Comments By Auntie Am

I know! It's awful how someone hears a crash and they always think it's the big wheelers fault! I wish they would build a super highway for just trucks and let all the 4 wheelers run themselves out. They'd probably still ban the big wheeler just on principle even though they were nowhere near the 4 wheelers.

According to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesperson Ryan Watts, there were 99 crashes on the highway from 2013 to 2015, 11 involving commercial vehicles. The data did not determine fault.

Judging by the data it looks to me like they need to ban 4 wheelers instead...

I'm sure some of you may have already heard this but for those traveling and haven't, CMV's 8 1/2 feet wide or 53' long are banned from road 151 due to many accidents. It states, "Smaller commercial vehicles, including box trucks, farm and construction vehicles, garbage trucks and local delivery trucks are exempt from the order". Just wanted to throw it out there. CMV's temporarily BANNED because of accidents.

I understand what you're saying. However as for whether someone BELONGS in a certain division, obviously lil lightnings bosses thought she belonged. She isn't becoming one, SHE IS ONE. Because she IS one I'd like to know how they make up for it. As for someone who is short and lifting max is 70lbs for now, I still have a year before I go for my CDL and am in the works to build endurance and increase strength and would like to keep my options open. :D

Why on earth would anyone consider being a Flatbedder if you cannot handle it? Is it the extra money or what?! As far as I see, the money isn't worth getting hurt over! If you are lifting something so heavy that you cannot handle it, you don't belong doing it at all... No one is going to help you with it, and if it is windy and cold, you are going to struggle even more... Go with a Van and make it a bit easier on yourself.. Just my two cents!

Auntie -

I'm content that I picked BATC rather than a 30-day (or less) program. The info is sticking and feeling very comfortable with this decision.

~scott

The program I've chosen is an 8 week 320-hour program. Week 1-6 covers everything (maps, logging, regulations, etc) 4-6 adds in simulator and the last 4 weeks of the program are pretty much nothing but pre-trips and actual truck driving besides testing and reviews. I think besides the fact it is a very good college and all, I loved the 4 weeks of driving. I'd feel that it'd help everything stick much better as well. Good luck to you!

Week #2

We performed pre-trips every morning on the 3 rigs the skewl has. The first week of learning pre-trip seemed like my head was going to explode, but this week words were coming on my mouth and was identifying things that thought I would never be able too.

Took our first class textbook test and passed with flying colors. I intend on taking my permit tests on Tuesday. May be loosing one student as he is having "rotatorcuff" issues and is in some pain, so if that happens that will get is down to 4.

Yesterday I got on the Simulator and did a total of 2 1/2 hrs of "driving" on it. It took me some time to get the Clutch-Neutral-Clutch-Gear operation down, once I did I purposely took "exits" and "hills" just to get the shifting down. The head instructor said that when they had the SIM put in they had it calibrated similar to their "testing rig." The instructor was very impressed and after about 15 mins, he said he was going shopping and would be back in an hour. The first "bump" in the road it simulated, I didn't have proper grip on the steering wheel and it popped out of my hands the rig started swerving.

Here is the link to the simulator we are using.

~scott

Thank you for the link to the simulator! I believe I have decided to go through a local colleges program for a CDL and they mentioned a simulator as well. Every time I hear the word, it brings back memories of my awful, awful, AWFUL drivers ed simulator. All students in class had a seat but we all used one simulated car on one massive screen. I always hated it because it was not really like driving, it felt like it failed even at trying to SIMULATE it! This simulator looks so much better than what I remember, this actually makes me even more excited. lol

I understand that. Now I am curious though since lil lightning can't handle them and she is a flatbedder how do they accommodate her. I am curious if the company accommodated her or if the company she is with is specifically preloaded and she just hooks and goes which I know some companies will do no touch freight. Also my max lift is about 70 right now so chances are I could not lift a tarp either lol

I'm 5'3" and maybe weigh less than 100 pounds. I'm a flatbedder. My only limitation is tarps. I physically can not handle them. I'm just not big enough. Flatbedding IS physically drmanding and requires strength (and clever use of leverage). But trucking in general? Many people with poor upper body strength are truck drivers and there are gadgets and tools designed to take strain off the driver. Keep looking in to it! Good luck!

Quick question. Why can you not handle tarps? The weight, size, folding, etc?

I ask because I am preparing for school at the same time trying to decide a division and I'm a shorty! I'm even shorter than you.... lol

Because tarp are very heavy i think 120lbs up! Theres no other way I can lift a tarp over my shoulder thats got more weight than my body.. I can lift it all the way to the table using body techniques but not all the way to shoulder and climb to the ladder!

It depends with the company though.. Some company will let just let you lift 60lbs not 120 etc.

I'm 5'3" and maybe weigh less than 100 pounds. I'm a flatbedder. My only limitation is tarps. I physically can not handle them. I'm just not big enough. Flatbedding IS physically drmanding and requires strength (and clever use of leverage). But trucking in general? Many people with poor upper body strength are truck drivers and there are gadgets and tools designed to take strain off the driver. Keep looking in to it! Good luck!

Quick question. Why can you not handle tarps? The weight, size, folding, etc?

I ask because I am preparing for school at the same time trying to decide a division and I'm a shorty! I'm even shorter than you.... lol

Hey Bad Bob when you get a minute I sent you a message with some questions. Hope you don't mind. Stay safe out there!

I have been going over it in my mind of how I am going to react for that first time. I think you've just told me lol

Well this will make u laugh then too. I had my first lot lizard knock on my window ... strangely enough it was at the Petro in OKC ... if u remember I asked here if there was a safe place to park cause the reviews of OKC truck stops sounded scary.

She knocked on the door and I got up and said "sorry honey I beat you to him. Try the guy two trucks down"

So sorry for the late response, been getting over the kids spring break. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!

Most companies will allow you to take the truck home with you while you are on hometime. You can arrange with a truck stop or business to allow you to keep your truck/trailer parked there for those days. If you are on a route that gives you weekly hometime, your dispatcher and the planner know to route you close to home for those days. If you are on a national fleet, make sure you notify your dispatcher when you want to take hometime and remind him/her as it gets closer to those days.