Officially Solo :)

Little Sis- You get an A+ for enthusiasm and A++ for perseverance. Keep posting. Love 'em.

Congratulations! Best of luck to you, enjoy yourself, and be safe out there.

Having read your journey, this awesome to hear! I'm so happy for you. I know you have earned it. congrats sunshine and have fun and be safe.

Brett, just out of curiousity, did you ever get really tight feet the first few months? I get out of bed in the morning (it's really a pathetic scene) and my first steps are pure agony. Feet are so tight my calves almost cramp up! Any suggestions?

I know this used to happen to me. It was plantar facitis, if I spelt that right. I do not know if it is the same thing. I was on steroids, injections, and ended up having surgery. Haven't had a problem since. Anyway, I hope that is not what it is, but that is how I felt. I'd wake up and almost fall to my knees. Felt like someone was sticking a knife through the bottom of my foot into my leg. Good luck! Awesome to see you out on your own!

I know this used to happen to me. It was plantar facitis, if I spelt that right. I do not know if it is the same thing. I was on steroids, injections, and ended up having surgery. Haven't had a problem since. Anyway, I hope that is not what it is, but that is how I felt. I'd wake up and almost fall to my knees. Felt like someone was sticking a knife through the bottom of my foot into my leg. Good luck! Awesome to see you out on your own!

Indeed! I've had that too. It does feel like someone is putting a knife through the middle of your foot. Mine has finally gone away. From everything I've read about it there isn't a whole lot to do but let it run its course, but it takes a long time. Mine took easily a year. It's not constant pain, but you'll notice it more when you've been sitting around. When you walk around it works itself out after a bit.

One thing I found was that pointing your toes makes it worse. Pulling your toes back like you're trying to point them toward the sky helped me a lot.

Top the hill, nice easy slope then ooops it is 6% for the next 3 miles. Get to see a lot of brake lights on that hill.

I try my very hardest to only use the brakes when absolutely necessary. My adopted motto has become "Brakes are for emergencies, not for roadtrips." Needless to say, I had to pry some seat cushion from my bumbum at the bottom.

You are an inspiration for anyone male, female, short, tall, scrawny, buff, thick, young or old who wants to be a CMV Operator. I've read your posts since your first stumble and have been inspired myself to roll on and push through my own personal struggles in an attempt to match your enthusiasm and willingness to take that extra step to succeed.

Keep on Rollin GIRL. Congrats and safe drivin!!

Thank you! It's humbling to think that I've inspired anyone. I delivered my first load today :) Met some aweome people including another female flatbedder. She was my angel today! Helped me get to my second stop which was super tricky because there are drainage ditches on either side of the road to the consignee's bay. Still learning how to eyeball the space needed for turns like that. All worked beautifully with her help! It was a blessing for sure :)

Little Sis- You get an A+ for enthusiasm and A++ for perseverance. Keep posting. Love 'em.

I'm sure I'll have more stories later :) The days are just full of them! And all good, if you think about it...I figure I may not be able to control what happens, but I have total control over my reaction.

I appreciate the encouragement that ALL of you have given me! I would quote and respond to eacg one but my fingers are tucked out. Waiting on my next load assignment. Going to try to get some shut eye...4 solid hours simply isn't enough.

Ps: I think it's totally plantar fascitis! As a former massage therapist, you'd think I'd remember the symptoms from the clients I treated with it!

Lil Syster/Sunshine/Melly, Whatever name you go by, don't leave Trucking Truth behind. You write well, and have a SMILE that shines through your writing. Keep us updated with your adventures, and drop off some advice as needed. We appreciate you!

Grats Sunshine, so cool to hear your stories! Keep it up!

I do have a question for you, though. Are you glad you went straight to Flatbedding? I know I would love to do it, or possibly Tanker, but I keep thinking I should drive van or Reefer first. I should be starting in Feb or March, just need to narrow down all the particulars. Thanks!

Lil Syster/Sunshine/Melly, Whatever name you go by, don't leave Trucking Truth behind. You write well, and have a SMILE that shines through your writing. Keep us updated with your adventures, and drop off some advice as needed. We appreciate you!

Thank you Errol :) My name is Melody. But my mom always called me "Sunshine" and my family calls me "Melly". "Little Syster" came from my orientation at System (The spelling was actually The Persian Conversion's idea, if I remember right). I've always been the smallest (height, not width ;) ) and one day I was joking about being like the annoying little sister. It stuck :) I'm glad that you all like my posts. Sometimes I don't feel like I write well, but it's usually when I'm tired. I have more stories to share that I'll post about once I get out from under this load and have a minute to creatively compose :)

Grats Sunshine, so cool to hear your stories! Keep it up!

I do have a question for you, though. Are you glad you went straight to Flatbedding? I know I would love to do it, or possibly Tanker, but I keep thinking I should drive van or Reefer first. I should be starting in Feb or March, just need to narrow down all the particulars. Thanks!

Thanks Magoo! Good question - I was going to do the same thing you're thinking about doing. I'm just not a very patient person, so I jumped in head first. I really, really like flatbed. It's truly exhausting though and, if I'm honest, frustrating. The exhaustion comes from the physical work, in part. But since I'm so new, it's also making sure you do your securement in the right order, trip plan so you know approximately where each load check needs to happen, being constantly vigilant that nothing is coming loose or that any of your securement equipment is damaged, etc. I can see where there would be a lot of cross-over between driving other types, but I think with flatbed the physical aspect is the real kicker. And I'm soooooooo slooooooowwwww right now with securement. That's the frustrating part. Well that and being a rookie. I constantly feel like I'm making rookie mistakes. It takes me about 2 - 2.5 hrs to properly and aesthetically secure and tarp a load. And by the end of it I'm completely drenched in sweat. And then I have to drive...like right away. Sitting in my sweaty dirty clothes because every minute counts. I shower daily even though the loads I've had aren't same day deliveries so I'm not a big ball of gross every day. But would I trade it? Go back? Switch? Nah. I'm too stubborn and I need a type of work that will meet me, greet me, shake my hand, maybe even smack me across the face a little. Then I smirk and whisper...

"Challenge Accepted"