Comments By Fire Marshal Bill

OMG! You guys are nuts! ROFLMFAO!

Back to the original post:

If you want to stay OTR then I would recommend against a relationship starting out.

The stress of driving a truck and then adding the stress of a relationship sounds like a nuclear bomb assembly plant.

It doesn't take long to get a local or regional job in my experience. I have just under 2 years experience and have a job where I'm home every night, off on weekends and holidays.

Just be mindful of the other persons feelings about you being gone all the time... it takes a toll.

Happy Birthday Trucking Truth!

Thanks Brett for making such a welcoming and informative site for new truckers.

You are the only person who can say when you feel safe to drive and when you don't.

When I was OTR I had two 45lb Olympic plates, a Olympic bar 45lbs, two 35lbs kettle bells, powe band and a jump rope. I worked out when I stopped for the night and jumped rope at shippers/receivers because it was easy to take out and put away.

Now I do local and just have the jump rope. Very effective workout.

1 minute jumping rope 1 minute rest At the end of the twenty minutes you'll be exhausted.

Cut it in half in the beginning then try to work up to 60 minutes if you can.

Simplest thing for truckers wanting to get in shape

KLLM, Werner and Knight. I drove for all three.

I didn't know KLLM had gone to the automatic...interesting.

Yep. Not all of the trucks. My trainer's rig was a 10-speed Frieghtliner.

My issued rig after training was a brand new Volvo automatic. Less than 750 miles on it.

Very nice truck!

What model Volvo?

VNL 780. Driver seat had massage feature so you weren't so stiff after a long day.

Awesome truck!

KLLM, Werner and Knight. I drove for all three.

I didn't know KLLM had gone to the automatic...interesting.

Yep. Not all of the trucks. My trainer's rig was a 10-speed Frieghtliner.

My issued rig after training was a brand new Volvo automatic. Less than 750 miles on it.

Very nice truck!

KLLM, Werner and Knight. I drove for all three.

I make the same. Just flat hourly. 8-12 hrs per day Mon -Fri.

Is it for time driving/on duty?

How much are you being paid per hour?

I work a hourly in running ports and I'm home every night.

Check with your DM and ask questions because this doesn't sound like hourly to me.

KLLM, WERNER and KNIGHT have automatics and sticks.

I would recommend learning how to properly drive a stick as it will help your future prospects for employment.

I love the automatics because there is less fatigue at the end of the day and you can switch it to manual shifting with your thumb. You can also downshift going down hill. It also feels safer.

Downside...

There is a lag before the power transfers to the drives and reversing with a loaded trailer can sometimes be a chore depending on where you are docking. Rapidly slowing down is also an issue with the power transfer lag. You will have to think a Lot further ahead for an automatic than a stick in my opinion.

Learn the stick first though and transition to the automatics later.