Profile For Susan D.

We just squeezed in anyway we could to get off the road. What's funny, kind of, is a car had pulled into the truck side, thinking the trucks and trailers would protect them from the snow.. they pulled across in front of my truck. We didn't even realize they were there until I saw the snow moving/cracking when they tried unsuccessfully to get out of their car the next afternoon lol. Several of us managed to dig out enough snow so they could get out of their car.

I don't think it was scary really. We actually had fun with the comraderie. We just all helped each other as needed until the road crews showed up the 2nd afternoon. Being prepared and having supplies makes all the difference in the world.

Just remember, there are no brownie points given for backing up faster. Every day you get docked, parked, etc without hitting anything, it's a GOOD day. Also even an experienced driver will have an occasional "off" day and look like a complete noob.

Just take your time, get out and look, and know you CAN do this and the more you back up, the better you'll get at it. It's common to take 6 months or more to actually begin to get comfortable backing.

That's not a dumb question at all. In snow heavy areas, they'll have swinging type gates (think of a park gate when the park is closed) that blocks the entrance ramps.

Always be prepared with several days of food and water for that type of situation. I also keep a sleeping bag rated to 35 below, just in case my bunk heat went out or I ran out of fuel etc. I once got stuck in a rest area for almost 2 days when a blizzard hit. The squall came on so suddenly.. complete whiteout.. I literally used my GPS screen to find the ramp going into the rest area. The 2nd day, state workers showed up with shovels and heavy equipment to help dig and pull us out.

I teamed with my other half for a short time. I love him dearly, but it just wasn't working. We have much more quality time together being solo drivers/trainers and just sharing home time. You'll see each other less than you might think.. maybe 2 hours a day tops, if you're both driving, because while one is driving, the other better be sleeping so they're ready to roll when it's their turn. The other thing about teaming with a significant other, it can stagnate certain skills, if you let it, because one driver may tend to get too dependent on the other driver for, backing, trip planning, navigation, etc. So that's something to watch out for as well.

Riding along is very very different than teaming and many companies require new drivers to wait a period of time before they can have a rider.. just something to consider. Also I believe Swift will let a driver train a spouse after a certain length of time. I'm not sure whether that would be a good or bad thing hahaha. My other half was my company trainer, and we argued like cats and dogs. It's a miracle we began dating later after I'd gone solo and even bigger miracle we're still together lol.

And yes, Rainy is correct.. she and I can out drive many drivers and I know plenty of women who drive that are excellent drivers with many years of experience. I worked in healthcare for 20 years. I was burned out and I wouldn't trade what I do now for anything.

Good luck Errol. My new truck had 18 miles on it.. the distance it was driven from the dealership, around town to test it out and bring it to our terminal in Cedar Rapids. My other half? His new truck had about 1700 miles on it so it was definitely used to tow a few more trucks. Oh yeah and his had some mysterious sticky crap all on the dash and cabinets.. whatever it was discolored it lol so someone wasn't too careful..

Have fun. The 2019 cascadias are a PITA.

Blue Parrott or Blue Tiger are both very reliable. I've got a Blue Parrott ... The 350 model. 1 charge lasts all week and I generally just charge it on Saturday or Sunday routinely.. just charged it today.. less than 2 hours.

My best advice is to ask friends or co-workers who are drivers if you can see their headset and try it on for comfort. My first one was a blue tiger which was excellent except it wasn't comfortable for me. My other half loved it and bought it from me and after trying on a BP 350 from a friend, I bought one of those. I finally had to replace it after the mic wire broke (after 2 years of constantly rebending it lol) and yes, bought another 350.

Maybe it could be covered the kinds of foods you are eating that could be causing the breakouts. I'm not sure. I too have organizational issues lol.. My other half is super organized, while I pack, in his words, "way too much stuff". I do carry less than I used to, but still lots of disorganization.

