Comments By David L.

I'm almost 63. Retired from the USAF then spent about 20 years in various IT jobs. I sacrificed a bit in the service but couldn't find the satisfaction in IT and moved around a bit. I have a degree but it never got me the big payday. My kids are grown and my wife fully supports me in choosing trucking. I team with my eldest son and I'm making a much better average check than when I worked IT, even with some OT. This won't be a lifetime career for me, but with my wife's excellent salary and my income we are working at being debt free in a couple of years...including mortgage. I miss being home more and so far this year have missed my wife's birthday, Mothers Day, and will miss our anniversary week after next. But, WE decided the $$$ and me getting to do something different is worth the sacrifices.

We bought a 12v fridge and keep protein drinks and cold cuts in there. Subway 6" subs and sakad bars or prepared sakads help. We both use our phones and pandora for tunes. We've though of investing in SiriusXM but haven't gone there yet. We both use ATT for phone/data and its served us well. Sean has the old true unlimited data and I uograded the plan for my wife and me and actually saved a few bucks and get roll over data. We are looking at a wifi hotspot and haven't decided. I use my iPhone hotspot for now but only occasionally. We try to watch what we spend but we are making pretty good money so it's not something we agonize over. We just bought a new radiator cap for the truck, glad hand locks and another kingpin lock that the company doesn't have keys to (funny story but suffice to say we are not planning on losing ab empty at the terminal if we can help it!)

Trucks vary, too. Our KW T680 10-speed periodically kicks my butt. I'll go fine for hours, get to an exit for a fuel stop/break and seem to forget everything I know! I don't float much but catch my self sliding into gear with a single clutch push. I was worried about my test out at Memphis as I knew I'd be using their truck, but that old Freightshaker treated me right. It's all practice and learning your truck.

I love the 55 mph truck limit...makes for some tedious driving. Love the food trucks!!

The ugliest, so far, was at a Trans-shipper in Laredo. Narrow Lane between the docks and empties and trucks staged, too. We have a KW T680 and 53' vans. Sean was spotting and then two local drivers stepped up to help...one in the slot and the other at my window. No paint was swapped but don't let anyone tell you 1 or 2 foot pull-ups are useless. It's often a game of inches. Two poultry plants in CA were challenging, too, due to narrow serpentine drives and fork lifts!! We have had some really tight u-turn situations when sent down the wrong drive or find a one way gate...

I tested out at Memphis. A quick drive out if the terminal and a few left/right turns and back to the terminal. We then navigated back to the trailer boneyard and I did a u-turn, a couple if sharp close turns, and then used a pre-positioned truck to pull out and do an alley docking maneuver between a couple of trailers. Pretty east, but the evaluator says he gets a lot of backing failures...

We picked up a Koolatron on sale at a truck stop. Really doe the job. We are looking for a front door model that will fit into the space for a refrigerator and then use the current one fir the driver. Be aware tattoo need to turn off or unplug if you'll be stopped a while. These will drain the batteries.

Eckoh, I'm considering SWIFT. What are your thoughts about the over the road mentor training?

I'll add my 2¢ on my mentor. He is a Swift Platinum level driver. Very patient. Even on the team phase when I was going to make a P/U or Del he made sure to be up, watching.

The part you need to get used to is you both use the bottom bunk. Make your bed (literally!) accordingly. Don't get all weirded out about sleeping in the same sheets. Your mentor probably has done all this before and will tell you.

Errol V, sounds like good training. Are your driving hours and maneuvers recorded during the mentoring phase? To be honest, I hadn't looked at SWIFT until recently, but I'm really starting to think they might be a good option. Thanks for the feedback.

I'm currently in my mentor training. Yes, there is a checklist for recording your progress. Backs are recorded separately. The mentor reports about weekly to the training coordinator at your terminal. You will report progress and problems, too, on a regular basis. You will be given the training coordinator's direct number.

Who do you all drive for?

I'm with Swift.

David, I sent you a PM.

Got it and replied! Small world!