with my trainer. Continue reading

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On The Road In Training: Doing Things For The First Time

In my first few days out on the road with a trainer everything is going great. Everything is brand new to you at this point – even my first truck stop shower! I had no idea how that was gonna go! Continue reading

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My First Days On The Road With A Trainer

We completed orientation and I got a call from the company that there was a trainer available to take me so I headed out on the highway for the first time! Here’s how it went… Continue reading

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