Another observation I’ve made is how you never know what’s going to happen next. If you like your set 9 to 5 every day with a specific schedule and weekends off, truck driving is probably the worst career for you. Will your truck break down in the middle of nowhere? Will your dispatcher call up and say you need to switch loads with somebody? Will your next load be 100 miles or 1,000 miles? Do you need to deliver at 6am or 6pm? What state will you be in tomorrow? Will it be hot or cold where your going? Will the receiver unload you right away, or will you need to wait 6 hours before they touch anything? When will I get some home time? So many unknowns. I love it. Live by the moment and take each change in stride. If you need to know what’s going to happen next, run away from this career. It’s great for a select few though. If you’re one of those people who can easily adapt to changes and live by the moment, this career will be great for you.
I also discovered that driving through the Ozarks in Missouri is no picnic! Holy smokes! I’ve already been through the southern Rockies, but I think the Ozarks in Missouri were an even bigger challenge! Twists and turns, up hill, downhill, going 70mph one minute, then crawling up a hill at 20mph the next. I really enjoyed the challenge, but had an extra grip on the steering wheel! It was very unexpected. Problem is, in a truck, you need that momentum on the downhills to get up hill. But where do you think the cops sit? You got it, right at the bottom of the hills. Speed management is the name of the game. I missed a down shift going up a very steep incline (I think it was a 6 percent grade). Missing a shift on that big of an incline will slow you down big time, and it sure slowed me down. The guy behind me hopped on the CB to yell at me, but when I told him I was new he suddenly became quite friendly and began offering me advice. Turned out to be a really nice guy. My point is, when you’re new, expect the unexpected. I would have never guessed Eastern Missouri would have been such a challenge to drive!
Adding onto my truck stop post, the truck stops I’ve been to recently have been pretty calm. No lot lizards, nobody selling anything, just a place to park, fuel, take a shower, and eat. The showers have all been pretty nice. But I could see how certain people wouldn’t like them. Every shower I’ve had I’ve left feeling clean, so that’s good enough for me. I could see how a lot of people would complain about the facilities, but I think they serve their purpose. Most of the shower rooms aren’t much to look at. That’s for sure. However, they are clean, secure (deadbolt locks, etc). have hot water, and good pressure. That’s all you really need, right? When I run across a nasty one, I’ll write about it. I’m sure they are out there. I just haven’t been to one yet.
All in all, I’m having a ton of fun out here. My trainer is a great guy and we get along very well. Seeing this country is what I wanted to do, and I’m certainly getting that chance. I’ve already travelled as far west as California and as far East as Michigan. My trainer has a feeling Florida will be next. And since we’re entering the produce season, he thinks we’ll be making a lot of California to Baltimore and back runs. How awesome is that!?!
Well, tomorrow we have to be on the road by 5am, so it’s time for some sleep!
Until next time, drive safely!
TruckerMike
Please show TruckingTruth some luv now people! :-)
Give this page a +1:
Find More At TruckingTruth:
Hey, why don't ya head on over to our facebook page and 'like us' to get updates on our latest content, ask us questions, and meet others that are new to trucking? We highly recommend it :-) |
I remember driving through the Ozarks, too. Your blogs are forcing memories to the front, Trucker Mike! And if you happen to travel through the St. Louis area, there is a fuel stop across the interstate from Six Flags that used to have sandwiches that were thicker than my hands! And they tasted great!!
Wow, TruckerMike!!
Not long ago you were wondering where your mind was at going thru school to drive a truck and wondering if you ever get used to the truck/trailer that is 1 mile long. Now I am reading how RELAXING this is for you and what a blast you are having! Sure have come a long way and I’m cheering you on too.
I was only in 20 states, but each state has something to offer the motoring public. I think most of us sterotype a state to what we have seen on TV or what we think a state is. And those hills in eastern Missouri are awesome!! In a semi, you can see more of that country at a slower pace! Yup, those hills are not nice to big trucks. Maybe it was my load each time I passed thru.
Glad to know all is going well. Keep the stories coming!
Sounds like you’re enjoying yourself truckermike. I hope I can say the same in about a year, when I plan to have my CDL. I have a feeling the real fun will start when the trainer leaves the truck for good. Keep up the great writing and trucking man.
Tumbleweed: I’ll have to keep that in mind! It sounds like we’ll be going through there a lot! Glad I can help bring up memories past!
Rhonda: Yeah now that you mention it, I really have made a ton of progress! I was terriied the first couple days driving a truck, and now I’m relaxed? How did that happen?!?
Jim: I’m having an absolute blast right now. I hope it continues once the “newness” wares off. And yeah, while I have a fantastic trainer, I can’t wait to get my own truck. That is going to be awesome! Thanks for following along!