Comments By 87Wrangler

Utah rest area

All of my photos go to my profile regardless of what I do

Vail Pass is no joke...made it back the the yard Saturday stayed about 4 hours and headed back out to make the exact same trip...In Utah now...was able to drive all the way across Wyoming today and finished with 621 miles and 31 minutes left in my drive clock

Yes it was I am whipped, luckily we deliver a couple hundred miles away and back out so it shouldn’t be that bad at 55, out trucks are governed at 65 anyway

Just pulled into the flying j at the border of CA....I am exhausted but made it 641 miles today.

All aspects of shifting have improved greatly today...came in with 618 miles today with about 45 minutes left on my drive clock. I am tired but loving it. Just showered and heading to bed, will post photos soon. Just outside of AZ. Heading south on 15 into CA. tomorrow

Hello guys first day out headed to California, somewhere in South Dokota....I was able to drive 603 miles today. Getting ready to crash...long day shifting is becoming like second nature, still a few hiccups but am doing it now without thinking about it much of the time...

Thank you Anne, I will change my status and yes when my friend got sick he was a few weeks away from his second booster and apologized for giving me what he had...He had other things going on as well but seems too ironic to not speculate what ultimately led to his death. So on a positive note just got back from training today where I secured and tarped my first load...I must say I like flat bed a lot so far. Tomorrow we are taking an oversized load with my trainer about 300 miles away and was told I am leaving with a trainer on Sunday for California...Woo hoo never been outside of my home state much, so this will be exciting...The company has been wonderful to me, and the training pay is phenomenal!! I think I have found my home. It’s easy when you are working with fair people who have integrity. All of the hard work is finally starting to reap its rewards!!

I posted a couple photos of the transmission tear out but they went to my profile photos for some reason instead of the post....

Hello Everyone, Especially Anne her family and packrat!! I finally made it back....but not without the usual and not so usual setbacks. My transmission fell out about 5 hours into my trip back. Thankfully it was close to my home town so I knew were to go for parts. The case cracked causing it to chew the governor gear off leaving me with only 1st at about 8 mph. Finally found a case in Greenville SC and got it back to find the tail shaft was too short, so I did what anyone would do tore it down on the side of the road and fixed it....First time to tear a complete transmission apart and reassemble it, got it back together and installed it worked great but funds were low, so a friend asked me to help him because he could find no help. So I agreed to help for a short time to build back funds...

My third and final week he told me on wed. he did not feel well and Friday I was the same...we both got very sick for about 6 months and I am sorry to say that he passed away! I am still taken back by all of it, but the Lord decided to let me live. It took me about two months to get about 80% of my strength back after the high fever, losing 55 lbs, ect. I was so sick that I no longer smoke cigarettes, still cannot smell or taste anything except on occasion. So packrat, I finally ran into something that I could not fix quickly and keep on going. I am Sorry I lost a 37 year friend, but thankful I am still here. Needless to say my employer was not happy, even after telling me to take care of what I have to and just give us a 3 day notice before returning. I found out on Tuesday last week that they no longer want me stating that this is a service oriented time sensitive business and that I must know nothing about that or on time delivery. I was blown away to say the least after keeping my word to come back and not just using them to get my cdl's and leave them high and dry, but it is ok, my trust is completely in the Lord. So after the shock set in I sought their advice to find a directory they mentioned and went to look for it, the lady at the store they sent me to had no idea what I was referring to, but when she found out I was looking for a job asked for my number, I was reluctant but gave it to her anyway.

It took over two thirds of my saving to make it all the way back up here, but do have my camper back at least with no problem. I like the guys who trained me, actually felt as though they were more than co workers, professional friends so to speak, but things happen and like I said my trust is completely in the Lord. I am no longer beholding to them. So the back to the nice lady I met my first day back looking for a job directory...Well she happened to refer me to a local trucking co. who not only called me the next morning but hired me that same day. I had to take a test drive in a peterbuilt 13spd which is all new to me. I was only in a volvo million miler 10 spd for the most part and one new volvo auto. So to say I was put on the spot in a do or die situation is lightly put to say the least. I was sweating bullets almost had an anxiety attack I think never had one but it felt like I was in fight or flight mode!! lol

When we go back he was honest and told me I know nothing, backed in good, hunted gears, cut the first corner short but did not hit anything. I could tell I was catching onto the 13spd. the shift pattern just made more sense to me for some reason plus the love of driving a big rig was coming back quick. I cannot believe how rusty I was so quickly. On Friday I took the drug test, my medical card was good and would have went to the same place anyway for a new one so he accepted it. Went through orientation Monday and was told today the drug test was back, and would probably start moving trailers this weekend and until the trainer returns next week to make a run with him. I am actually going to be able to learn flatbed, do dry van or both if I wish, with a good increase in my original mileage rate of pay. I am so thankful that the Lord put me in the right place at the right time, with the right people. During orientation one of the owners even brought me frozen hamburger and kielbasa sausage to make sure I did not go hungry until I started getting paid...Honestly I had to fight back the tears at that point. Please help me pray that I can do well, and become the best employee that I can be for the Lord, my family, and my employer. Thank you all again for your help along the way, sorry for the delay, all of this time I was still fighting the good fight and not giving up on my dreams of becoming a professional truck driver. Actually I am just getting started!!!