Tag Archives: hard lessons learned

Truck Driving in Winter Weather

Posted on January 19, 2010 by TruckerMike

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 →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, Great Stories, Safe Driving Tips | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Randy’s Phase 1 CDL Training – Part 9 – He’s Done!

Posted on January 6, 2010 by rbradyjohnsen

I talked to Randy sooo much today.  We discussed EVERYTHING about trucking, the school, our experience so far, every aspect of our future, and how we’ve both been sort of “cracking under the pressure” lately. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories, Rhonda & Randy's Story | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Randy’s Phase 1 Training – Part 8

Posted on December 23, 2009 by rbradyjohnsen

I keep reading that the 2 most important factors for a successful marriage, especially in OTR trucking, are trust and communication…this week, we had neither one.  I suppose the added stress of all this didn’t help, and we both had a major thinking/behavior relapse.  This career truly does test a relationship, and any weakness that existed before WILL be magnified 1000 times. 
Continue reading →

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Randy’s Phase 1 CDL Training – Part 3

Posted on November 30, 2009 by rbradyjohnsen

It’s been a few days for Randy on the road now and I think he’s getting a bit wacky :-) He’s struggling with some things but doing quite well overall. Being apart this long is not getting any easier for us. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, First Solo Months On The Road, On The Road In Training, Rhonda & Randy's Story | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My 33rd Anniversary In Transportation

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Rhonda

October 27 2009 is a special day for me because it was October 27 1976 when I entered the transportation world. My only experience in this world was riding the school bus for all the years in school. What an amazing journey it’s been. Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Current State of the Trucking Industry, Great Stories, Women In Trucking | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Advice For Couples Regarding Truck Driving

Posted on November 19, 2009 by rbradyjohnsen

The reason I’m sharing our personal experiences with this is to help people understand the truly tension-packed environment at truck driving school, and how it may affect your spouse. Everyone’s marriage is different, so everyone’s experience will be unique, but there will be common issues for sure. And things will pop up that you never even considered. I’m being completely, 100% honest here, because I don’t think glossing over the tough stuff would be very helpful! Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Rhonda & Randy's Story | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Advice For Truck Driving School Students

Posted on November 17, 2009 by rbradyjohnsen

This is a summary of what I’ve learned from many experienced truckers on TruckingTruth, plus the perspective I’ve gained as my husband went through the classroom training during August-September, 2009.
Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Rhonda & Randy's Story | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

My Overweight Ticket

Posted on November 1, 2009 by Rhonda

Sometimes you’re put in a position as a driver where you just can’t win. One day I was leaving the shipper with a heavy load and was pulled over to see if my weight was legal. Problem was, I never got a chance to weight it myself – they nailed me on the way to the scale. What is a driver supposed to do? Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, Great Stories, Stories of the Road, truck driving lifestyle, Women In Trucking | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Regulation and Scrutiny Of Truck Drivers Increasing Steadily

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Brett Aquila

The number of Federal Rules and Regulations for truck drivers and trucking companies has continuously increased over the years, along with stricter enforcement both on and off the highways. A recent announcement by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration shows that there will be even greater scrutiny just around the corner. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Randy’s Truck Driving School – Day 6

Posted on October 26, 2009 by rbradyjohnsen

Randy was all excited and relieved to tell me that, early in the day, he passed his backing test on the first try. He was nervous, so he did lose 2 points (could miss 12 and pass). He’s been backing trailers (on and off over the years) since he was 16, but said that being trained in proper techniques has increased his confidence. He said the thing he misses most about home is “me making dinner”. What??? Shouldn’t he have just said “me”? The thing I miss most, at least right now, is just being able to sleep. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Rhonda & Randy's Story, Truck Driving School Day-By-Day, Week 1 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Randy At Truck Driving School – Day 1

Posted on October 20, 2009 by rbradyjohnsen

Well, I spoke to Randy for nearly an hour last night about his first full day at truck driving school, and it was over a 12-hour marathon starting at 7 am. Ha, he thinks I’m a genius now for all the research I’ve done! Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Rhonda & Randy's Story, Truck Driving School Day-By-Day, Week 1 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crazy Bus Ride to Truck Driving School

Posted on October 19, 2009 by rbradyjohnsen

I am writing this for anyone who, like I was, is wondering what it may be like to ride a Greyhound Bus to Truck Driving School. My first piece of advice would be to try to spend that last time that you have together relaxing and enjoying it. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories, On The Road In Training, Rhonda & Randy's Story, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

New Truck Drivers: Beware of Rocking The Boat

Posted on October 18, 2009 by Brett Aquila

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. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

I Want Out Of Trucking As A Driver

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Rhonda

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. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, Women In Trucking | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Recent Trucking Adventures – Quite A Challenge

Posted on October 6, 2009 by TruckerMike

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 →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, Great Stories, Stories of the Road, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments