Comments By Dixie Rose (Vicki)

We are done with day #1. We got there at 5:30 am, had to be there at 6 am. As soon as we were able to get into the building Paul and I picked a seat and waited. Someone came in with tons of paper work for us to start filling out. Medical info, application for employment etc. That took about an hour. Then those who had highlighted papers (drug screen and physicals docs) were called out of the room and lined up.

By the time we were done with physicals it was almost 1 pm. Expect to wait. It was nearly 1:15 pm before we were allowed a break. But this was because we have a class of about 34 and it takes time to get through all of those people. Needless to say Paul and I both passed our physicals and vision part of the exams. And pretty sure that we passed the drug test too since we are both clean. They do not want you to drink coffee or smoke before testing because it can and most likely will raise your BP. Mine was 94/70 Paul's (my hubby) was 134/90, his was up there due to not getting a break and a couple "drivers" taking liberties and cutting in line.

Tomorrow they want us to go for our permit test. Eeeek.

Anyways we are back at the hotel now. Gonna crack open the books after dinner and study...study....study. Till tomorrow!

We arrived in Indy about 3 pm on Sunday April 10. We are being housed at a place called Extended Stay America. I have to say it isn't bad. Love the little kitchenette and the room is plenty big. There is laundry on site, free wifi, and they even supply you with things to cook with if you want. I do have to go buy coffee filters but that is a small price to pay. Tomorrow is the long day....6 am for DOT drug screen/physical. After that who knows.

My hubby and start class on the 11th in Indy. We are like you guys, love spending time with each other...same interests, ect. We have already decided I get the night shift since I am a natural night owl and less traffic over all.

My advice is something I found out years ago. No matter how much time you get to spend with each other make it quality. It doesn't matter how much or often, but how you spend it.

Best of luck!

As many already know my husband and myself are starting this new chapter together. I wanted to get a jump start on the diary for those that might be considering doing the same thing. Because it isn't just about going to school to learn to drive or getting on the road.

Lets start by saying about two weeks ago I applied with PAM. My husband applied a week earlier. He talked me into doing this since we were basically facing an eviction and to him this was our only solution. After thinking about it, I considered that he was right. So I left my job at WalMart and we started to sell off everything we own. We are not going to have a home for awhile except for our truck. No biggie to me, I enjoy the concept of tiny house living.

The hardest part was this past Saturday. I had to say goodbye to both of my cats. I do however get to pick one up after we are in our own truck. So that helps a bit. The second hardest part for myself was saying goodbye to the people I had worked with for almost a year. I didn't realize how many friendships I had made. The third hardest was actually selling our stuff. Not because I was attached to it, but because people wanted it for almost nothing.

For my husband the hardest part would be his family not accepting his new career choice. Guess they don't realize that without people like us they won't get their high end stuff they enjoy buying. My family is all for it. My mom is even looking forward to the day she can tell everyone her daughter is a trucker. LOL

Anyways we will get to Indy this Sunday (April 10) and check into the hotel. Monday morning at 6 am we report to Driver Solutions for the physical and drug test and the signatures of forever. I am very excited to be doing this. As is Paul (hubby). While the decision to this was mutual and the right thing for us to do, think hard about it. Giving up everything isn't as easy as it might sound.

Will update this probably either Sunday night after we get to the hotel, or Monday after our first day in classes.

Congrats....Can't wait till hubs and I are posting the same thing. Tick tock....let the countdown begin. 6 days till we leave for classes.......:D

Fire away, I'm game.

Coming from a Dragon, fire away takes on a whole new meaning!

Ha Ha I needed that laugh!

We just said goodbye to our cats today. I am heartbroken right now. I will get to take one of them with me, so I know I will be seeing him again in about 2 months....but the pain is so real. I hope he adjusts to life on the road. I know my hubby and I are gonna spoil him like crazy when we get him back.

Companies and shareholders want to keep profits up. Customers want prices low. Employees want higher pay. The vicious cycle. We all wanna buy laptops for $200 & big-screen tv's for $500. Then we wonder why manufacturing jobs go overseas.

I agree with Brett. One of the problems with lowering the age is; there's not a shortage of potential drivers in the current age group. Even the government offers grants to get people their CDL and off the unemployment rolls.

The question facing this industry and others is; are we, as a society, willing to pay significantly higher prices for goods and services, in return for people getting higher wages?

From my experience as a cashier with Walmart no people are not willing to pay more. They are always trying to get the BBD. And to be honest it makes me sick. Yeah I want prices to be lower than they are, but I also understand it takes money to get those products to me. Not to mention the fact that with lower wages drivers start looking for other jobs that will help offset those higher costs. It really is a vicious circle.

As for younger....not sure younger is always better. They need to make this industry more appealing to those of us who are in our 30's, 40's and 50's. (btw start my training on the 11th of April so I was just generalizing)

You never know who you'll meet during training and once you're on the road. It's a lifestyle. You hear and see that a lot when talking to drivers or researching truck driving.

I started out with nothing in July of last year. I had to borrow money just to eat my first month. I'm now earning better than any other job I've had, but I also am able to save, and dream of things I didn't believe I'd ever have.

That being said, it's a shocking adjustment. The first few months you'll run into situations that you can't imagine. Like stopping at a major chain truck stop to take a shower and do laundry. There's 3 washers and 5 dryers. Awesome! 2 of the washers and 3 of the dryers have out of order signs. The washer that works had a wet load that you patiently wait for over an hour for the owner to claim. As soon as you load and put in your money it promptly quits working.

Good luck finding a regular laundromat where you can park a tractor and trailer, much less actually have the spare time anyway. Gotta keep the wheels turning pot your income blows away.

Banking? Don't make me giggle. Shopping? Wal-Mart anyone? Doctor appointments? Good luck with that.

Sounds like I'm complaining right?

Now...ask me the important question.

Do you like what you do?

No! I LOVE what I do!

I know it is going to be hard and difficult to adjust to. But I am also looking at the benefits since we are going to be living in our truck. No rent, no utilities, no one telling us what to do (other than DM). I have to give up my cats, and I am sad about that, actually it is breaking my heart. But the way I see it, we were going to be homeless in less than a month and I would have had to found a place for them regardless.

Hubs and I are training together, we enjoy spending time together and we are doing this together. I have fears, but I am sure that those will go away in time as I learn what I am doing. I will give my trust to the trainers and to myself, and my partner, but most importantly to God.

Yeah Charlie we are going to be in Indy. I am nervous as all get out though. I do hope to see you on the range. Just don't laugh if you see me run over a cone.....LOL