Comments By Cowboy

Delco Dave, and G-Town,

Loved this diary. I remember going out on the road with my dad (O/O for almost ten years). He's been gone since 2016 and I miss him so much, he was my best friend. My brother was an O/O also for a few years until he became disabled. I learned so much about the "Real" daily life of a long-haul trucker from my many trips with both of them.

By the way, both my dad and my brother would tell anyone to NOT be an Owner/Operator and definitely NOT be a Lease/Operator. The simple fact is, according to them, company drivers make just as much money but without the added stress and headaches and with more driver support and resources. (That was just a freebie LOL)

You are very wise to pair up with a good, experienced driver to get some real-world experience, before taking the plunge. Not everyone can do that, for a variety of reasons, but for those who can, I would highly recommend it. I'm flattered that you'll be following my training diary and I will definitely be following along with you as well.

SHOUT OUT to G-Town.....It shows a lot of character and dedication to your industry that you (and others like you, I'm sure) are willing to give of your time and energy, and share your home-on-wheels with a virtual stranger to help them get a leg-up on this career path. You, sir, are the reason I've always told my wife and kids that if you brake down in the middle of nowhere and can't find a cop, flag down a trucker over anybody else. They are professionals, accountable to the law more so than any other drivers on the road, and knowledgeable enough to know what to do, besides the fact many of them have families back at home themselves. I salute you, G-Town, and hope to see you out there on the road one of these days.

Happy New Year to you Both

Tue, 31 Dec 2019

Well, this is my last week of work at my "Old Job". I've had the flu for the past two days, so stuck at home, sick as a dog and never far away from the toilet. I'm due in Marshfield Wi on 13 Jan, so glad to get this crap out of the way before then. I'm waiting on a call from my recruiter's associate, who will ensure that all the t's are crossed and I's are dotted, then will receive my lodging information. It's about a 9-10 hour drive from my home in Missouri so I will be leaving early on Sunday, Jan 12th. Can't wait, and neither can my wife. We're ready to get this next chapter of our lives under way and to face the new challenges that await.

In the meantime, doing a lot of studying on pre-trip and watching instructional videos on that and backing. I'll have to pass a Missouri CDL skills test so I'll have to parallel park an 18 wheeler. Ouch! Anyway, trying to stay patient and get prepared. Getting ducks in a row here at home as well.

Happy New Year to Everyone and Stay Safe!

This diary has been such a "page-turner" Wild-Bill. Thank you so much for sharing everything about your experience. I have hung on every word. After reading, and re-reading many parts, I am even more confident and determined that I have made the right decision to be a long-haul truck driver and to do it through Roehl's GYCDL program. I won't be able to match yours or Wine Tasters' diaries, but I will carry on your tradition by sharing my experience through a training diary. I'm due to start in Marshfield on 13 Jan. I can't wait and your diary has both made me more excited and more serious about my pre-study.

One of the best things about these diaries is that my wife and I read them together, so she gets a "feel" for what to expect of my time there, rather than just taking my word for it. She too has a strengthened respect and admiration for our countries truck drivers (last of the cowboys), and is excited for this new chapter in our lives as well.

Can't wait to read about your Phase 2 training. God bless and Happy New Year!

Thanks for the info on fuel gloves, G-Town. Great Advice!

Merry Christmas to All!

G-Town,

Thanks for the info. That's what I needed to hear. I'll be doing dry-van so it sounds perfect. Between you, Wild-Bill, and the instructors at Roehl, Marshfield, Wi (so I hear), I'm sold. Just ordered a large one from Amazon for about $38. Much appreciated and it will be perfect for after training too.

Cowboy, thanks for your service!

I agree that Roehl is a great choice. The training is about as good as it gets. I know you’ve been reading along with my diary, so, you’re prepared for the highs and lows. I know by your comments that you’re a fighter and will push through to get it done.

If you’re looking for gear for the trip. I’d recommend a high visibility winter coat like this. The instructors all have one and about half the students in my class including myself ended up buying one (early Christmas present in my case). Size it large enough to go over your layers. You have to wear a something high-vis in the yard. They’ll provide you a vest if you need but the coat is much nicer.

Wild-Bill, Are these coats pretty warm? It's hard to tell from the picture how thick and heavy they might be. Thanks, Cowboy

A few more photos:

A few more photos....a little bored watching the ballgame.

Just posting some photos here so they'll be added to my gallery.

I want to upload photos to my TT Profile. I have an Avatar photo, which I want to keep. The only option I'm given on the "Update Profile" page is to upload a new Avatar Photo. It replaces the one I want to keep, but it doesn't add photos to my My Photos like I see on most everybody else's profiles. I've tried emailing photo attachments to photos@photos.truckingtruth.com (doesn't work). How do you guys get photos on your profile page?