Location:
Madison, WI
Driving Status:
Experienced Driver
Social Link:
BK On The Web
I'm a 69 year old (as of 10/21) single male. Retired from a 49 year construction career and getting into driving because I've always been interested in professional driving and seeing the country.
Email: brucekelly780@gmail.com
Posted: 16 hours, 20 minutes ago
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I could use some career (and maybe a bit of personal) advice
One podcast I listen to a lot is the Dave Ramsey show. This podcast really has sound advice for managing your money, so it would be a two birds with one stone thing for you.
Ramsey combines his financial advice with his Christian religious zeal, which turns some people off. I don’t like that aspect of his show, but I filter it out because the financial aspect is so great, in my opinion.
Interestingly. The financial self discipline Ramsay expounds can be the same type of self discipline needed to manage your driving life. It’s all about establishing goals and then managing your finances and driving so as to accomplish your goals.
Might help you pass the time and learn good stuff at the same time.
Posted: 16 hours, 33 minutes ago
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Drive schedule to fit in April 8th solar eclipse?
Hi Harvey!
Hey, good to hear from you. Also, I hadn’t heard about the eclipse yet but it will be a must see for me also. The link you posted is very helpful and hopefully I’ll be in Texas when it happens.
What about the farm? Is it on the market? What’s going on with Michael in Texas since he moved?
Now I gotta check out the eclipse info for other locations if I’m not going to be in Texas.
Posted: 1 day ago
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I could use some career (and maybe a bit of personal) advice
It’s obvious your life is a real dumpster fire right now, aul right? (Editors note: this is just an inside joke between us)
I didn’t realize you were struggling like you are. It seemed to me that you had found a great situation and a good plan. And I do think you have found that and you probably need more time to get used to it.
Frankly, you have been job hopping somewhat. When a driver does that the first thing that moves into his suitcase and travels with him are his personal issues and problems. You asked if you should power through your current unhappiness and maybe by asking that question, you provided your own answer. You have not driven for SPD long enough to get accustomed to the routine, lifestyle and schedule. It takes time to adapt to a different type of driving job. Have you given it enough time yet?
You have established goals for your life. Constant changes will not make you more content or help you accomplish your goals.
Dr. James Farmer said this: “We do what we HAVE to do so we can do what we WANT to do.” Knowing more about your excellent abilities and knowledge than most others on this forum I would urge you to stay the course and see if you begin to adapt to your current situation.
Posted: 1 day, 14 hours ago
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Hi Kameesha. I almost forgot about you and your comment. Better late than never, right?
Your request for advice is so broad that it’s hard to know what to say first. It also says a lot about you in a positive way because it says you want to learn and you realize how important it is to learn as much as you can. Be a sponge, that’s a good thing.
Based on some mistakes I made as a newbie, I always warn others not to take your truck into any place or location that you don’t know how to get safely out of. I once needed to change directions so I pulled into a parking lot to turn around and found out I couldn’t make the circle going forward. Long story short, it took me 30 seconds to get into trouble and literally 2 hours to back the truck out of it.
So never drive your rig into a lot or road that you don’t know the way out of IN ADVANCE. This is why it’s so important to learn how to use the navigation technology available to you as a driver. My most important tool is Google maps satellite view and street view. I found that just using my phone with these features was inadequate. So I got an IPad to get a better view. The bigger screen is of critical importance in understanding your safe path forward and what traps may surround you and lie in wait for you. I spend a lot of time studying my route and my destination location before I ever start my engine. Trust me, this is time well spent and will save you grief that is not pleasant to experience as a driver.
And also, be prepared mentally to not give up. During your first weeks, first months and first year you will be pushed to the limit of what you can endure and every instinct will tell you to quit. This happens to us all. If you know it will happen to you, then you can be resolved to push through those times and keep going.
Another thing I will advise for you. Start asking specific questions you have as they come up in your driving. Specific questions will generate the most valuable feedback from the experienced drivers here. Elevate yourself above all the other new drivers by learning as much as you can as soon as you can.
Posted: 1 day, 14 hours ago
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Sandman, whenever you update your thread I find it interesting to follow.
And every time it makes me think of what Willie Nelson sang: “The road goes on forever and the party never ends”
(Minus the weed, of course).
Posted: 1 day, 15 hours ago
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Pianoman’s description of this whole mess as a dumpster fire is an excellent analogy. A dumpster fire is serious, but not the end of the world.
People are people, so to speak. I never get too shocked anymore by unexpected revelations about people I know or know of. Surprised, yes. Shocked, no. At my ripe old age I’ve seen about all the imperfections people can manifest and I have perfected some of those imperfections myself.
My life has been severely affected by people who had hidden lives and were textbook sociopaths. So when I can identify these people and see their sociopathic traits, I avoid them like the plague on a social level. They are toxic people. But that doesn’t mean that they are totally worthless because they may have knowledge and experience that I can benefit from in my life. For instance, serious character flaws have just been brought to light about several members here. But I can’t deny that I have learned things from those individuals about my current profession as a driver. Sometimes one can find something valuable in a garbage pile.
My point is this: I’m here because I decided to learn to drive a potentially deadly vehicle late in life. I need to learn everything I can about how to be the best I can be even if that knowledge comes from a garbage pile. I’m here to hone my professional skills. If I can identify some people who are worthy of friendship, great. If not, I still can benefit from their knowledge and experience. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that this is a trucking website. It’s not a Dr. Phil website. All the drama that has been exposed by this thread is interesting but does not divert my attention from my goal to learn driving skills from others who comment here.
And I have to say that I noticed Kearsey temporarily changed her avatar due to this thread and a comment she made. I hope the symbolism and humor connected with this are apparent to others. I find it to be very clever and creative. Good job, million miler!
I’m now waiting to see what Brett has to say about all of this dumpster fire. My guess is that he is waiting until the fire dies down somewhat until he evaluates it all and puts things in perspective.
Posted: 2 days, 2 hours ago
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Paper Transport Inc: Hair Follicle Test (a few questions)
Rusty, first of all you need to change your name here. The term FF is not allowed and does not belong. I’m surprised it got through the filters.
If you are worried, get your own private test so you know what shows up before testing with any company or for a DOT physical.
Posted: 2 days, 3 hours ago
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“Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive “
-Sir Walter Scott
My thoughts and feelings are much the same as what Old School said about this situation, so I won’t repeat the same words.
I, too, want to extend my most sincere and heartfelt apology to Big Scott for what I said.
Also, to Big Scott, thank you for having the backbone to speak up about this when you knew you would probably catch flak about it.
I’m sure the last comment on this thread has not been posted yet. PackRat, what do you have to say for yourself?
Posted: 2 days, 13 hours ago
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Picking your Team driver for brand new cdl?
Jim, there is a member here who drove team with CRST. He quit driving for a non-driving team opportunity in the Philippines. Maybe he will be along to add some insight here. His name is Stevo.
Posted: 7 hours, 23 minutes ago
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Just a funny trucking picture to brighten your day
Sent by Harvey C.
Apparently, the driver confused “tire plug” with “fire plug”
Or he just had a big hole in his tire that was on fire.