Comments By Spanky FKA A.Meggs

Thanks Rolling Thunder, so I'm thinking 12 volt is bad idea. Unless I just want to toss a few bills to the wind :)

Wait I almost forgot, that figure is more than I'm making right now as I sit and wait for a few companies to make a choice and take a chance on me. So yeah go ahead and tell them u have a replacement waiting.

Boy oh boy, I can't wait to be behind the wheel, but instead of spending my time worrying about what is not going right I think I will spend my time taking those chitty loads, making the best of what they gave me, try to make things better not only for the company I work for but also my family. It's funny how some of us "can't wait to get there" wannabes really are hoping for a shot, a chance to prove ourselves to the company that took a chance on us "less than perfect" people. I'm starting to think maybe I should just stay home, after all hell I might just suck too :) now that I think about it I'm almost certain I am going to suck considering I have never driven anything as massive, never had to organize umpteen loads for thousands of people and other than this site, ALOT of research and what I remember from pops when he was around driving, ummmmm yep I'm probably gonna suck. But what I will do is put my BIG BOY pants on, drive my @** off and make the BEST of my choice. Hopefully if it's not wgat I think IS the best other doors will open. So that being said, if u don't like it slide your @$$ out of the seat (the exit is on the left) and PLEASE tell Shnieder to give me a call. Cause again, I CAN'T WAIT TO BE BEHIND THE WHEEL. My opinion and mine alone.

Erroll, i remember going on trips with the old man to luisianna couple times a year, drove tanker hauling caustic acid mostly to paper plants as well as white/black liquor within the state and states around our border so he was home most nights. Day cab white gmc mostly, but that's what we usually had to do, straight to the bottle. Just can't really remember what happen for #2, paper logs then so I am sure we stopped. As far as cooking sounds about same as camping, improvise when needed and wash your tools the best u can.

I use a crock pot also. I have had about three of the 12 volt models available at truck stops. But I personally think they are not designed to hold up for serious cooking. They are fine for warming up canned soup or such as that, but if you want to cook a chicken or some some smothered pork chops like I do then you need that thing to be cooking for five or six hours. I wore out the heating elements in the 12 volt ones. I finally just got a cheap 120 volt model from Wal-Mart and plug it into an inverter while cruising down the road - works great and the smell will drive you nuts on some days. I cook several versions of jambalaya and some meat and vegetable dishes, and also some great homemade soups with it. When cooking rice for the jambalaya dishes you need to use converted rice for it to cook properly. I also will do some cooking when I'm home and divide the meal up into one serving size portions and freeze them in some small tupperware containers. Then I will take some of them on the road with me (stored in my small refrigerator) and drop it in the crock-pot for an easy economical yet delicious meal that seems like home cooking.

That's what I was thinking for the most part but of course I could only take a few as space I'm sure would be limited. thinkIng its time to look up some one pot meals. I'm a suckered for roast and potatoes out the crock pot and if u freeze that with the juice it can be better than fresh out the pot. starting to think maybe I can manage without spending alot. And of course no stirring the pot while driving :)

I usually cook in a crock pot and/or heat in a microwave when running truck load. No frying and no flames for me.

As for the restroom thing, Errol has it right.

crazy as it sounds that actually never came to mind :) and who doesn't love a good crock pot meal, black eye peas with dumplings, ham chunks abd rice just may become my best bud. Just have to be careful with those beans

Cooking: Fry pan inside is not a good idea - no ventilation. Though the idea of a bacon fragrance all the time might sound good, try to keep the inside clean. I have heard of drivers that might cook on the cat walk. You will find mini-stoves running on propane at truck stops. (Walmart can get you a better price!). Flame, in my opinion, always packs better heat than electric. Spread your carbon footprint and use disposable paper plates, etc, or recycle plastic/melamine, and just wipe them off with a wet-wipe. Or, just "batch" it, and eat out of a can.

I don't cook while I'm on the road. Sandwiches, cold cuts, etc. keep me full. I have managed to warm up chili and soups by setting a can next to the bunk heater vent. Not the best idea in places like Corpus Christi, TX, in the summertime.

Personal business: No. 1: Bladder sizes vary. Some can make it, some need a relief. Many drivers keep an empty juice or Gatorade bottle handy. Remember this, though: "fresh" urine can be simply poured out, hopefully on grass/dirt. Leaving it in the bottle, it actually becomes classified as hazardous waste. No. 2: Well, let's just not (ahem) go there in the cab.

I remember going on trips with the old man to luisianna couple times a year, drove tanker hauling caustic acid mostly to paper plants as well as white/black liquor within the state and states around our border so he was home most nights. Day cab white gmc mostly, but that's what we usually had to do, straight to the bottle. Just can't really remember what happen for #2, paper logs then so I am sure we stopped. As far as cooking sounds about same as camping, improvise when needed and wash your tools the best u can.

So as I am working to get my "foot in the door" I have had alot of friends and family ask about eating (although I'm thinking of cooking in cab if possible to save my hard earned money) as well as potty time. It seems to me alot of you use George Foremans and skillets but my main concern is the best way to go about keeping everything clean. I'm certain "fine China" is a big part of the in cab cooking budget but last I checked GF and skillets aren't made of plastic :) Sorry to bring this up after getting your belly grunting but next would be natures calling. Of course we all want to keep the wheels and miles rolling but when u REALLY have to go and can't stop. I'm all ears first any tips, tricks of the trade or ideas that come to mind. I am an excellent cook at home and I'm sure I can be otr (at least I think I could do as good as alot of truck stops, and I've heard of course everything starts tasting the same) Also open for any quick meals that come to mind. Thanks to you all and be safe.

Thanks y'all. I'm thinking if I jump in Company sponsored training is the way I'll go. Just wish everything wasn't so far from my little hometown. Asheville and Fletcher have schools, it's the upfront cost that gets me right away.

I appreciate y'all letting me take a little bit of ya time!

BTW a lot of company sponsored programs won't cost u any money to start. Aside from (depending what program) the money you will need to eat off of r nit but during your school. After that, again depending which program, you will be getting paid even as your in training. I'm not sure if u have already but search for company sponsored on this site. Ton of info there and reviews for each. You may not yet know just how helpful and informative this place really is :)

ABF is a tremendous place to spend a driving career and in some cases they take on new drivers. Can you do some networking with your friend who spent his career there and see if you can't open a door for yourself? Especially being that you have a family, you might turn over every rock you could to get in there.

If you don't have your CDL yet, take a course at the local community college to get it and then refer to the paragraph above.

My thoughts exactly, I figure for myself doing a year or two otr for experience (and the thought of getting to at least SEE the rest of the country) then try my hand a little closer to home for the family, and hopefully once they are out on their own maybe talking the wife into a "teams type of retirement plan" from there on out. Hey a man can only plan and hope for the best. I second that motion GO FOR IT, after all there are so many different options to suit your needs and if you don't like the one you choose try for the next. Great thing about it is there are endless options and more than enough seats ready for the taking