Comments By Sandman J

A big benefit of using the app here on this site is it sends it to companies not even on your radar, and one of those might be the one(s) who say yes.

Something else to consider that I don't think was mentioned yet. Companies can do just urinalysis today then change their policy and start doing follicle testing tomorrow. You could walk in to orientation ready to pee in a cup and be told they're also yanking some hair.

I waited a long time to start trucking for many reasons but it was worth the wait knowing there'd be nothing standing in my way once I did.

I am currently in Newark, NJ, not too far from Bruce's upcoming delivery.

Two nights ago we loaded in at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn. We got there in the middle of the night and convoyed our seven trucks in, and it was easier than expected, aside from having to block busy streets for far too long. We each took our turn driving into the elevator to go to a lower level dock area. Pull onto a turntable and get spun around to face our dock. Four trucks stayed, and two others and I had to go to the staging yard along the water. Other then a great view of Lady Liberty, it wasn't pleasant. No facilities and no shuttles to the venue for food. A huge perk of being on tour is we get to enjoy catering at the venues. So instead I walked around Red Hook and hopped a bus to another area and got to see some of Brooklyn.

Our drive back to the venue was very trafficky (I think over an hour for what should have been a couple miles but became 8.8 miles - a lot of stopped traffic) and we had to detour as we couldn't fit down the street we used before due to cars parked on both sides to the intersection. But we got loaded out and made our way to Jersey for tonight's show. It was a blind 45 into the docks but all I have to do is follow the lead driver's instructions over the CB. I'm typing this up as I finish breakfast and I'll update as it goes along.

The climbing ability could be a couple different issues. If it has a dd13 it won’t climb for beans. Also depends on the gearing.

I haven’t driven anything newer than a 15 year model so I don’t know how bad the manufacturers have screwed up performance.

Be careful during your new truck learning curve!!

It's a 19 Volvo VNL760 and I believe it has a Volvo D13 (12.8L) engine with their 12-speed I-Shift. If this FL's motor could go in there with a few of its other features I'd love it!

I will be careful, I'm getting a bit more used to it each day.

This is from the big California snow storm.

He's gonna be waiting an awfully long time for his Uber Eats delivery.

PJ, I've heard the turning radius is worse, now I get to see how it compares. Aside from a few things, like its lack of climbing ability, I really liked my Volvo. They said this truck isn't necessarily permanent, especially since they want Volvos on tour because of the APUs, our FLs have Opti-Idle, I'm going to try to get back in one after this gig.

Hahaha! I'm guessing I would prefer whatever I started in, until I had enough time in others to compare, but I liked it. They also made me turn in my flipflops with my keys.

Well, I'm back at it. I am starting a tour for Don Omar next week. Yeah, never heard of him either. I got half a trailer of equipment in Shelbyville, TN, then came down to Miami to get the rest of it, arrived at 0830. Figured I'd be on the road by the afternoon. Nope, sat around all day. Around 1600 we added three whole boxes. By 1700 we unloaded half of the half I brought! Then filled it to the back. Just to learn I need to go down the block to get half of that taken off for some reason tomorrow because they're closed for the day. Weird start but oh well. I have most of next week to get to/near Reading, PA, for the first show. So I'm planning on doing whatever shenanigans tomorrow morning brings, then shutting down very early to put myself on nights for the drive up there.

Unrelated, my company unexpectedly put me in a different truck Monday. It's a Freightliner and I've been in a Volvo, yes white 😁, since day one. So I'll be getting used to a different home on wheels while learning/relearning the tour life. In a bit of small-worldness, it's Zen Joker's former rig. He's been extremely helpful not only teaching me things about FLs in general but also this specific one's quirks. Thanks for the hand-me-down buddy! 😁

Your experience is interesting BK. I thought all or most companies don't want an application until it's within 30 days of when you can start.

Maybe applying now though will show JT who is willing to take him on, for when the time gets close, then resubmit.

RD, I have a free app called Sounds where you can choose white, pink, brown, and things like forest. You can use one or click a bunch simultaneously. Honestly I don't use it much, preferring a station on Pandora called Binaural Tranquility Radio which is calming music I use every night. But that app might be good for what you're looking for.