Comments By Chris L.

First I will get this out of the way "TruckingTruth need we say more"

I looked at the logos but didnt vote. I know some think the look is the most important thing but I am of the mindset that the information inside a website is more important than what it looks like. But thats just me. I do have to say the dude in the T shirt kinda made me laugh. I know you guys always talk about staying in shape, but...really? How many truckers look like that? I dont think that T shirt would fit a 1/16th of us. Maybe Daniel could fit in it. Me? I'll need an extra large please. Oh yeah and a pocket for my smokes :)

Chris, I checked out that question you were referring to and I'm afraid you also missed the word except.

Yes sir I went and checked to. How sad one silly word can just mess everything up. Thanks for all you do Brett this is a great study tool. I plan to take my test tomorow and I dont know how I could even have close to the confidence I do now without this study guide. Thanks so much!

Brett, I am finally doing the whole HRTP. I have been halted! The nerve of this darn computer. Its on the question for right side backing. It keeps telling me that you should back to the right so you can keep your window up in inclemate wheather. Now I may not be the smartest but I dont think that would be the reson for anything we do :). I was about to email you and cuss you out, just kidding I dont understand why any one would cuss you out for helping them or just making a simple mistake but people are wierd. Anyway, I came here to read alittle bit before emailing you. Low and behold here is a thread on errors. And there is GuyJax missing the word except. A simple word realy, but a very large word. Now I think I am right and there is a defect in the test/quiz. I have read the question at least ten times and it doesnt say except......after Guyjax made the mistake I am rethinking my rightness. Darn you Guyjax you always get stuff right. Well back I go to read a little closer, ugggg. I want to thank you for the HRTP it is great! Even if there is one question in there that is wrong, or might be wrong, or that I didnt read properly. We used to say measure twice cut once, now I guess it is read 11 times answer once.

Brett I agree with what you were saying in the beging of your post, then the same old thing came out, I want more because you have more, then I agreed again. I am not saying your wrong in any of it. I agree with what has happened with corprate America 100%. The problem now is that it isnt like it was before. Ex. Most if not all companies were owned by one or two people. Some would take care of their employes. The owners made more maoney and enjoyed a great life. Unions helped the works. They were for the workers, by the workers. Now most companies are owned by a huge corp. There is just no one person to go after. Think of Apple, as you mentioned, can you imagine if everyone(all the workers) walked out on strike? Apple would laugh. Plenty of new workers who need a job. They could out last any strike. Unions dont care about the workers they care about themselves. Case in point Hostess. Now I cant even get a twinky. I like Jim dont have the answers. I can only look around and see that my daughter is in big trouble and she doesnt even know it. Oppertunity is gone. She is in college to be a teacher. She can look forward to about 20 grand a year. Again I live in the South. A degree and teaching our young getting 20 grand. The kids that make it through high school have no where to go work. Factories are gone. We had the textile mills down here, now their gone. Steel and manufacturing up north. Gone. Not everyone can go to college and be a lawyer or doctor. Prices rise wages fall. You can remove your sunglasses, the future doesnt look bright at all. But I can say we all in the same boat and all we can do is keep bailing.

Good job Guy. I was thinking the same thing Joba was.

But sense TTM brought it up, "they" have been coming up with some stupid stuff latley, forever really. I used to tell guys that worked for me there is one thing you dont want and thats to get paid what your worth. Most of them werent worth crap. Anyway, with all these new rules, higher minimum wage, and now the salary people have to get paid overtime at some rediculous rate, what does that do for the truckers? Does that mean they will just cut your hours? You know no one is going to agree to pay more. Everytime "they" come up with something to help the worker it just costs the worker more.

I used to make $3.35 a hour. Minimum wage 1983. The old man made somewhere in the 50 grand a year range. I paid for my own insurance, registration, gas oh yeah and car. I still had money for beer, smokes, and impressing the ladies( well at least being able to take them to a movie) The old man built a 4 bedroom house, drove a new car a few years, raised three kids giving us everything we needed, not wanted just needed, and had money to put towards a retirement. He used to tell me that he was a big shot because he had a hundred bucks in his pocket (not bragging to me just saying over a few beers a while back) Smokes .70 a pack, milk .99 all day long and that was at the convienence store, gas .60- .70 a gallon.

