Comments By mikemotorbike

So i'm not sure if i am allowed to share my driver training story here, i'm just canadian, and this is an American site. maybe Brent won't notice. Sorry if I am breaking the rules. :-)

just joshing ya! I am not that much of an blushing flower--- a shy and sweet Canadian: I am a Truck-Canuck with my Balls to the Wall!

Me: Where do I begin the story?

You: How about – at the beginning!

The beginning is when I felt I made a commitment:

not when a ferries mechanic biker buddy sized me up as a trucker six months ago, which really gave me the idea and started this whole thing not when I got bored of moping around like a sad sack of potatoes after a breakup not when I ceremoniously left drama queens and kings and my old ways not when I exercised and got fitter not when I researched ways to enhance attention, memory, focus and mood not when I passed my medical, after watching my diet not when I passed the beginners written test not when on my way to a trucking interview, I picked up a hitchhiking trucker (I must have a sixth sense), who invited me to the funeral of a bus driver, where I felt I met my new family, serendipitously meeting the rep of Waste Management, whom coincidentally I had interviewed yesterday, after chatting with their driver with whom I got along famously, meeting him filling up at the card lock where I get my 0% ethanol midgrade, which I went to following the advice of a trucker friend. Do you see a pattern here? not when I paid the trucking course deposit not when I got new winter tires, to go over the Coquihalla Mountain not when I practiced self-dicipline, self-defence, self-respect, consistent habits, to-do lists, effective social skills and tied up loose ends

not even when I got lucky...

In the end, it was the challenge to find a cheap motel which cracked me.

I was having difficulty deciding which one. Ultimately, I was putting off confronting that I will be living in a new home, in a new life, and a different, more better attitude. I will be attending a month long course in another town, and working in a new State..of mind.

My beginning happened when I rented a bachelor, and my old self died. I made the commitment when my money talked and my bull**** walked.

Now, I feel different; vaporous–yet secure, like I am finally almost there. As I move toward my goal, I can offer my honest testimony as a student. There are steps I would like to share; practical tips, insights. I start school in 15 days.

I have to prepare a box of stuff for the journey across the mountain. As I listen in the predawn light of a new spring to the trucks roarrrrring by as they shake my cottage on the highway as they have always done, for 18 years. But now, there is a different, living, urgent sound to them calling me to run with them, a call to fun, and a future. Or am I that dense that it took me this long to finally hear them calling my name?

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Upcoming: making a decision: what kind of trucking job?

https://www.truckingtruth.com/truckers-forum/Topic-1351/Page-1/list-of-questions-to-ask-a-recruiter#

I was just wondering the same thing. What if you can't sleep, and only have 8 hours? I am not a trucker yet, but I like to watch my health.

Recently, on 1/24/2018, Coast to Coast AM had the excellent depression researcher Johann Hari, who says depression is not a chemical imbalance, it's a sign of personal needs not being met. Maybe someone will upload the C2C interview onto youtube.

"Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression | Johann Hari | RSA Replay" https://youtu.be/k-MgYy2hfaU

General health tip, just sent to me by my buddy -A simple 30 min walk a day- "23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?" https://youtu.be/aUaInS6HIGo

Awesome story Dart, congrats on the start of your new life in a successful career and dream! Thank-you for showing how it's done. Telling your story candidly as you do and revealing how you successfully surmount challenges offers insight into how we can persevere through unanticipated events.

(I'm a non-driver studying for the written test.)

Q 11. Moving 5th Wheel: Why do this?

Here in BC Canada, the "Driving Commercial Vehicles" handbook states: "If the rear of the tractor is too close to the trailer landing gear and the tractor has a sliding fifth wheel, reposition the fifth wheel to provide clearance." pg82 http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/driving-guides/Pages/Driving-commercial-vehicles.aspx

Question 11 was answered earlier as adjusting weight distribution between front and drive wheels, to set the weight at the steering axle to be under 12,000 lbs, I believe. Thank you, that makes sense.

Thanks everyone. I was able to edit my pre/post trip down to one minute, and "break off duty" for two minutes, so when I approved it for the day, I was actually two minutes prior to violation lol. I really was nervous about it though. I know if I had some time in with the company it wouldn't be an issue, but being a new driver I thought it would look negatively on my time management and trip planning skills.

Any experienced truckers care to offer newbies some guidance on possible repercussions from logbook redaction?

Sorry for your breakdown. Did you try cranking it in gear, if you have a manual tranny? Sometimes a truck can develop a flat spot on the flywheel and it won't do anything. Get pulled forward several feet, or manually turn the motor over, and it will start again. Your window sounds like a burned out motor to me.

Problem: Window motors get weak.

Solution: Lubricate the weather-sealed side and top tracks with silicone spray, and/or place hands on either side of window in a praying-hands position, and push together to force window up, while a helper presses the switch. If no helper, one hand pushing hard up while other on switch.

....if you learn anything from that guy, learn to focus on all the many great things about this career. Then you can be one of the top level professionals who are enjoying themselves out here....

Old School, I recognize, admire and endevour to cultivate your attitude. Choosing to see the positive and offering constructive assistance– a true helper.