Location:
South Central , ID
Driving Status:
Experienced Driver
Social Link:
ID Mtn Gal On The Web
Young old (72 on 26 July) lady that drove OTR 1988 - 1993 with a Chauffeur License, getting off the road because the husband hated driving & wanted to work cattle. In 1996 he suffered 2 Traumatic Brain Injuries & lived with the issues of that for 18 years. I cared for him all that time except his last 2 weeks of life. Knowing that he would be going to a nursing home, I went to school, got my CDL, got a job & getting the husband settled in at the home when he fell. That caused his death in Sept 2014.
The company gave me time and several weeks later I started driving team with my brother π That lasted 2.5 mths and for the first time ever drove solo. I have now been on the road for over 9 years. My driving partner is an 9 yr old mini Rat Terrier guard dog.
If you want to chat while driving boring stretches of the road, you can call or text me at 208.293.6808. I generally run late mornings or afternoons into the night hours around midnight to 0200. I do not get up before 0900 as a rule π
Posted: 1 week ago
View Topic:
I'd like to become a driver, but having trouble finding what I need...
It's easy enough. Go to the white box above the post and type in Living in Truck and a bunch of posts will pop up that you can read. A number of guys have done it, including BK (Bruce) that I can think of right off hand.
You have a bunch of questions which I would answer a few of them but I have to leave in 15 minutes. There will be guys that come along, just be patient.
Laura
Posted: 1 week, 4 days ago
View Topic:
Looking at beginning this journey
Here's some links for you to go through and there are the others that will help you.
Don't fixate on Prime. After you've gone through the links use our one and done to send out applications to many companies. It's not that Prime isn't a good company because it is, but in this economy, companies can be choosy with who they bring on. Plus it's slowed down and you just might not make the cut for no discernible reason. It's best to just apply everywhere and see who will make an offer. It doesn't mean you have to take it but it will give you an idea.
Posted: 1 week, 4 days ago
View Topic:
Climbing in and out of van trailers
Howdy!
At almost 73 I don't try to climb in to any kind of trailer from the DOT bar. I carry a step ladder with four steps on it strapped to my catwalk and use that to get in and out of a trailer. Broken bones take a long time to heal anymore. Fortunately, I don't have to get into a trailer, especially a dry van, too very often.
Laura
Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago
View Topic:
Retired Trucker Looking for Advice
My situation was a little bit different in the fact that I drove for 5 years and then was off 22 years, 18 of which I was taking care of my Traumatic Brain Injured husband. The company that hired me talked to their insurance company and because I had driven previously, even after all that time, I had to give 10 years of work history.
My husband was being cared for by Montana's Workman's Comp and they put him on domiciliary care. That basically was me caring for him. I did that for 6 years as a paid caregiver. However, my name wasn't in the domiciliary letter. So I did use the domiciliary letter that he needed care, but I had to have three friends vouch that I had been caring for him for 18 years. Once I got those notarized statements, I was hired on to drive. The only thing that irked me, was lack of recent experience, so I had to drive with my brother for 6 months. Fortunately, after 2.5 months I was able to get off the truck from driving with him....he's a scary, aggressive driver π
Laura
Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago
View Topic:
Rear ended accident on the I-5
I was thinking of suing the other party directly but I donβt think itβs right as her insurance did the payout amount. Did you do the same?
Btw I saw your profile and it shows your husband had brain injury? From a trucking accident?
No, he hated driving and wanted to work on a cattle ranch as a cowboy. On 17 August 96 we were fighting a lightning strike fire. What the ranchers did up in Montana was to put in a big plastic barrel that held 100 gallons of water in the back of their pickups. They had a motorized pump and while one person drove the other one sprayed the fire. The pickup lurched, causing the husband to stumble. Just as he got his balance the chain holding the motor caught him in the knees and he went out over the back landing on the back of his head. I could tell he had a concussion at the very least. On Monday the 19th the boss came out to the ranch and the husband told him what had happened. So that morning he painted buildings and in the afternoon he was riding his horse to get the bulls out of the cows, when his horse stepped in a prairie dog hole and fell, tossing him out on the front of his head. The boss came back to the house, told me to call for an ambulance and then I ran out to him. He remained conscious for several hours before slipping into a coma from 3 bleeds in his brain. He was 56 and never was able to work after that.
No, I have never sued anyone for anything. When the husband died in Sept 2014, I tried to find a lawyer to take on the hospital that screwed up his care. I couldn't find even one to take on this mammoth corporation of hospital lawyers. I had just gotten my CDL, so have been driving since.
Laura
Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago
View Topic:
I'd like to become a driver, but having trouble finding what I need...
Why do you have to be home at night every night while you are in training?
Most companies that have training will get you out to their School and pay you while training. I know of no company that will pay an independent training school unless it is a school that they've teamed up with.
Here's some links to read to get you started in this business:
Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago
View Topic:
How long do violations stay on your DAC report?
They stay on for 3 years.
The guys will be along before too long to help you out with your other questions.
Laura
Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago
View Topic:
Rear ended accident on the I-5
No, I've not been rear-ended. However, I have been hit in the steers by 4-wheelers 3 times (once in WA, twice in CA) and hit in the drives/trailers once in Idaho. My last one was in Jan 2018. Haven't been hit since fortunately.
Laura
Posted: 3 weeks ago
View Topic:
Retired Trucker Looking for Advice
Unfortunately, Versatile Transport requires two years recent experience.
One never knows with Shannon. After 6 months to 1 year, he may make an exception and take on a driver that has had 25 years experience. It's not like he has no experience. My 22 years off the road would have required at least a year of driving before he would consider it. I know of a couple exceptions to the 2-year experience requirement.
I had 5 years driving experience all as a team driver. I came back on the road 22 years later and so much has changed, even the trucks themselves. I have been back on the road 10 years this September and there are some changes with the rules but not something that you can't overcome when you come back out. You will be just fine. I'm going to be 73 this July. A year ago winter, I chained up five times going over Donner. I'm not wanting to do that now and with Versatile we don't, but I could if I had to.
Laura
Posted: 1 day, 13 hours ago
View Topic:
Thinking of Packrat...
He must have admitted to the crime, did his time and has been squeaky clean since by reporting to the agency that tracks the RSO people, otherwise he more than likely would not have been hired by CFI. Most companies will not hire guys that have been convicted of being domestic abusers or registered sex offenders, especially of children. He must have shown that he has straightened up his act and is flying straight.
I see no need for him to be removed from the forum.
Laura