Comments By Tracy M.

On my last week. Mostly driving and backing and then the skills test on Saturday. Need some work on my in-cab and learning to take my down shifting at a slower pace. Most will come with experience I hope. Winetaster the chaining up is not to hard and if you chain up you own vehicle think of it with two tires. Our instructor showed us some ideas so as not have to lay on the ground when pulling through. Me personally if don't have to sit it out.

First two days you spend reviewing practices tests and then take all six tests for your permit. Once done they put you in class with the instructor who goes over the book in more detail and you start getting ready for the Pre-Trip Inspection portion of the driving side. The third day we went out and did coupling and uncoupling, fourth day worked on the Pre-Trip Inspection Sequence along with the Air Brake Test Sequence, Fifth day class room and then out to learn chaining up. Learned a few new ways to that, although I hope I never have to do. Looking forward to the coming week.

First Day at Sage. Practice tests and written tests. Like trucking truths better they have been such a big help and just referred a fellow student to the site to help him feel more comfortable with his new career choice. Tomorrows another day of reading.

I start school on Monday with Sage in Coeur d'Alene, ID. I have spoke to a recruiter at the school from Werner and looking for some input on the training side and spoke to one for May Trucking. Looking into a couple others once I get through school.

Looking at possibly driving for Werner after school, what does the training involve-duration-drive time-elogs-paperwork-miles. Do you like the company? Do drive dry or flat? If I go with Werner my training will take place in Fontana, CA. Any input is greatly appreciated.

See you on Monday

Petro in Salina, KS was my favorite. Clean and extra towels. But that has been a few years. Most of the truck stop showers are clean and yes remember to take flip flops or shower shoes. The most interesting one was in Van Horn, TX-separate showers for men and women. My ex and I always shared the shower so that was a first, there was only room for one person and you had to take a fast shower or you were taking a cold shower was interesting. Have to keep your sense of humor. Happy trucking

No Twitter. Do use FB once in awhile to keep up with family and check in on TT's page , but go to the source is far better than all the links.

The video is a classic and yes they should make one for truckers. I raise my cows for the same purpose as Brett and hate to see them go, but that is what they were raised for. Have a friend who hauls livestock and loves it, went with him once to see if it was something I would like to do, the only draw back is your load moves around alot, but would do if I could find someone to take on a soon to be a new driver. Just remember you have to wash that trailer out after most loads before you reload, specially if you don't just haul cows. Good Luck

After reading and trying to understand government language - The jest is that you need to have a PM filter installed on your truck if your Engine is not a 2010, not the truck, but the Engine. You need to have registered your truck Engine with CARB by January of last year. You had to January 31, 2014 to have met the compliance to be allowed into CA. But as with all government you may file an exemption form requesting an extension, which would allow you time to become compliant. Go to www.arb.ca.gov - click on Registration/Permits in the left hand column- then go to Truck & Bus Regulations. There are some tabs at the top that will help also in the body of the page gives some explanation on the good faith forms. I had to do this with my ex's 1993 Freightliner and again with his 2010 Freightliner, mind you his 2010 has a 2004 Engine and is not compliant with the state of CA. He has to file a good faith form. All trucks have to have a 2010 Engine or newer by 2023 to run the state, unless someone can come up with action to rescind this hindering piece of truck legislation. Or - do what a lot are doing just don't run the state. PM filters start at 2500 and up and does not include the labor to have it installed on your truck when I did some looking for the 1993 FrtLiner. Also a side note they also have a prevision regarding the type of tires that can be run on trailers in the state, although I have not seen or read much on that lately. You might also be able to get some information from OOIDA's web page. Do your reading and call the CARB office if you do not understand and really need to run CA. Hope this helps a bit, is still confusing to me, but got the forms filled out. Good Luck