Comments By Shirley K.

ClassA, Thank you for the honest and yet positive look at life from a rookie's POV. Your post feels like an equal balance of harsh reality and great attitude, and it was just what I needed to read this morning. Thanks and best of luck!

Now running solo gives you a lot more opportunities to take time off on the road and enjoy yourself. I spent countless weekends in Vegas, New Orleans, Miami, Seattle, Atlanta, and had a blast. I watched the sunrise and sunset over the ocean, the desert, and the mountains for years and years. I saw Yosemite, drove across the Hoover Dam (when trucks could back in the day), took flying lessons in different states, went hiking in every state in the country, and almost won a pickup truck trying to get a hockey puck through a tiny hole in a board from center ice in front of almost 10,000 people at a minor league hockey game in Albuquerque. And that was a typical year. I spent about 15 of them out there so you can imagine how much I saw and how much fun I had.

That's why I've always said that trucking really isn't worth the money alone if you're not enjoying the travelling lifestyle. People wish, hope, pray, and save for years and years to see the things we see everyday. To drive across the country and live like a gypsy is so much fun if you're the type of person that enjoys that kind of adventure. Countless people would cherish that opportunity.

Brett, Thanks for that amazing description. THAT is the gold ring I'm reaching for and you put into words what I'm hoping to find down this path I've just started onto. I'm willing to work hard, long hours to be able to wake up in a different place every day and to be able to spend long stretches with just my thoughts and the road. I dread the team training portion of the driving....not dread....but not looking forward to sharing space with another human for that many hours at a stretch. I'm definitely looking forward to earning a solo spot.

Y'all all rock for being so encouraging and so realistic and honest. Keep it coming! 22 days until school starts....not that I'm counting ;)

Posting again here 1) hoping someone will see it and can chime with any experience or even hearsay about LBW's program and 2) because I'm so dang excited, I have to share! The BF is great about listening to my daily "Wow! I learned THIS and THIS and THIS on the High Road program today" and my constant "I saw a truck do this today. How did he do that?" questions, so I figured he needed a break....and y'all can scroll on down past it if it's boring ;)

So my excitement today: I went down to Panama City to the TSA for fingerprinting for my HazMat endorsement. My seat was directly across from a window in line with the guard shack. With every truck that came through, my chest got tighter and tighter. I am so stinkin' thrilled to have an opportunity to call one of those beauties mine soon. I could have sat there for hours.

Next, I was at a convenience store fueling up (a tiny little thing crammed into an even tinier little intersection) and watched a big truck pull up, and almost magically do a perfect alley dock with nearly zero inches to spare. No hesitations, no sweat. Just poof, he was perfectly backed in and traffic was back to flowing. I wanna be able to do that!

24 more days til school starts!

P.S. The BF has decided to start the High Road program, too. He's been driving for over 20 years, but says he is learning new stuff and remembering stuff he's forgotten by listening to me yammer. Thanks, guys, for an awesome program!

Congratulations!!

Whatever truck floats your boat!

(Is that a mixed metaphor?)

As long as my truck don't float ;)

I was really relieved to see you recommending this. I had been wondering if I was just being a goofball in using my Tonka to practice. I don't know what I don't know and that's a LOT!

All I have to say is this web site has helped me stay calm and press forward with my cdl career. I'm a self taught and trained cdl driver I have passed all the tests and skill assessments provided by the state of Texas. I have about 3 yrs of experience driving and towing all manors of class a trucks and trailers. I appreciate OLD SCHOOL, GUY, BRETT, and all the rest that I have read about on this web site. Your insights and stories have me the gumption to continue to pursue this career I've dreamed about thank yall very much.

Congratulations on passing the exams! I second the appreciation for the folks behind this website. Running a forum is tough enough, but the amazing content and the High Road program are helpful, professional, and unbelievably well-done. I'm very surprised not to be inundated by ads or a constant barrage of "upgrade now!" emails. Fantastic stuff! I love this place!

Thanks all! I appreciate the input. I'm just hoping to do everything I can to set myself up to do well in the school and get OTR soon. My goal is to be the least memorable student (no issues :) ) and to, at the very least, not make the news in my first 30k miles.

The Walmart lease option for this Pererbilt with sleeper, grain trailer included, is a single payment of $13.99.

Availability will vary.

I picked up a Tonka similar to this at Walmart for about $9. I was really surprised at how helpful it's been for backing work.

You'll do great and it'll be over before you know it!

Ok, I stand corrected. It's a Super 10, not a Split 10. I hope that's the worst mistake I make this week :)

I was raised on a dairy farm, drove all kinds of different vehicles while growing up. From my personal experience, depending on the individual it may or may not cause you issues once you get into school. So you might want to cut back on your practice because it just might cause you issues since it will be very new experience instead of ancient history like in my case (I was 56 when I started). When I got off the farm, I was 18 and going into the military for the first time.

Just my opinion.

Ernie

Thank you, Ernie. I appreciate the input coming from experience! And thanks for your time in the military!