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Archive of posts tagged hard lessons learned

New Truck Drivers: Beware of Rocking The Boat

Recently I heard a story of a truck driving student who was on the road with a trainer and discovered that the trainer was smoking pot in the truck while the student was driving. How did the student handle this? Did it backfire on him? There are some things that everyone needs to understand about the realities of life in the trucking industry.

I Want Out Of Trucking As A Driver

Let me start out by saying I entered trucking in 2001 because I needed a job. A job that paid a livable wage. So I entered as a warm body that companies put in the drivers seat. My pleas for an office duty/inside job were not being heard. At first this new driving thing was not too bad, but soon the newness and “fun” wears off.

My Recent Trucking Adventures – Quite A Challenge

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?

Trucking Safety: What Exactly Is The Golden Rule?

If you ask drivers what the golden rule of safety is, you’ll get a lot of different answers – and all of them are likely to be important. But let’s boil this topic down to it’s most simplest form – the one golden rule of trucking….

My Truck Driving Career – A 6 Month Review

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.

Seeing the Other Side of the Tracks as a Truck Driver

“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

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.

Enduring The Rookie Treatment In Trucking

Over the years I’ve seen a million new guys and gals come into the trucking industry with not only the wrong perceptions of what the trucking industry is like, but with the attitude that everyone better treat them like kings and queens and roll out the red carpet or they’re outta here – and I’ve seen a lot of em get outta here in a hurry. It’s tough in the beginning – there’s a lot to learn….

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

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.

Why Do Truck Drivers Do That?!?

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

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.

Dealing With Load Planners

Sometimes it can be very difficult dealing with dispatch, and especially the load planners that are behind the dispatchers. I’ve been with my husband now on a few trips and I’ve seen some of the crap that he has to go through when dealing with certain people. I’m telling’ ya……..I guess all I can say is “WOW”.

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

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…..

Returning To Trucking After Vacation: Part Two

Backing was a tough issue for me back when I was new to driving, and a situation like this one was a nightmare for me!

You’ll Know You Can Drive When……….

When you make a wrong turn onto US 119, and keep going!! The new drivers here will get road experience. I hope it’s not similiar to US 119, as I really hope you never have reason to be there.