He carries very little. The off season clothing he puts in a space bag, under his bunk. He has stacking storage containers with lids.. one for socks, one for undies, one for tshirts. Hangs his jeans in the closet and carries a very small duffle with his shaving gear, shampoo/body wash, medications, and 1 change of clothes.. carries just that for showering or a night at a motel.

Me.. I have a huge bag, makeup, blow dryer, flat iron, clothes, cologne, all kinds of stuff. A closet full of clothes, more clothes and shoes under the bunk, non perishable foods, just craziness.

Big Scott drives for them and I'm positive there's plenty of info on CFI here. Did you enter CFI in the search bar?

Congratulations. Mission accomplished and you now have a CDL-A. Trucking School accommodation certainly is never the Taj Mahal and nobody should expect that. As you discovered, people show up so ill-prepared for the experience that delays are common and the failure rate is high.

You, Sir, persevered and now the real learning begins.

Again, congratulations and we'll done!

I'm not sure that's Trucking Truth affiliated. I believe it was created by a disgruntled former TT member who ultimately couldn't cut it as a professional driver.. not really sure anymore.. I was on there and quickly bailed.

I bounce back and forth from Midwest Regional to Network Fleet (our OTR) with no problems. All I have to do is let dispatch and payroll know since NF pays a teensy bit more lol.

Walmart, Amazon, a Freightliner dealer, and a few TA truck stops. Depending in what I'm needing/wanting at the time.

So Shannon joined us over 2 years ago but this was the only post and already a month old. Honestly I wish I'd seen this a month ago.

Shannon if you're still with us, we don't judge so please provide me details so we can better advise you.

I agree, Brett. I recently watched a very interesting documentary regarding electric vehicles and "Where did they go?". It talked about the California clean air board and their push to force manufacturers to make and sell electric cars. "Studies were done and the data was skewed to show people didn't want electric cars. The cars in California were never actually sold to the customers and they had to lease them. Big oil got involved and the cars were literally picked up and towed away from people who wanted to purchase these cars at the end of the lease and weren't allowed to. Little by little the perfectly running cars were crushed and shredded by the auto manufacturers. The documentary also went into great detail telling about the electric cars pre combustion engine days and people loved how quiet and clean they were. Interesting stuff. I'm pretty sure I watched it on Netflix or low possibility on Amazon prime.

Interesting stuff and no.. electric trucks aren't in our near future.

Welcome BN and congratulations on your trucking resurrection. We really believe that a driver can be successful no matter what name is on the door and your story reaffirms that.

I've hauled out of Miller Coors in Golden. We simply take 2 straps and crisscross them with the upper straps hooked above and in the rails towards the front of the pallets and the lower ones hooked at the next row of strap rails past the pallets and never had a bit of trouble nor did they seem to care at all. They were satisfied there were 2 straps.

I've been there and seen drivers fussing with load locks that often won't even stay in place.

I can't see electric being that big of a deal because they'd be extremely limited in their hauling distance.. even worse than CNG I'd imagine.

I'm always just scratching my head when drivers talk about using load locks on lightweight dry van trailers but pulling the walls in with straps first. What's the point of using both when one (straps) will do just fine.

IDK but we NEVER use load locks and are specifically told not to. Straps only and our company will give us as many as we need or want. We don't have to buy anything like that.

Since it was 20 years ago I really don't think it will be a huge problem if he's remained compliant all those years. I knew a couple drivers who were registered offenders. One drove for J and R Schugel and the other also drove OTR for a smaller 20 truck company. The one with Schugel had gotten kind of trapped taking photos of a new girlfriend who'd basically lied about her age and was under age.

I'd just say be forthright and honest about it and see what offers he gets. Seriously it's been 20 years.

I'd look at companies that hire felons for an idea on companies who'll be more forgiving of the circumstances.

Hahaha, I bet that was ugly indeed. Estes trailers are ugly anyway. Maybe Cowan should start by pulling those trailers with their emerald green trucks