Comments By BQ

I've had issues with trailer tandems not sliding, rather the wheels would just skid across ground unless I had something to keep them in place, forcing trailer to slide, hence moving tandems. Now I keep a wheel chock in truck for whenever this occurs. In the case of pins simply not retracting, sometimes going between first and reverse will get them to pop, other times, like Brett mentioned, some WD 40 and few whacks with hammer can get you rolling....

As for original OP, freight can vary in all places, particularly weekends. Hold tight, clean truck or laundry and relax.

Personal health and fitness is an individual decision regardless of profession. No reason drivers can't walk lot/property of most customers while being loaded/unloaded or knocking out a few miles at beginning or end of 10. You are free to do pushups/crunches on shower room floor prior to washing up. There are also fitness tools such as resistance bands or small weights that can be kept on truck. As others have mentioned, you can't make private businesses build certain facilities on their property. I find it annoying when drivers think all private businesses should be at their personal service, such as whining about being kicked off certain properties when out of hours (I understand frustration at some customers who take sweettime doing their part), hotels and other businesses don't need to post signs or allow you to park, they purchased and pay taxes for their land and don't have to let you on it. How about the government tells you, you must have designated play area with certain toys and swingset for whenever friends or family with children visit, doesn't make much sense does it.....same concept you expect every private business to fully service your personal needs. Silliness

Welcome to the TT family. I don't why people say your permit won't transfer to Missouri. I'm from NC and was trained in Springfield. I'm with CFI which is HQed in Joplin MO. I got my permit in NC and took my CDL test in MO on that permit. MO sent my scores to NC as well as gave me an official copy. That was not a CDL. I did have to go home to pick up my liscence.

It's not a matter of the state not allowing it, it is a policy at Prime. As someone who actually drives for Prime and went through their training program, I can assure you I know what I am talking about. They allowed students to use permits from their home state up until cpl years ago, now all students are required to take MO permit tests. That is why people say you will need to get permit in MO to prospective Prime students.

Firstly, as a driver who was trained by and still drives for Prime, I think you made a great choice. No need to get permit before arrival, will have to redo it in MO anyway, however, do study and prepare for it (particularly general knowledge, combination, air brakes and tanker). You do not have to get a lightweight, that is a myth although they do come with benefits such as increased pay and easier maneuverability. Once upgraded to your own truck, bringing significant other along shouldn't be a problem, may have to wait few months but don't take that as gospel. As far as online classes, internet connection may be an obstacle at times but shouldn't be impossible, many truck stops have wifi available (sometimes free inside, paid outside) but connectivity isn't always great. Best of luck.

If you got experience you should know how tough it can be. I recommend looking at some of the stores on Google maps that acct covers. A lot of those dollar stores are in crazy areas. When I did walmart with swift we had a really hard store that everyone had to take turns going to. I cried about it the first day I did it and then I noticed dollar tree was next door. It instantly made me not feel bad any more. That coupled with manual labor in a hot trailer keeps me very far away from that type of account.

I see this recommendation for the use of Google maps regularly. For those drivers who utilize the "Truckerpath" app, which I assume is most, (if currently don't have it, it takes a cpl minutes to download from app store), there is a satellite icon in the upper right corner, next to magnifying glass that provides overhead view of setup.

I prefer independent truck stops more because they either take better care (not all of them) of their property and or less rookies / nasty drivers park at them.

Are you trying to imply that rookie drivers are the sole source of disgusting in this industry? I hope not, tho I have only been out here for about a year and a half, my eyes and ears have been in fine working order and have observed absolutely disgusting actions and many instances of ******baggery from not just rookies but many, many "veterans," including O/O's with their chromed out Petes, etc. I have also seen acts of courtesy from both rookies and vets, just like anything else, trucking has good and bad folks, both old and new.

Ugh, this is what the "everybody deserves a trophy" mindset has done to the newer generations.

I would much rather be late for an appointment than kill someone because I'm driving well past my hours.

Sounds to me like a good decision on your part, I'm sure you can find an employer that understands.

Huh? Past what hours? He slept for 8, not drove...

Not that it matters in anyway but I find it quite odd that you list self as "experienced driver," but are just finishing first week solo....

I am always in comfy wear, shorts and white t's when warm. Sweats and hoodie when cold. Always a decent pair of sneakers as well. It's always clean and shower almost every day, may miss a day here and there. Anybody who says it's not feasible to shower almost every day just doesn't want to. I run solid miles but have to take a 10 every day, if plan on sleeping at customer or somewhere I don't expect a shower to be available, I grab one on my 30. Flying J/Pilot has shower power (1/day after 1000 gallons of fuel for rest of month and following month), as long as you keep it rolling over, easy peasy. The other major truck stops also credit you free showers for fuel which I use from time to time. I believe loves also has shower power like program, I just prefer Flying J because they are generally much bigger.