Now minimum wage is what 7.50? Smokes 5 to 7 bucks, milk darn near $5, Gas 3.11, I live in SC so I dont want to hear about your rip off prices in CA Daniel B. Ive been there I always make sure I bring my own smokes.

After all that peopl dont get it. Make the minimum wage 15 bucks a hour. Sure why not? The hell with it make it 20. That way you can feel good that you make so much money. Glad to hear you will feel better. Then gas will be $10 a gallon, smokes 15 bucks a pack, milk? Well lets just say I will be drinking more water.

Minimum wage is not a lifestyle it is a start. You are suppose to move up from there. Prove yourself. Make more as you go. As in trucking you have to start at the bottom and work your way up. They dont pay .50 pm when you get your first job. Prove yourself and you make more. If your a loser you sit at the low rate.

It amazes me that people who flip burgers and smoke dope are *****in about not making enough money and even stike. Yet I never here anyone complaining that a young Airman, soldger (never can spell that), Marine, or seaman has to be on food stamps to survive. Nope lets cut more from the military. Ask anyone if they make enough. Even Donald Trump will say he doesnt make enough. Get over it! Work harder, move up and you will make more.

Sorry guys and girls. Thats Chris' rant for the morning. Be carefull out there. There are pleanty of idiots on the road, please dont be one of them :)

Steven I have to jump in here. Like you I am not a pill popper. I dont even do pain pills. I have had two different surgeries, minor ones, the first thing they did was give me Percaset (spelling) and lower tabs. Trash as far as I'm concered. I never took any of them. I did just fine. I know some need it but I just dont want any more habbits than I already have. I also have high blood pressure. I have ignored it for years. I stopped using salt and what ever else they said I should do. In the end when I went for my annual they wouldnt let me out of the doctors office. 166/120something. Not good. I started out with just what I call a pee pill. It brought it down for awhile, but again you had to take it everyday. I am not good at pills, then throw in there everyday! Come on. I dont need that crap! Yeah right. Again they wouldnt let me leave the doctors office. I am now taking something else, a combo pill. Almost everyone I talk to has high blood pressure. Thats called getting older, and being a type 1 personality. I have given in and take my pill everyday. I dont miss em ever. I am dow to about 133/88 Not great but way better. No side effects. Anything you do to just pass the test is going to help for the moment. The effects of hypertention is nothing but bad. I am sure your doc has told you all of them. I suggest you take the pills, lower your salt and enjoy life a few more years :) Sit back, have a good old German beer and realize if high blood pressure is the worst that has happened your are doing great! Good luck brother.

Just a thought Brett, could you make a photos page? So we could all view the pics that folks sent in. Or would it just be on the persons page. Either way, great idea.

Daniel it is just so nice to hear someone who has found the perfect job for them. Thanks you give us all hope :)

Roadkill please keep us up to date on your training. I was going to go to a school around the house but after reading several things here and talking to some drivers it seems that I may just go with a company school. I am very interested in Prime and would love to hear what you think as you go thru. I dont retire from the AF until May so I have some time, although it is coming up fast. Daniel is experianced so I am just curious on your thoughts as a newbie. It never fun being the FNG. Thanks and good luck!

Daniel I am so happy for you. It is so nice to hear someone that is so happy with a disision they made. That being said, i have a few questions. What made you go to Prime? Do they hire newbies? I have no need for home time but have to ask, hows the hometime? I believe, just like most say on here, that the reason they treat you so well is because you have the attitude that you are there for them. I wish you all the luck in the world! Please keep telling us about your experience its a pleasure hearing the good things. Be safe.

I have a question for you, You hate smoking like so many others. I get it, the new rule in our great country is its all about me. You have no tolerence for smokers. Ok got it. Now you go to school and manage to **** off 3/4 of your class and most of your instructors with your "its all about me" attitude. But you pass with flying colors. You get the job of your dreams with the only company you ever wanted to work for. Now your trainer/mentor hops in the truck says ok Jr. lets get the show on the road. You are grinning ear to ear just full of excitement. Then he lites up a smoke. What now? I will be having a smoke while I wait.

Good luck bro. I really mean that. As Bret says this job is great but it can suck to. You have to be flexibale, others dont.You are the FNG. They have been doing this for years. You are entering thier world. Dont get caught up in changing it so quickly.