Profile For Dave (formerly known as KnowItAll)

Just remember that a car and trailer will react very quickly compared to a tractor and 53' trailer. There is even a very noticeable difference in reaction to the tandems being sucked all the way up and slid all the way back.

I'll get some more details on how we log hours/miles as I talk some more and report back with that, along with my progress.

I got about another hour in this morning. I hooked up a trailer, pulled it around the building and then backed it into a dock. I was able to get it pretty close, but the dock foreman ended up lining up the last bit for me, because I kept getting it just a foot or two off center. I think I'm also going to hook up my small trailer to my car and practice backing. That's the area I feel I am going to need the most work in.

I'm about to head outside to hook up another trailer and back that in.

Congrats Driver!

Good luck!

On the 10 speed manual, think one potato two potato for up shift timing. Clutch and out, clutch and in.

Down shifting is a little more tricky but same principle. Add a rev in the middle also watch you RPMs and speed. Ask the Instructor about speed and gear matching to aid in missed shift recovery.

Hope that helps.

To answer you question, yes regardless how you got the CDL. It's seat time and OJT.

What it comes down to is a 160hr school only teaches you so much. They don't teach how to deal with shippers and receivers or how to drive in adverse weather. Dealing with big city traffic in a down poor is one example.

With that in mind, in that 40k you'll learn so much. Enough that once you go solo you will be pretty much self sufficient.

At Jim Palmer/Wil-Trans they will bring you on but you'll still do 40k mile before you can solo. 20k C-seat and 10k B2 and 10k B2.

So the 40k rule- If I attended a 160 hour school, would it be any less, or is it the same 40k rule regardless of how I got my CDL?

At Jim Palmer/Wil-Trans they will bring you on but you'll still do 40k mile before you can solo. 20k C-seat and 10k B2 and 10k B2.

Doing pre trip is far more than memorizing a bunch of words. It's about knowing what to look for and recognizing if something is wrong. Is there a leak? Does all the lights work? Something look off with that right steer? Did some jerk pull the fifth wheel release? All these and many more could lead to a very bad day if not caught by doing a pre/post trip inspection.

Holy smokes! How time flies when you're having fun! Another 3 weeks since the last update. This one will be a short one with a longer update coming in a week or two. The list of states I haven't driven through is way shorter the the ones I have. Last count I'm missing 11 states.

Some time a few weeks ago I was upgraded to B2 and didn't even know until I looked at my pay stub. And the really big new is that I should be upgrading to B1 very soon. What that means is I'll be going solo! Possible next week! Name an emotion and I'm experiencing it. Excitement, scared, happy, apprehension but it's time to rip the training wheels off and ride!

Next step will for me to go on my solo week (or 2) and if all goes well I'll upgrade to A-seat.

Anyway, I've got a long list of my travels (snow and rain) and missteps (wrong turns!). I'm running a little short on time now but hopefully will have some time this coming week.

Until next time!

Bill D. urine test only but that is always subject to change.

Hey Dave just wanted to thank you for all the info on your journey with JP. I have one question regarding their drug testing policy. Do they require urine test, hair follicle test or both and if hair test, is the spot where they remove the hair very noticeable? Will I have a big bald spot on my head? Thanks again.

Respectfully, Bill D.

Welp, day 1 down! This is going to be a short update. First off was the DOT physical. I passed! Next was a tour of the place. Lunch then drug screening. Rest of the day was orientation and signing on the dotted line.

First thing tomorrow will CLP test.

Tired, need a shower and sleep now.

Until next time!

I don't have anything but good things to say about the Wilson Logistics companies (Jim Palmer Trucking - Missoula MT & Wil-Trans - Springfield MO).

There are a lot of things your trainer will help with. The weather aspect is one of them. Focus on getting your CDL first. This is a process with many steps. Don't try to skip over any! Don't get me wrong here, wind is a serious issue and shouldn't be glossed over.

Fresh snow is awesome to look at! Just don't want to mess up that pristine snow by driving on it.

What's the matter? You don't think snow is beautiful?

Agreed, the colors are beautiful! It's what comes next that worries me.

I love all the color this time of year.

Here's a shot I took while on a walk in Riverdale, New Jersey during the fall...

Here is one I took. Location: weigh station before Denver on i70

About the only YouTube trucker I watch is Trucker Wayne. Good attitude and from what I can tell good advice.

Sounds like I got super lucky last week! Denver to Salt Lake City on i80. Pass going into Salt Lake is cool but looked like it had snowed some. Winter is coming and it's going to hit the western 11 early.

I am actually on my way back to Springfield terminal. But I probably won't arrive until Monday.

ill.probably be heading out monday night...but perhaps we can do a quick Hey Yo!

Went through Springfield early Sunday morning. Fuel and a wash. I has asleep and trainer was driving. LOL.

I'm training with a smaller company, 750 to 800ish trucks. The really cool part, I have access to all of Prime's facilities! Plus, when I have the chance to stop at my "home" terminal in Missoula they know me by name. My pay is the same as a Prime TnT. So in my book, WIN WIN and another WIN!

TL;DR I'm blessed with a small company and the benefits of a mega.

700 trucks is NOT a small company. My company has around 350 trucks. Small (imo,) is anything less 100. 101 to 999 trucks, I would classify as mid size.

93% of all trucking companies have fewer than 6 trucks. 97% have fewer than 20 trucks. Anything above 100 trucks puts a company in the upper 1% of carriers based on size.

LOL. Should have said small company feel. I had just woke up before posting that.

I'm training with a smaller company, 750 to 800ish trucks. The really cool part, I have access to all of Prime's facilities! Plus, when I have the chance to stop at my "home" terminal in Missoula they know me by name. My pay is the same as a Prime TnT. So in my book, WIN WIN and another WIN!

TL;DR I'm blessed with a small company and the benefits of a mega.

Over the past month I've stop multiple times. Tired eyes, smoke break, stressful stretch of road (twisty turny down grades at night, stop, take a few deep breaths). Then there times I get into a groove and drive 600-650 miles on my shift.

Feel drowsy? For the love of all that's bright and shiny, pull over and take a nap! If needed (running tight on an appointment), call dispatch and tell them what's up. They'll understand.

I hate driving in the rain especially at night. Dial it down a few mph and be safe.

Word have never been spoken that ring more true!