Comments By Calkansan

The above links are great. Here is my personal opinions. 1) it wouldn't hurt 2) you will learn basic operation of the truck in school (pretrip). Any repairs are done by company. Mostly has to do with warranty. Most stuff I have done is change light bulbs on tractor or trailer. 3) I pull reefer. It becomes white noise that is constant. I sleep better with reefer on than dry loads. Plus, running reefer loads, I get longer runs. Growing season in cali is year round. 4) as an untested driver, the company probably won't let you take tractor home. Think about this. .... if you take it home and any damage occurs, you are responsible. If in the yard, the company is. I like the piece of mind that comes from leaving it in the yard. You can usually take hometime any where in the country. The key is asking. 5) I have Verizon 6) get inverter and have company install correctly. 2000 watts should be sufficient. Folding table to cook outside cab. Let me know when dinner is ready. I hope the information helps.

Darn. Studying for HM endorsement and missed the thread. In california, if you have your license over a year and want to add endorsement, you have to take all the tests again. Sucks. Oh well, back to the high road.

I don't think you have any worries. I have my cdl through the Redding office 2 1/2 years ago. I received my permit and endorsements before I started school. The school scheduled me at the dmv for first appointment. It happened to be 6 weeks away. It gave me plenty of time to work on pretrip and skills. Each office is different. I would call the office where you are scheduled to test and confirm. Then you know for sure. The unknown is stressful enough. Good luck.

2 examples of big dog thinking; 1) last load 750 miles. PU weds 1200, deliver 1500 Friday. I call dm. Can I drop in yard and have local deliver so I can keep running? He replies, drop in yard by noon on thurs, deliver a local load (43 miles) and I will make sure you have a good load Friday. Ok, done. Thanks to my dm, I am on a 2100 mile run. I should finish week with 3100. 2) I bought pizza for my dm and had delivered. But instead of 1 pie, I ordered 5. Now all the dm's know my name and truck #. I have been driving for 2 1/2 years. My first year I made 48k. My goal was 35. I have learned the system and apply it to my advantage. My starter company is still the company I work for. It is a good fit for me. I can't imagine doing otr for another company. I'm curious, can anyone name a company that is not in business to make a profit. A worker can only be exploited if they allow it. I wish you the best of luck.

I did 8 ua's my first year. I was the lucky "guy" whose number kept coming up. Having been in Christian education for previous 15 years, I wasn't worried. Don't do it and beware of being around friends who might tempt you.

I drive for may and they have a guarantee pay option. Also a plus, they have a yard in Payette. Information is knowledge and knowledge is power.

Beware of the "surge"

Hey Daniel, how do you like working for williams? I ask because I have been doing OTR for 2 1/2 years now and am thinking being home every night is sounding pretty good. Thanks.

Day One by Matthew West

GPS is always fun around construction. In Dallas, my gps always thinks I am off the interstate and tries it's best to reroute me back. My advice to new drivers, always follow company directions until you know the area really well. Use Google maps, earth, and gps. They are all tools to help you become a better driver.