I Just Moved From Boise, ID To Lawton, OK.

Very perceptive Bobcat! You win the prize today!

Awesome what did I win?

Really? This is the next reincarnation of Todd? I don't mind answering this guy's questions if he's for real, but not if he's Todd. Is there a troll detection device button that I haven't found yet?

A few things set off my detection device, Todd lived in Boise and said he would be moving, the obession with food at truck stops but mostly the over the top writing style

Very perceptive Bobcat! You win the prize today!

Awesome what did I win?

Really? This is the next reincarnation of Todd? I don't mind answering this guy's questions if he's for real, but not if he's Todd. Is there a troll detection device button that I haven't found yet?

A few things set off my detection device, Todd lived in Boise and said he would be moving, the obession with food at truck stops but mostly the over the top writing style

For me It was clear based off the name. Very rare does anybody use their full name.

I'm more than willing to offer advice to this person as long as they're serious. What got everyone all ruffled with "todd" was the extreme fatigue he was "diagnosed" with and only wanted into trucking if some old lady kept him out of her will. Regardless of the past, if this individual is serious I think we should offer the advice asked. People who aren't familiar with the past unfortunately will see threads like this and not come back because they dont want to feel like they're being picked on.

I guess there is ample reason to be skeptical about trolls. I find it somewhat discouraging to have to take this kind of thing into consideration. Brett started this forum to help new drivers and really, all drivers, learn and progress and eventually to teach. All the regulars from seasoned vets to green rookies try to make positive contributions and this is what makes things here educational, fun and rewarding. One word about the Troll factor: SAD

I would probably use Walmart to my advantage if there is a damn place to park at one.

many times you're allowed to shop at walmart, you just cant park overnight. The majority of stores I've seen with trucks there overnight tend to be in more rural areas. For the most part the major cities and suburbs have ordinances against it. Another option would be parking behind the store if you can do so without preventing anyone from using the dock although I've seen some stores that wont even allow that. Trucker path app has an option to show walmarts that allow truck parking.

I guess there is ample reason to be skeptical about trolls. I find it somewhat discouraging to have to take this kind of thing into consideration. Brett started this forum to help new drivers and really, all drivers, learn and progress and eventually to teach. All the regulars from seasoned vets to green rookies try to make positive contributions and this is what makes things here educational, fun and rewarding. One word about the Troll factor: SAD

This is true, but even Todd or what ever he wants to call himself did ask some stuff that maybe useful for others. Trolls like that one who said they are above truckers served no purpose other to entertain themselves

I would probably use Walmart to my advantage if there is a damn place to park at one.

many times you're allowed to shop at walmart, you just cant park overnight. The majority of stores I've seen with trucks there overnight tend to be in more rural areas. For the most part the major cities and suburbs have ordinances against it. Another option would be parking behind the store if you can do so without preventing anyone from using the dock although I've seen some stores that wont even allow that. Trucker path app has an option to show walmarts that allow truck parking.

Thank you, Rob T. That is helpful information. I will be seeking the state voc/rehab agency here in Oklahoma and try to get them approve a new driving career for me that they would support and pay for training. Yes, I am now In the Sooner State 90 miles south of Oklahoma City.

Any serious questions I have over the future I will ask here. I do want to learn how to economize. Making money is my number one concern. If there were no money (considerable personal net gains) in trucking, nobody would be interested. I see no point in driving trucks only to throw away every dollar you make on living expenses incurred over the highway. Does Brett here have any good learning resources here on Home Economics for Drivers? Yes, I do have an associate's degree.

I'd suggest skipping getting the government to pay for it and instead go to Paid CDL Training Programs. They could likely get you un as early as next week or the week after as opposed to waiting months for the government to approve you. Your training would be free after you fulfill your contract, which is usually only working for them about a year. Most members here have gone that route and have stayed with that company much longer than their obligation.

Bruce, so how do you eat day to day? I would probably want to eat a full-course diner breakfast and dinner and maybe do the Coleman cooler thing for lunches and snacks. I could not live on a solid diet of cold sandwiches out of a cooler. The per diem pay is supposed to offset hot prepared meal costs and I gather "free meals" can be had with fuel fill-ups. A barber once told me that back in the 1970's, truck stops gave all-you-can-eat breakfasts for about $3.00. I only tip $2.00 max. The approach I take towards food is to #1: Always eat in the truck. #2: Combine eating with other tasks, for example, eat on your 30 dot break, eat while detained for live loads, eat while doing paperwork, have healthy snacks within easy reach when you are driving. Your main task is to drive the truck safely, efficiently and on a timely basis. So don't let food be your primary focus. I see truckers at truck stops, pick up & delivery locations, that are incredibly obese and you have a pretty good idea where their focus is and their most vital organ is their stomach. Truck driving is not for prima donnas. If you can't "rough it" to a reasonable extent, it will be hard for you. If you want to have a full course breakfast every day, good luck. Most of the top drivers get up early, get ready and get on the road because they prepare for that the night before. To spend an hour or more every morning in a diner getting waited on is not the hallmark of a productive truck driver, in my experience. Plus, a $2.00 tip is just wrong unless it amounts to 20% of the tab. These waiters and waitresses are doing a hard job without much compensation. (Sound like truck drivers?)

Plus, a $2.00 tip is just wrong unless it amounts to 20% of the tab. These waiters and waitresses are doing a hard job without much compensation.

I agree that $2.00 is wrong IF the service was great. When somebody becomes a server they understand how they're paid. If I go out to eat and pay $10 for a burger I shouldn't be obligated to pay an additional 5 bucks or whatever for a tip if the server doesnt do anything. Tips are a way to say thank you for a job well done. I never understood why at some buffets they expect to be tipped when they only take away a couple plates. Or buffalo wild wings the server only takes your order. Someone else runs your food and the busboy takes your dishes. Maybe us drivers should start expecting tips from customers of we show up early. I'm not as much of an a-hole as this post probably makes me sound, but you shouldn't receive a tip for simply doing your job. It's meant to say thank you for going above and beyond.

Rob, that's not the whole puzzle picture. Most restaurants are supposed to split up the tip and bus boys are supposed to get a cut. I'm sure there are a lot of abuses with the system. I just feel an obligation to tip 20% even when service was not the best. Of course, on a few rare occasions I've left no tip because the service was THAT bad.

That's why I seldom eat in restaurants, I personally find it too expensive and I like to eat in the truck.