Randy was SO excited the last time I talked to him because after a change of plans, he and his trainer are now going to Mira Loma, CA first. And they get to drive past Las Vegas at night, which sounds really cool! He knows he’s going to be working really hard and be busy learning new things, but there is a “vacation” element to this, for him.

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.

Sometimes you have these days and nights of skill testing if you drive a semi. I did not have a leisurely drive to Fort Smith as I normally do. I couldn’t just relax, enjoy the drive, and drink my coffee. This was not meant to be. I had to work to stay safe and keep others safe too on this trip.

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?

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.

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.

“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.

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.

Everyone has their own version of what a truck driver looks and acts like (and sometimes what they might smell like). I’m even guilty of having an image of what a truck driver is. Although, once I became a driver, that all changed.

It’s been a while since my last blog, and my on-the-road training is complete. Here’s a recap of what training was like, and the return home to my family.

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”.

I am just thrilled to know about this and the new adventure given to me.    Soon I am on my way and not looking forward to this blocking of a busy 4 lane highway while I back into a dock.  Backing is still not my best thing.  I’m going to have lots of  4-wheelers upset with me.  That’s OK as they upset me daily too!

There are some nights when you don’t want to be in the truck. Then there are some nights when you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world at that paticular moment.

In the movie classic “Wizard of Oz” the good witch Glenda tells Dorothy to click the heels of her red shoes together three times and say “There’s no place like home”. The movie ends with Dorothy waking up in her bed surrounded by worried family members…well, my training time is over, and I’m going home.

I remember hearing truck driver’s talk about the comrodary amongst themselves. It seems like years ago. Oh yeah, it was! How they used to wave when passing by. Some still do, but the young “bucks” (newbie’s) haven’t gotten the teachings from the “old timers” that have been around the block a few times.