Comments By Phoenix

Lol tractor man.

Didn't realize how long I'd let my updates lag. was in the central States where I get no data, and then, well just working hard and reading other threads to try and stay up to date as much as I could.

Had some trying times, as once I was late to a pick up (due to trying to find out where an oil leak was coming from), I just couldn't seem to catch up again, but this last delivery went very smoothly...backed into an enclosed dock perfectly with NO assistance and not a straight back either haha, and adjusted my tandems within 20lbs of my drives the 1st time.

Brought the load home and we delivered it this morning with no more hiccups. I'm back to being a team driver again, and we're staying on this fleet after all. Daryl ran one training shift on the other fleet, and said no way! Today we'll be at home but back out tomorrow hopefully.

In summary, my time solo taught me a LOT and I'm thankful I had the experience, I truly am! I learned so very much, and am much more confident now, having gone solo for almost a month. I feel like a real truck driver.., trailer puller.., now, and say it with pride.

But I'm glad to have my husband back on the truck again, and I still have a great deal more to learn.

Once again, thank you to Brett, for this site, and to each of you who supported me, directly in this thread, and all the other helpful threads I have read.

And Paul, we may yet meet again, since I'll still be doing i70/i76 every week. I try to keep my location updated, and I'd be happy to meet up with many here, so let me know if we're ever within range!!

Keep safe everyone!! Sheila

All Swift gave me for my Trifecta was an invitation to Orientation. I'm jealous!

Same here. Didn't even get the pizza party our trainer promised us if all four of us passed the first time, which we did. We still tease her about that whenever we hit the SLC terminal and she's there lol.

But wow Larry! That's really awesome, and I bet a load off your mind. Congratulations!

Way to go, Rainy!!

Look! The gang's all here to help you celebrate lol.

So tell me, how do you feel now behind the wheel compared to a year ago?

My advice would be to start practicing it now tho before most of the country gets hit with snow and you have to be able to do it safely.

That I am, down every hill I descend. I managed a couple mountains yesterday at 40 and was able to keep it below 45 with lighter breaking. That was still with the jake, though I did see that with a slower speed it took longer to climb to 45.

Errol, I did read your sleigh ride response, as well as a couple blogs about winter driving, and I'm beginning to get my mind a wrapped around this, but for the 6 and 7 percent grades, I'm still concerned.

I'm home now and the plan is to bring Daryl back on the truck. I'm going to get him to teach me how to use the manual mode. That way I can start practicing the hills without the jake at all. I have the general idea, but have just always left it in auto mode.

I WILL get this!!

Just take it really slow. My 10 speed I can drop it into 8th and I can keep it below 45 without the jakes. When you are in lower gears and going slow it takes more for your brakes to heat up. I will admit I haven't tested this on any major grades but that is the strategy I used to drive through that snowmaggedon storm last year.

When I'm light, keeping it below45 isn't an issue, but loaded, I can't keep it below 45 WITH the jake in the second position. In the 3rd position, it'll just keep slowing me down till I'm backing up the hill I'm trying to go down...o.k. till I'm at a complete stop. :-) I've gotten to the point where I play with the 3rd position all the way down. On for a sec, off till I've sped up 5-10mph, on for a sec...and so on. So...without the jake? I just can't see it.

Ok, maybe I'm just not understanding, but not using the jake on downgrades worries..no, TERRIFIES me. How do you keep the rig at a safe speed without melting your brakes if the jake is not an option? This will be my first winter and I cannot say I'm looking forward to this part of the learning curve. Is it June yet?

I have never been completely on my own in the truck...I got used to having a second set of eyes and hands in the truck with me. But this will be a great learning experience for me!

Like me, CM, you'll be just fine!

I was scared sh*tless a month ago. Still am, occasionally, but the past month has done much to boost my self confidence. I can do this(!!!)

And so can you, girl! Just slow down, look twice, and breathe. And keep yourself safe, always.

I hope Cal Ark is everything you seek and then some!

Hugs!

Gee, maybe the two years of information systems I took in college will come in handy after all.

Oh no! I'm so sorry, Sambo!! Hope your day gets better.

at better companies than CRE

Hey now! Lol

The payback for breaking a contract with CRE is actually $7500 (5000 tuition + 2500 penalty).

My husband and I were pretty frustrated with CRE at the beginning, but I'm actually happy here now. There's usually something that can be done if there's something not working the way it should. Your husband just needs to reach out to the people who can help him..like his DM or career counsellor. They've bent over backwards to help us through some crises. But then, we've never attacked them either, no matter how frustrated we got. Things happen out here on the road. That, and waiting, are just part of the job description. If y'all can't deal with crap happening, perhaps trucking just ain't right for y'all. ( That does NOT apply to his trainer being abusive, but it sounds like that is already being resolved.)

And I would suggest that perhaps you do some reading here on Trucking Truth so you can understand the lifestyle and the job better. Your husband needs your support, but not to walk from, or fight, his contract. The more you understand how all this works, the better you'll be able to support him in a meaningful way.

If you're still reading, best of luck!

Sheila