Comments By Deb R.

You could likely find a spare 6 hours a week, especially if you run recaps, but it likely will be in bits and pieces. I find it rare to get a big enough chunk of extra time to do anything that requires preparation/concentration (like getting tax papers organized, for example). But that's how I do things, you may be able to do a bit of that computer work, stop, then pick up again later.

Does your truck have an auto greaser? The alarm on that comes from the center area of the dash. Scared the whooy out of me first time it went off.

I have refused loads only twice: once because my recap hours would not have been enough to cover the trip, second because I had a vacation planned, my truck was acting up, and I wanted to stick closer to home so as not to miss my flight in case of breakdown. Other than that, I just go where I am told. If it's a new area, I figure in a little extra time since I don 't know the roads or where to stop for breaks, and I prefer not going someplace new in the dark if I can help it. The rest is all adventure to me. I have not been northeast much, some New York State, once to Philly shipyards, and those were fine. Other places I have been to that had been played up as sooooo bad, turned out to be no big deal.

Yeah, Steve, I really liked sleeping in a moving truck also. It just seemed so cozy to me. HOWEVER, I did not enjoy sharing the tiny living space, and was very happy to get my own truck!

I just go for an easy spot. I will park way in back if it means I don't have anyone next to me. I avoid truckstops as much as possible, they feel like an accident waiting to happen.

Slightly off topic, but the one bridge I am looking forward for a chance to cross one day in a tractor trailer is the Mackinac Bridge.

Wolding has sent me over the Mac bridge twice; Patrick, let your dispatcher know you'd like one of those loads.

The whole windy bridge thing can be kinda scary. I will go into the "upwind" lane, even if it's not the "correct" lane until I am off a bridge.

Items I have found essential include a 2 lb. hammer (looks like a little sledge hammer), a flat pry bar for pulling nails, screwdriver with interchangeable heads flat, Phillips, and star, a needle nose pliers, vice grips for stuck tandems and pulling nails, ratchet set, leather gloves, lined diesel-proof gloves for fueling, gorilla tape, earplugs. My advice is not to go for cheap generic versions of tools like screwdrivers and vice grips, you need quality that will hold up when you need it. I can get just about everything I need, for good prices, at Farm and Fleet.

Companies will have certain ways they want things logged. For instance, if we are stuck in traffic, my company does NOT want us to switch over to off duty. They say if you are in the truck on a public road, you are ON DUTY. I've been scolded for that one.

Good luck with that handsome flatbedder, Rainy. Much more likely to see a fat dude losing his pants.

Our safety department wants us to call them if we have snow buildup on top of a trailer, and they will figure out what we should do with it. I have yet to see one of these elusive "snow scrapers" anywhere.

Our shop guy claims the Dometics are the best, most durable fridges for a truck.

I haul a lot of paper products out of Appleton and Neenah after delivering to Green Bay.

Even if someone is spotting me, I still GOAL because I need to understand what is going on with the trailer, and ultimately, if I hit something, it would be my responsibility.

Even if you're not hauling meat, you WILL encounter stock trucks. Seeing those poor animals stuffed in there has changed my eating habits.

Sounds like you are on the road with someone who has no business being a trainer. Can you respectfully request the company put you with someone else? The company is paying this driver to teach you the ropes and you are certainly not getting that. It is especially important to be doing as much of the backing as possible, how can you learn if the trainer does it all? I was out for 4 weeks with two different trainers, both were good, yet, I was more than ready to be done with it. You have a great deal of fortitude to be sticking it out under these crummy conditions. IT WILL GET BETTER. Once you are on your own, there will be many new challenges, but at least you are in control of more variables (like showers and food).

OMG.

Spend some quality time with your kitty!

I was thinking the same thing; amazing how civil and professional that officer was. The patience he displayed was remarkable.

I drive for Wolding, but get paid mileage. To my knowledge, the hourly people work the northeast area. Sorry I don't know how that pay system works, but I can tell you that Wolding has been a good company for me. They are especially good about getting drivers hometime.

I have noticed signs for chainup areas, but where and when do you take them off once you're over the hill?