Comments By Keith G.

Not sure how every company works. But our loads are supposed to be no touch. One time I had to manually unload 40,000lbs I called my dispatch, updated them, and continued my work. I had a nice welcome bonus in my check the next week, courtesy of the receiver who's staff was "supposed" to unload.

Granted, the only time I could see refusing to unload is if you are physically unable to do so. I know a few drivers that agreed to no touch contracts because they've got a bad knee or something. They'd literally be unable to move 40,000lbs without causing themselves injury. For that, I understand. Besides that, the faster you unload the faster you get another load.

Keith the satellite image is rather deceiving...most of the access road from the front of the Club winding around to the rear typically have trailers parallel parked lining the path.

Many of the Sam's are like a drop kit.

I think I'll let yall handle these fun little locations! I'm having enough fun between Atlanta and Detroit on a regular basis ha!

Possible to just back all around the building if you make sure no trucks would be incoming? I have a couple regular pickup/drop locations that require me to back up nearly 2 1/2 blocks up a hill and around 2 buildings to nearly blind dock.

Depending on how busy the north side was I would honestly consider backing and finishing with an alley dock.

I would not recommend that, no. Too busy, plus you'd need to back from the front of the store to the dock, with next to no lighting.

Ah got cha. Looked pretty lit, but likely other trucks making that illusion. For sure a interesting location.

Possible to just back all around the building if you make sure no trucks would be incoming? I have a couple regular pickup/drop locations that require me to back up nearly 2 1/2 blocks up a hill and around 2 buildings to nearly blind dock.

Depending on how busy the north side was I would honestly consider backing and finishing with an alley dock.

Driven under 13'6" too. Just dropped the bags lol! Trucks thankfully don't grow taller with weight.

Maybe just me. But I smell a troll. 40-100 grand a year off interest means home boy has between 2.5 - 5 million in the bank. Based off his 2% interest growth he mentioned. If he's got so much money banked why even bother with working for a couple hundred bucks a week. Why even bother asking folks about a lease if he's so well off. Should talk with his financial advisor instead lol

That's about all I'm gonna add to this non-nonsensical post.

I've not paid for a shower since I started driving and I shower daily. My reward card is maxed out and I add 1-2 per day lol

I route plan pretty well, if I know I won't be shutdown at a TA/Petro I take my mandatory 30 after fueling and shower off.

I'll pass off my 0.2c as another fellow Vet of 8 years and my own assortment of baggage.

First, Keith G., I went to college down there in FL. Nice to see a Floridian. Thank you for your service brother. I don't disagree with anything you have said, and I thank you. Yes I haven't gotten "VA" treatment, but I have used the VA's resources to self-educate and "treat" myself, but I am not against taking your advice. You have actually said exactly what my plan was going to be.

My thoughts: begin revisiting the VA getting treatments and getting things restarted with VA in order to know I have somewhere to fall when I slip or guidance when it is needed as well as continued treatment. Get the IU and P&T removed and go back to trucking just a bit of time after everything is in place.

I can only do so much by myself, and I have done great, but I will need that support system, or at least continued treatment established before I ever go back to work.

That's the correct attitude brother.

From my own experience it's very hard for the VA to reduce your rating. Think about how much ass pain it was for them to figure out the rating the first time..and then they've gotta do it again? HA!

I don't know about other locations. But the new facility in Orlando is great and my Daytona Out patient clinic in my home town does a pretty outstanding job getting me into a doc within a week or two for none critical issues. So get that treatment and get yourself ready.

You sound hungry for the road, so get yourself mentally and physically fit so you can feed that beast.

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

As silly as it sounds, you just gotta find a way to sleep to be safe. Being an Army vet I learned very quickly how to sleep when able, even when my mind and body said "I Don't wanna sleep!". Turn off any lights, stay away from phone screens, TV's etc. The blue light tricks the mind into thinking it's not sleep time.

Find your triggers that keep you awake and try to avoid them. Hell, I still jump up throughout the night cause my truck decides 3am is a great time to regen...Grrr..

I'll pass off my 0.2c as another fellow Vet of 8 years and my own assortment of baggage.

First off, I highly encourage you to fully through with what the doctors are prescribing you for medication and treatment. Why even bother draining the limited VA appointments and treatment options if you are not even going to use it correctly? Yea medication sucks, you spent your career as a rough and tough infantry. That looked at those who went to sick-call as wimps or pogs whichever term you selected. Nothing wrong with wanting to tough something out, but if you've need and sought treatment I encourage you to follow through with it.

I perhaps get and understand the mindset, trust me I've been there and still have months of rough patches. But when I feel the slip I make sure to get the help and follow through with what's instructed.

As for Trucking, it may not be as stressful as the sandbox, patrols, or whatever else you may have experienced in the service. But it comes with it's own stress factors that you may not be ready for till you get things in order. Your highly focused for 11-14 hours a day, you sleep in tight confines, solitude, tight timelines, and other factors that can greatly wear down even hardened individuals.

My honest and short answer. Is complete the treatment you've started, get your medical issues settled or under control and take a honest look inside yourself. Is spending weeks or months out on the road really what you want? If you are looking to make some side cash plenty of other career fields that might better mesh with your skill set and education.