After being away from home for about 10 weeks, I finally got home. But it didn't go as planned! Part of the reason I've been gone so long is my own doing. If I really wanted to get home, all I would have had to do is put a request in. But I've been trying to stay out as long as possible during my training so I can get it done faster. After being gone for so long, my trainer sort of forced me to get back home and put in a request for me. We didn't hear anything from our dispatcher about it, but assumed he was working on it. Finally, we got a load that brought me within about 20 miles from my house. However, we received no message about me taking my home time. So, I called my dispatcher to find out what his plan was. Of course, when I called, he was out of the office and I had to call back the next day. This meant that I would find out the day of our delivery 20 miles from my house if I'd be going home. Not much for advance notice! Turns out, I was never evenentered into the system for home time, but he told me to take the opportunity anyway.
I'll tell ya, as much as I wanted to continue and get some more miles under my belt, as soon as I knew I'd be getting home I got real excited. I almost forgot how much I missed everyone, my local town, a hot shower at home, driving my little sportscar, and just being in a familiar area. Ten weeks is a long time to be away from home, and it really makes me appreciate people like our armed forces who are away for a year or more at a time. It must be real hard.
After I got home and visited with my parents for a little while, I decided to take a trip to see a friend of mine. This meant I'd have to drive a 4 wheeler for the first time since I got on a big truck 10 weeks ago. Holy smokes!!! That took some getting used to!! It was very strange to get in my car and be so low to the ground. And since I have a little sports car,my car does 0 - 60mph in just under 6 seconds. It was quite a feeling to mash the accelerator and go that fast! But alas, I can't have quite as much fun anymore. A speeding ticket will probably cost me my job right now, plus traffic tickets are double for CDL holders. But it was still fun to drive my car.
As bad as it might sound, I didn't do much on my home time. I didn't attend a sporting event, I didn't go out to the clubs (although I did have a beer or ten), I didn't have a party, nothing like that. I sat around with my friends and family and did pretty much nothing.....and it felt great. I watched some sports (more like watched the Blackhawks and Cubs lose!), I visited with my sister, my nieces, my brother, my parents, and my good friends. It was nice to just roam around and catch up with everyone and have very few responsibilities to take care of. I slept in, took extra long showers, enjoyed sitting on a couch again, watched some movies on the big screen, and got re-energized. It was a very nice time. My favorite part was just talking with everyone. It's one thing to talk with your loved ones on the phone, but it's another to be with them, face to face.
With that said, I can't express how ready I am to get back out on the open road. While I took my home time, my trainer took some solo runs. Unfortunately, he got held up at the boarder after making a pickup in Canada. This delayed him a few days, so it's been nearly a week now since I took my home time. I love being able to visit with my friends and family, but I also am starting to get the itch to get back on that truck. I'm anxious to finish up my training and get my own truck. I still probably have about 6 weeks left before I get my own truck, but it should go pretty fast. I've found that the time flies out on the road. In any case, it was great to get home and enjoy the luxuries and time with people I know from home, but I'm definitely ready to get back out there. Hopefully tomorrow night I'll get back on the truck, then be dispatched out the next morning. Home stretch for training. The next time I get home, it'll probably be to load up my very own truck once I'm out solo. Now there's a scary thought!!
Until next time, drive safely.
TruckerMike
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
by Rick Huffman
On the road in training driving flatbed was very rough the first couple weeks. My fingers were numb, I ached all over, and the mountains were intimidating
by Philosopher Paul
You meet a lot of crazy characters in trucking, and my finishing trainer is off the charts. This guys seems more like someone you'd find in a movie.
by Philosopher Paul
I'm finishing up CDL training with a trainer who screams in tirades and I've had to try to deal with it. But finally, the showdown between us occurred.
by JakeCat22
My first few days of my trucking career are off to a great start and I'm out on the road with my trainer. Everything is so new, everything is a first.
by JakeCat22
I've been on the road with my trainer and there's been a lot of ups and downs. We're learning a ton everyday, but it's not easy for me or my family.
by JakeCat22
After two weeks with my trainer, I went home for three days to relax and get ready for my company road test. If I pass, I get my own truck and run solo
by TruckerMike
Being a safe truck driver is never easy. Predicting what might happen next on the highway takes years to learn and is very hard to teach a new driver.
by TruckerMike
Being a CDL instructor is a very unique experience. I was amazed at how much I learned myself. Here are some of the highlights I picked up along the way.
by BlueHillsTrucker
Nothing could be more exciting than climbing behind the wheel of a rig for your first run ever as a professional driver! Here's how it went for me.
by Old School
As a rookie truck driver you're going to face enormous challenges and be tested continuously. I learned a great lesson about how tough CDL training can be.
Click Anywhere To Close
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TruckingTruth was founded by Brett Aquila (that's me!), a 15 year truck driving veteran, in January 2007. After 15 years on the road I wanted to help people understand the trucking industry and everything that came with the career and lifestyle of an over the road trucker. We'll help you make the right choices and prepare for a great start to your trucking career.
Becoming A Truck Driver is a dream we've all pondered at some point in our lives. We've all wondered if the adventure and challenges of life on the open road would suit us better than the ordinary day to day lives we've always known. At TruckingTruth we'll help you decide if trucking is right for you and help you get your career off to a great start.
TT On Facebook