Comments By Bucs/Clips-Nation (aka Nelson)

It's been 14 days with my trainer, he's a cool dude but 14 days living in a truck is 14 days living in a truck haha. I'm trying not to count the days till I'm issued my own truck, but its tough when you're a pretty independent person like myself.

Just spoke with my trainer to be on the phone, I'll be on the road to start my 5 week OTR training either tomorrow or Friday. His truck is being serviced so we're just waiting on that.

Congratulations!!

Haha tell us how u really feel. Na but I'm 29, I was born and raised in CA (San Diego county) and it never really has felt like the right fit for me. I want to check out northern CA before I decide anything about a move out of state. The weather out here is a good deal though. What's this about low emissions in 2014?

I will have to admit this....so I might as well do it here.... I had been driving with TSB for about 6 months...feelin' pretty ****y, thought I'd seen it all, and could handle it all...UNTIL...we got our first load to LA. TSB took over driving at the CA line, I took a nap. I woke up, hopped into the jump seat, and took a look out the windshield.....at 12 lanes of traffic, 6 goin' each way !!! I got a BAD case of brain overload...I tried to sit there and just take it all in, but I couldn't handle it...I headed for the sleeper, and told TSB to hollar at me when he got parked somewhere..I still put that experience at the top of my list of OH S***T Moments. That was also the day that I finally admitted that I most likely was a hick..... So for all of you newbies learning to drive big truck in CA.....GOOD ON YA !!!

Hahaha, is CA really all that bad compared to other states?

Congrats! Prepare yourself for the orientation. They will feed you stories of why you should lease.

Yeah man, I've already been hearing it. I made a choice to not even think about leasing a truck before I started. A lot of the guys in my class are all hyped about it, thinking "money money money". Going to be challenged enough learning all there is in the 1st year

Next step is orientation, I got my CDL today!

That is why you are taught with Smith System training to look at you dash every 8 seconds. It allows you to keep a fresh look at your speed compared to how fast the truck is really moving. It allows you to actively monitor your speed.

I hear you, yeah my trainer made sure to ask me throughout the drive how fast I thought I was going. Your mind is constantly going, looking at the mirrors, dash and ahead . It was a rush man

Hahaha Terry Tate! That's some good stuff right there. The freeway driving was a great experience, we were up and down the 60 east/west in Fontana, CA. Pretty good amount of traffic and a lot of other big rigs on the freeway to gain experience driving with. I was sticking to 55mph, but it actually felt like the truck was traveling much faster to me. Nothing at all like what I was expecting it to be like. I didn't feel like I was just creeping along, everything was intense but calming at the same time if that makes sense

I hear you there Brett, today was a good day. Got plenty of driving time and always learn a lot watching other students from the cab as well. Getting on the freeway tomorrow!