Comments By Bre The Newbie

Congrats Cece! I hope you some how some way you can get a trainer sooner than that. Also I agree with Pacific Pearl. Try going to your local truck stop and watching the drivers maneuver and set up for backing. Also if you know anybody who had a truck that can let you practice driving and backing that would be great. I am happy that you made it through. I cant wait to hear about your adventures in trucking!

Congratulations and safe travels!

Congratulations! Whatever company you decide to go to I wish you nothing but the best and safe travels.

I must disagree with you, Bre! I have transported loads of really useful things in my trailers over the past few years. Useful items I could really see myself using: Zero-turn mowers, John Deere UTV's, Tractor Supply loads, literally tons of pet food, racks of clothing, sporting gear, canning jars, guns, and even two loads of ammo.

I could have become highly attached to those needful things.

Since you put it that way yeah there are quite a few loads I could have got attached to lol..Thanks for the laugh!

Thanks for sharing. It's nice to see more and more drivers in general joining this field. Before truck driving, I was a trained emt, then I did non emergency transport, and after I worked as a driver for a senior nursing facility. I got attached to alot of patients, and seen alot of them die and that took a toll on me.With trucking you cant get attached to freight and I happy that I made this decision. Hopefully more and more people(male and female) would get inspired to drive trucks.

I hope everything works out for you. I'm not at prime but I can tell you my time with my mentor was tough. I got through it the best I can. At this point you really need proof to back up what your saying. I'm sorry your having a hard time. Try to stick it out if you can and if not dont be discouraged, find a way to keep rollin. This may or may not help but when my mentor was being difficult I just did my job and gave him the silent treatment unless we absolutely had to communicate about something other than that i was quiet, no small talk or nothing, and finally he changed his ways. Again I wish you the best and be careful.

Hey George..I completely agree with G-Town be Honest and Do Not Lie. The question ask "If YOU ever used an Illegal Substance? If you have I would still disclose it. I had a lady that was in the academy with me at swift tell them about her substance use years ago after she had back surgery. She was still allowed to stay but she left on her own to find another training program. Dont be discouraged but be honest. Please dont rely on a recruiters word. They are there to recruit. There are decent ones who will be honest and upfront and some not so much. I wish you the best and good luck.

I got frustrated when I had to pick up a trailer from an after hours drop yard that was dropped low( I assume and i could be wrong but the driver used airbag dump and lowered thelanding gear just a little that's why it was so low)..It was not fun trying to crank up a loaded trailer..41000lbs meat load in Nebraska..in order to back under it

I too call in trailer repairs..also I did not know that upon pickup of a preloaded trailer at a customer because I run reefer..if it is not running properly..im not suppose accept the load or move the trailer..just little things I learn each day.

That's common Bre...every week I deal with this at least once...

You could have reversed the same process by dumping your air bag suspension, locking your differential (so in essence you have all the drive-wheels working for you, thus spreading the torque) and creeping under the front lip of the trailer with the 5th-wheel blades. Once under, reintroduce the air into the suspension bags before engaging the kingpin, enabling the truck to-do the heavy lifting for you. At the very least reduces some of the cranking.

By the way... "major kudos" on checking the height BEFORE attempting to get under it. If you were to "skewer" the front of the trailer. it's an easily avoided preventable...

Great job!

Thanks G-Town! That is awesome Information to know. I actually wrote that down in my notebook. Unfortunately I have a 2020 freightliner cascadia, in which I have the differential lock but no button for air bag dump, so it's always going to be a struggle for me. Thanks Again !

I got frustrated when I had to pick up a trailer from an after hours drop yard that was dropped low( I assume and i could be wrong but the driver used airbag dump and lowered thelanding gear just a little that's why it was so low)..It was not fun trying to crank up a loaded trailer..41000lbs meat load in Nebraska..in order to back under it

I too call in trailer repairs..also I did not know that upon pickup of a preloaded trailer at a customer because I run reefer..if it is not running properly..im not suppose accept the load or move the trailer..just little things I learn each day.

Bre says:

I am truely amazed..and to think I had a rookie breakdown moment having to do a drop off in Downtown LA where i had to blind side back off a two lane street into a receiver with two small docks that dipped underground. This is why I love this Forum. When I think things are bad I can always come here for an attitude adjustment, just by looking at what you guys go through on daily basis. This is the reality of Trucking. Thanks for Sharing!

It just takes time and you'll look back at some of the places you stressed about and think "what the heck, that place looks easy!" Backing takes quite a while to master and even then there are days you'll struggle. As long as you get it in without hitting anything it's a success. Not to get off topic too much, but how are you enjoying and adjusting to the OTR lifestyle?if I'm not mistaken you're about 3 months solo right?

Thanks for the advice and thanks for asking. Yes I am actually 4 months solo now. Im adjusting quite well. Definitely was among those that thought I would be making about $100,000 my first year(just exaggerating lol) but that's not the reality of it. Especially being a citizen of the great state of California who just loves to tax the people for any and everything, its crucial that I run good miles each week in order to live comfortably. No complaints though. I enjoy what I do.