Comments By Jeff L.

The Ontario TA and Petro are near a mall , theaters, numerous eateries and retail shops. There are a lot of little Stops here and there also.

I started with a company(still liking it) on April 20 and have been on the road since orientation the 22 of April. I was with a trainer two weeks and have been with three different trainer partners since. I have been moved up to first seat driver but have not been given a truck yet. During this phase you have to put in 40,000 miles, I am over 50,000 and am just being routed in to get a truck. My mind is playing tricks on me making me wonder if they are trying to run me off or that they may terminate me. I have done the whole thing without going home like they ask. I wonder if I upset my fm or not. They expect solo drivers to be out at least three weeks before home time and may ask to do additional runs on top of that. They ask that you take home time in the beginning of the month, slow times, though not a requirement. I plan to stay out as long as possible as a solo. It's team driving that can become difficult. I personally would not want this job if I were married or have a home life that demands attention. Myself, I don't even have a dog to feed. Hoping I will be solo when I get back to Memphis , though looking for a compatible team partner. That is hard and having ones that are not compatible can make it unbearable. I meen its me just as much as them. I like to stay upbeat and grin through it and have a hard time with complainers. Know what your getting in to. Sometimes even the drivers are not driver friendly, good luck. By the way I am 47

I have been told that they do not become useful until weather situations and jams, so at that point it would be good to carry some. Distance. I need one by winter. Had one with my trainer and could not get ahold of the vehicle that was dripping flames but was able to worn other drivers

Use a lower gear and you engine brake and stay off the brakes as much as possible. It is not uncommon to have a leak on old trailers, if it's not governing between 100 and 120-140 make sure it does not drop under 90 on either gauges. A leak will get worse so wait to make the delivery before calling in unless it is a drop. If it is drop it would be good to service it rather than leave it to the next driver. I get them all the time. You will wake up and all the air will have escaped. The truck I am in if I am on incline , 9 and engine brake is 55 at 1500 rpm , 8 and engine brake is 45 at 1500 and can allow it to climb to 1800 or 1900 as long as the engine brake is on. Lighter pedal is always best. Watch out for the super truckers who fly by, they soon will be dripping fire from their brakes. Try not to brake is my goal wether the cruise is on or slowing. Watch way ahead and use engine brake in town as it starts to thicken. Keep a distance.

I was told that hitting your tires in any form was a waste of time and that only a pressure gauge is effective. So at the pumps I use a gauge with every new trailer(old and tattered) since I have access to the air hose and when I couple to a trailer and five minute walk arounds , I shove the **** out of them to see how they react on the rim. I have found two completely dead tires doing that that look fine to the eye. Once was when changing out with my training partner who missed it doing his walk around and I did my pre trip off the clock so I had the tire fixed being it was a faulty stem valve. Most likely a slow leak and my partner had been driving on it from the time he coupled. The tire guy also put my spare in place to the outside tire that was next to it since the tread was tearing off. Three hours later I start my clock and am down the road, not on the side of it. Beat them, kick them and if you can shove them like you are wrestling them to the ground. Get to air station, check for proper inflation. The other time was a dead on the rim at a drop lot, going to Wisconsin leaving Laredo, so I got to take it to the Goodyear by the Pilot.... You know, the one by the ***** bar I have not been in yet. I did have time for a three mile jog before they had me back her in, and tacos from the stand. Little trick , I use one glove to kneel on when checking pressure if uncomfortable.

Over twenty five thousand so it's not bumpy and over eight hundred miles. Take whatever you can get though, get there as fast as you can say you did not know it was an appointment then run to the next one. Sooner of later you will get a big one. By early I mean a day at times.

Congrats! That is something to be proud of and a real achievement in this business.

Be extra careful when choosing a trainee partner. Ask questions like what kind of medications are you on? Or have you ever been psychologically evaluated?

I am not kidding! I found a great company , dry van, to get experience and even maybe spend more than one year at , even had an awesome trainer.

My first partner had to go to court so I had to team up with another. At first he seemed well spoken , clean and job oriented.

Now, well now his drugs only work half the time, he almost dropped a trailer had I not asked him if he put his Landing gear down, almost swiped two cars and did not even look over when changing two lanes doing so to get off on the exit ramp. Drives like an idiot in the rain and does not look down the road to watch traffic , braking on the back ends of cars within feet.

I tried seriously to help him with Qualcomm and how to do paper work and conserve time and in return he had shown lack of concern for anyone else by playing music beyond loud and acting like a smug **** head. He even tried to do that I am leaving you here trick thinking he is cute. This guy should not be allowed to drive a car worth a combination vehicle. It is just a matter of time before he causes an accident.

I have come to the point that I am going to not talk to him if possible and am using white noise to find some kind of separation. I promised myself I would go completely without home time and am still positive only the younger me would get away from him or put him in choke hold wake him back to ask him if he is still alive and repeat the process. I mean he is an antagonizer. TRAINEES BEWARE

I am thinking it would be best scenario to start at three a.m. if it is possible so you can drive into the morning light , get to the truck stop early and have some dark hours of sleep. Reality is take it as it comes.

You said all the right things. Level head.