Comments By Texaslady0804

I'm new with my CDL also. Almost the same age as well. I started to go team with my husband. He is my trainer. We checked out many companies and picked Werner. Let him train me so we aren't split up. Make a list of what you want in a company and write down the answers by company you talk to. If you don't you will get mixed up who said what exactly. So many are very close but one may have just a little edge once you know what you are looking for. We had it narrowed to 2 or 3 but Werner had a policy that we just really liked over the others. List out home time, pet policy, benefits, average miles per week, pay per mile to start and after you finish training. Whatever else is important to you. When you get through and pick a company, get an employment offer letter that spells out all of it so later they can't say it doesn't apply or incorrect note taking on your part. Good luck and be safe out there.

I have never done a post before but thought I would talk about my first month OTR. To start, I am being trained by my husband so we can be a team when I'm done. Let's just say he is way more patient with me than I would be. I think I'm doing OK on driving but my backing stinks. I can't seem to get the parking at truck stops and only get docs with his help. I'm very frustrated about this. I will not be one of those "do it for me" drivers. There are good days and bad, like with any job. However, we are together and I'm grateful for that. Life in a truck is different especially with 2 large dogs taking up the floor. We have limited space to store things so have to be willing to share everything and be organized. Have a place for it and put it there. Sleeping as a team is mostly in shifts so not together much. It works out somehow... Bathroom and showers are a challenge. Porta potty at job sites, not all truck stops are clean, most are. Sitting at terminals, shop for flat repairs etc can be stressful when you have a deadline on the load, most of ours are JIT loads. Watching the hours and running always just short of what is needed. Tired a lot and try not to get short with each other because stressed and tired. Trying to remember to turn to not on each other. I want this to work because I want to be a true team with my husband. I'm a perfectionist which can be bad because I hold myself to really high standards. I want to get the backing down so I don't need him to guide me everytime. He says it will come in time and practice. Really enjoy seeing parts of this great country we are blessed to live in. So much is taken for granted and it is a beautiful country. .Miss my friends but use FB to stay in touch. I send posts of where I'm at. I guess I'll close by saying if you are looking at being a driver, be realistic in your expectations. It isn't glamorous but it is great in many ways. It is work but it is different everyday. New people and places. It is mentally and physically challenging. It is also dangerous so everyone be careful out there.

I was an accountant and HR director for 30 plus years. Tired of fighting Corp CEO that knew less than me telling me how to do my job. Now I'm team driving with my husband and love it. We get to be together always.

Wanted to reply to being trained by significant other. I am currently being trained by my husband. I love it. We looked for a company that would let him train me. He went through the training program after leaving his former company and we have only been on the road for a little over a week. He is way more patient with me than I am with myself. Lol. I would not want a stranger training me because of living in close quarters and always feeling like I am being judged. But that is me. It might be different for others. I can ask him what I need to improve on at the end of the day, then talk about it. Do what you feel is right for you. I wish you luck. Enjoy it. I know I am. Even on the stressful days.

Look at Werner Enterprises Vet benefits. They offer many and have regional, OTR etc and take good care of their drivers. Not saying there are not many others as well. Covenant is another with good pay you could look at.

Sharla, welcome to the Forum!

The T680 has a roomier sleeper area, but upfront the cab area is slightly smaller. The Freightliner feels bigger when in the driver's seat. So, it depends on where you want the space distributed.

Thanks for the info. Primary reason I'm asking is we will have large dogs in there with us. So floor space is for them. Team driving with my husband and our dogs.

About to start new company and need to decide between the KW T680 and the Freightlightner Cascadia. Need plenty of room. Can anyone tell me which one has the most floor space. Specs on them do not give this info that I can find. Thanks for any responses.