Comments By ChickieMonster

It's possible, but don't count on it. Take the opportunity to have a conversation with your potential trainer and ask (politely) if they would let you use a small section of their fridge or cooler for some food.

But be prepared to adjust to not having any cooler space. And also to paying much higher prices for those types of foods at truck stops.

Take a little time to research some alternatives that don't require refrigeration and also things you can order at different fast food places that work with your food choices.

If you aren't a strict vegan, things will be a bit easier. If you are, well, things are going to be tough. The best advice I can give is do some homework.

Or Jim Palmer out of Missoula. Being part of the Prime family, they have access to yards all over the country.

So today I was trying to install a new editing program on my 2 year old laptop. It had already taken a nose dive once on me, and today it decided to do it again.

We had already filmed all our footage for the newest Top Ten list (which is up, by the way. Y'all check it out!) and I got the dreaded blue screen of death. Again. And there was no fixing it this time.

So....

We went to Walmart and bought a new computer.

2 years ago, a purchase like that would have been a several month process of saving and scrimping to find the money to do it.

But thanks to this job, which doesn't seem like a job most of the time, we were able to just go buy one!

When I say this job has changed our lives, I mean it. We went from living paycheck to paycheck, barely able to make the money last longer than the week, to being able to make large purchase without fretting for months over where the extra money would come from.

I don't run exceptionally hard. I average anywhere from 2400-3200 miles per week. With my husband being disabled, a 0700-0500 schedule works very well for us. Obviously, if a load calls for it we change things up, but 90% of the time dispatch works with me to keep us on the schedule. (Another reason I love my company).

But in spite of all that, I've been very successful here and wouldn't trade this life for anything!

And on a side note: my YouTube channel is slowly growing and I'm having an absolute BLAST making the videos! It's something we've always talked about doing since we started trucking and I'm very glad we did.

What's your story of how this job changed your life?

I've had Restless Leg Syndrome since I was 12 or 13. It's manageable with Advil, which interrupts the pain signals and over firing nerves long enough for you to relax. Mine is especially bad at night.

I used to take Requip for it. I don't believe it's on the prohibited med lists, so it is an option.

But what OS said also applies. Make sure your seat is in the proper position. I also find it helps to take a 10-15 minute walk shortly before bed to tire your legs out.

It's only Arkansas. Being based out of Little Rock, we all had to do the training and certification at orientation.

But all AR CDL holders must now do the certification. I believe Texas is trying to implement the same thing.

I already have a camera that is aimed down my blindside. It shows almost 90% of the right side. There is still a small blind spot, but it's much smaller than with mirrors.

Looks like someone beat you to the idea...

This kind of thing right here is exactly why I made a top Ten Tips for rookies.

Number 5 was "Be a Professional Driver". And number 2 was "Don't forget to pack your brain and common sense".

Those two tips alone could revolutionize not just rookies, but a solid third of the industry if they would just practice them!

I'd be running for the cab!! I think gators are cool and all, but I'm not about to go for a close encounter!

The best thing about our yards in Little Rock, Laredo, Garland and Hurricane Mills is the cheap or free laundry and showers. Plus at LR and Laredo we have a shuttle bus that will take us to Walmart, the post office, restaurants, the movies on the weekends, or a ton of other places!

Stock up on baby wipes. They are a truckers best friend on those days you just can't get a shower. Get the non scented ones and they can serve double duty for cleaning dishes and utensils. Walmart sells large boxes of them for around $14.

A good sturdy bag to carry your shower things in.

And put together a small tool kit. A simple set of wrenches, flat head screwdriver, wire cutters, and vise grips.

A $15-20 pair of heavy bolt cutters will save you a ton of time if you pull a box style trailer.