Comments By Petro Hauler

I showered twice a day most days when I was on the road. But sometimes I was too tired to shower lol. Definitely extra socks and underwear. Also painkillers because you WILL have a headache or stomach ache or whatever. Your trainer may have some, but better be safe. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SHOWER SHOES!!! I'm sure we all agree on that.

What's the going rate for a shower nowadays in a truck stop if you don't have shower credits? I remember back in the day it was about $5.00

Thanks guys, I think I have made my decision, looks like the Rand for me....Thanks again for the advice....

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered many times but somewhere along the line I missed them all... What is the best GPS to purchase? I've heard the Rand McNally was top of the line for truckers....Any thoughts??

Thanks for the reply's. Sorry it took so long for me to respond but as some of you may know, we here in the Charlotte area of NC have been paralyzed by 8-10" of snow....HaHa!! No seriously, my internet has been down for a couple of days, I have a smart phone but it's too aggravating for me to go online and try to see that little screen....Thanks again, I've checked out the links and the threads from Tracy, I'm hearing the same things here that I've heard from all the others I've talked to....

I'm scheduled to finish school in mid March. I have applied to Watkins & Shepard Trucking after hearing good reports from current and former drivers. I was shocked to receive a phone call just one day after submitting my application. I talked with a recruiter in Montana, he said everything looked great on my application and could I report to the Conover N.C. Terminal on March 24th for orientation. Anyone on here familiar with this company? Just doing all the research I can before committing to anyone.

Guys, I know everyone learns at their own pace. It's always been easy for me to pick things up. I have previous driving experience, I went to truck driving school back in the early 80's, then a DWI in my personal vehicle put an end to my driving career. Now my driving record is clean for 20+ years I'm ready to go at it again. I guess I just get aggravated when they seem to not care if they learn it or not. One of them made the comment to me, I just want to pass, the Trucking Co. I go to work for will train me. I sincerely hope he paid attention to me when I told him, if you get invited to orientation and you can't straight back a truck, you are done, you're going home...Simple as that, end of story...

I just finished my third week of school. I'm a weekend student. I am amazed at the number of weekday students that come in on the weekends for extra time in the trucks on the backing range....Most of these are students that have completed their 160 hours of training and are trying to test out... they have passed their driving skills and the pre trip but have failed on numerous attempts at backing. These people have no clue how to back a truck, they cannot straight line, offset and trust me 90's are completely out of the question... As long as the instructor is walking beside the truck telling them, turn left, turn right, they can put the trailer into any hole. When the instructor steps away and they try it themselves, I have witnessed them completely jackknife a truck while trying to straight back... and no I'm not blaming the instructors, I have been very satisfied with the instructors at the school, they are very knowledgeable and more than willing to help. It bothers me a little that management allows these students to come on the weekends and take up my time that I paid for, when it's clear they are never going to get it. It also scares me to think that these could be future truckers of America. Sorry to complain, just needed to get that off my chest...

I just started school this past Saturday the 18th. (weekend student) I know graduation is 9 weeks away but I have been doing a lot of research on different carriers. I think I've narrowed it down to the three I really want to concentrate on the most, Schneider, Trans Am and Roehl. I will apply with other carriers just in case none of these work out. I am concerned with one thing though, my knees, I spent a lot of years putting down carpet and other floor coverings, crawling around under houses and other construction related duties. (Too hard headed to wear knee pads) I don't have a problem walking or climbing, my problems come from squatting and crawling. How or will this affect my pre employment physical assessment? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated....

Trust me, I'm reading and very interested. I just started Trucking School on Saturday Jan. 18th. I'm seriously looking into Schneider. One thing I have some concerns about are my knees, I spent too many years laying carpet and floor covering without knee pads. I don't have a problem walking or climbing, it's squatting and crawling that give me some trouble.. Any thoughts?

Thanks Brett, that's what I was applying for were pre-hires. I went through the list and only applied with company's that hire student drivers. I'll try again, thanks....