Profile For OtrEscapeArtist

Ok whatever....My only comment is if you're part-time'ish job hunting through want adds of some sort and your gut is wondering if the advertised position is "safe" then move on to the barista openings!!

This is what I've experienced in my first year of OTR:

The country at 62 miles per hour-after-hour-after-hour-after-hour..lol... Proving yourself an asset worth training AND keeping means door SHUT wheels TURNING all while not killing yourself and others!... Oh, and of course not tearing things up.

Please be aware that unless you own your own rig, run under your own authority, pick and chose your own freight/destination you will be expected to grind (no pun intended) for weeks on end. If your out on the road for a 34 hour reset then sleep may turn out to be more enticing then a grand hike...lol.

Adventure tourism in my opinion for the first year is a bit unrealistic....

Thanks Big T......I'm off and running as we speak. Backs a bit sore but all good..lolol...

Firstly congrats on your CDL.

I would find a way to get rid of the restriction. Is there a reason you didn't train/test manual?

I suppose it depends on what your goals are for truck driving. That said, large fleets have been making the transition to autos which take time to fully integrate hundreds of not thousands of trucks.

My point being you heavily limit your opportunities, in an opportunity rich environment, and if your able to learn a manual transmission then don't short yourself!

If you want the "profession" , like REALLY want it, then prepare to make the sacrifice it takes to achieve your goals..

There are a few avenues of approach. I chose to commit for a year to a highly reputable well run company. We could have afforded to pay out of pocket for schooling but the quality of training/company made more sense..

It was a challenging go at it for sure. A year spent away from loved ones etc (the list goes on)

Take the advise found here to heart. Soul search this one...

Best of luck to you and yours.

I successfully completed my 1 year agreement with a great company and truley can't say enough good things about Jim Palmer trucking.

I have now signed on to run dedicated open deck (RGN) in and around my home state.

Stick to it that first year! It will pay off without doubt!!

Well done!! Keep up the hard work!

Thanks!!...I have this urge to eat a banana. But if the wife found out I paid a dollar for 1 banana at a truck stop I'd be in trouble!!.. Time to look for a friendly Wal-Mart anyway..😁

Congratulations on your achievement. You're in the 5% of rookies who've made it. Keep learning, keep rolling and keep the shiny side up!

Thanks Gents. Finally Dancing Bananas!!

I drive OTR for a company out of Montana. We get all the western passes and a few out east as well. We do not use 70 (Vail)...

Or should I say in the "ELD"...

One year with Jim Palmer Trucking has been a pleasure. Some blood, some sweat and maybe even a tear...lol... I have received what I've put in and good success has been the result.

I sincerely appreciate all the advice that's been provided within this forum... I look forward to the years ahead and continued "lurking" around TT.

NOT the best career choice if you have issues with rude large people. GO ASTROS!!

Don't really know if my comment here will mean much but I on multiple occations, coming off home time, have hauled a dry load (in a reefer) from a Texas Wal-Mart DC to a Utah Wal-Mart DC....Also have done regular Sams Club dry loads in a reefer..

I think the hard and fast of the deal is we (drivers) are simply an extension of the equipment. Of course the "equipment" is there to forward freight rain, shine or rattle etc etc... I expect most reputable companies would consider safety related mechanical issues serious as they have a lot to loose ($$$$).. That said, cosmetic and comfort issues will be tabled at times to move that freight!.

If a large company pulled every rig out of service and ran them straight to a terminal due to driver complaints and or minor issues then 1/4 of the trucks on the road would be laid up....

Grin and bear it for awhile unless you feel the problems are truly hazardous.. Then tactfully put the "you owe me" card in your pocket for future use!!..lol.

Rob, I get what you're saying. May have to do with the stereotype that holds with the term "rookie"... Many of us "rookies" have had long prior careers (professions) then lend well to the safe operation of an OTR big rig.

What I tend to find more alarming, as witnessed by my own eyes, are drivers that are considered "experienced" behaving poorly/ dangerously both behind the wheel and outside of the cab.....

Good luck! I look forward to hearing about how it goes. a Side note: am I the only one who finds it alarming how many drivers with "rookie" In their title are around here talking about them training others? Obviously I haven't met them or seen their skill set. It just seems like a huge disservice for somebody completely green to the industry trying to get their career off to a start to be trained by somebody still facing the steep learning curve.

My 2 basic rules for my trainees are: 1) DO NOT kill Fred 2) repeat rule #1

Awesome!

My trainer had two basic rules:

1) Please do whatever I ask you to do immediately, even if you don't understand why. I may see something you don't. We have the rest of our lives to discuss the situation after it's over.

2) If you drive off a cliff don't scream or wake me up. I don't want to know.

Lololololol..... Maybe I should ditch AccuWeather and switch to GarthM'Weather..Make me feel better anyway!!....😉

"Talked to a LAZER".....lolol....Oh boy!!!

Enjoy and keep us posted!

I have yet to equate professional trucking driving with North American fishing tours but I guess I do now!..😀

Best of luck to you and have fun with both, maybe focus on the truck driving part at first and leave the polls at home until you're a solo act....