Ya gotcher ears on?

[STEPPENWOLF]

DSXS11,
When you ran expiteded was that mainly JIT freight? Were you able to run legal( hours).Expedited usually don't run heavy loads. I see a lot of straight trucks with big condo cabs on them the last few years.....I miss driving sometimes and that might be a way to go( when I quit the lawn care business) but I am getting older but with the demand for drivers at an all time high...who knows.
Driving in the fall made it all worthwhile. New drivers,go for it,it is a way of life,not just a 9 to 5 job.

Bill

[Pat Kelly]

This is week 2 of truck driving school.
Hahahahahahahahahahaha.
And I thought I knew how to back a trailer (I have a 4'x8' utility trailer I use all the time).
I also drive a 68 F100 with 4 on the floor. I thought this would be great experience for driving a tractor (why does the DMV insist I know how to double-clutch? Do any tractors in use today require double-clutching?).
Today we had our 1st foray onto the open road where we were actually able to kill someone, No one died I'm happy to say (except a sqirrell). I/we have a very patient instructor (who visibly shows his frustration at yet another pair of idiots that have the agility of a ruptured beetle).
I will admit, cruising down back country roads is all I hoped it would be.
I hate double-clutching, but I WILL master it.
Tommorrow is back to the yard and 4 hours of backing-up. (and pre-trip, in-cab, and COLA). Supposed to be about 105 degrees. Can't wait.
I aced everything in the classroom. I already have my endorsements for doubles, tankers, and hazmat (been through 2 DOJ backgrounds this year so this one will be clean too).

[xssiveone]

Do any tractors in use today require double-clutching?

Yes, double-clutching is still the way to go in a large vehicle. No syncro hubs like a car or light truck. There are automatics out there, but usually only for specail applications as they rob horsepower and fuel economy. There are also other trannys with automatic shifters in them. We have 2 of them in our fleet and most drivers hate them. Not bad for driving forward, but backing up is a bear. They won't creep backwards, and by the time you build up enough rpm to move the truck, it moves too fast and you slam into the dock. I personally don't even use the clutch when I shift, only when starting and stopping. To each their own, everyone finds a method that works for them.

Backing is the sign of a true profesional in my opinion. Just about anyone can get behind the wheel and drive down the highway for 8-10(20?) hours, but if you can't get the freight to the dock it just doesn't matter. And once you get the hang of backing up a 53' trailer, you will curse your 4x8 every time you back it up.

[Dsxs11]

Originally posted by STEPPENWOLF
DSXS11,
When you ran expiteded was that mainly JIT freight? Were you able to run legal( hours).Expedited usually don't run heavy loads. I see a lot of straight trucks with big condo cabs on them the last few years.....I miss driving sometimes and that might be a way to go( when I quit the lawn care business) but I am getting older but with the demand for drivers at an all time high...who knows.
Driving in the fall made it all worthwhile. New drivers,go for it,it is a way of life,not just a 9 to 5 job.

Bill

JIT automotive and I ran legal hours I did a lot of Michigan to Ohio runs. There is an outfit in Ohio called Tri Hours they run 24 footers with sleeper cabs and do tier supplier work. If you want to talk more PM me.

[skipt]

Everything posted is SOOO true. I have been driving since 1982.
Since I hate being away from home I went the local route ( no
pun intended). I have worked in the petroleum industry the
whole time although with five different employers. I have however
delivered/loaded in Wa., Or., Ca., Nv. and Az. Almost all my work
now is local and I get to sleep in my own bed every night. Once in
a while I go to Phoenix or Las Vegas. Those are not to bad as it is just one night away from home. Do some checking around there
are local jobs to be found.

[Hammerhead1st]

Originally posted by Pat Kelly
This is week 2 of truck driving school.
Hahahahahahahahahahaha.
And I thought I knew how to back a trailer (I have a 4'x8' utility trailer I use all the time).
I also drive a 68 F100 with 4 on the floor. I thought this would be great experience for driving a tractor (why does the DMV insist I know how to double-clutch? Do any tractors in use today require double-clutching?).
Today we had our 1st foray onto the open road where we were actually able to kill someone, No one died I'm happy to say (except a sqirrell). I/we have a very patient instructor (who visibly shows his frustration at yet another pair of idiots that have the agility of a ruptured beetle).
I will admit, cruising down back country roads is all I hoped it would be.
I hate double-clutching, but I WILL master it.
Tommorrow is back to the yard and 4 hours of backing-up. (and pre-trip, in-cab, and COLA). Supposed to be about 105 degrees. Can't wait.
I aced everything in the classroom. I already have my endorsements for doubles, tankers, and hazmat (been through 2 DOJ backgrounds this year so this one will be clean too).

Drove OTR for 6 years:

Have well over 500,000 miles under my belt.

Have driven Vans,Pneumatic tanks,reefers, flatbeds,goosenecks,and liquid cow crap trailers, as well as walking-floor and live-bottoms.

I've hauled everything you could imagine, but my most memorable load was a full trailer of feminine hygiene napkins and the like from P&G in South Carolina. On the way to Michigan, got stopped at a scale in Ky. The woman who ran the scale came out and asked if I was loaded.I assured her that yes, I had a full trailer.She asked what I was hauling. I answered "Manhole covers". She didnt believe me and asked for my manifest. Gave her the paperwork, she read the load info, looked at me with daggers, threw my papers ON THE GROUND, and stomped away. I picked up my papers and left. I laughed all the way to Michigan.

IF you practice, you can shift without using the clutch. It's all in the timing. While in school, though, do it like they tell you or you won't pass the road test.

I went to school in Indianapolis, big fun driving the streets there!

I've found that being an OTR driver is great, pays well, and gives you the chance to see places you otherwise would not have the chance to go. But, family life suffers, and most carriers don't really care whether you see your kids grow up or not. The key is to put your time in on the road, get 100,000 miles behind you, and then find a local job. With 100,000 safe miles, there's an abundance of local companies that would hire you. After some time OTR, I fell into a spot with my company where I was going from here to NYC and back every other day. Paid great, and I was home every other night till around 9pm the following night. My reasons for coming off of the road were personal and involved the word Divorce. Otherwise I'd still be driving. I now work in an insulator factory and miss the road terribly, but having custody of the kids is my reward for working another 9-5.

I sincerely hope you have a strong bond with your wife, because driving OTR will strain that bond to it's breaking point. I kid you not. If there are any trust issues, they will be magnified 100 times. Not trying to paint a doom and gloom picture for you, just being honest. I drove my heart out on the road, and worked WAYYY beyond the legal limits in order to finish up my work and get home ASAP. Home was my goal every week. If I had to be away from my kids and my home, I was sure as hell going to make money doing it. I didn't sleep, I hardly ever ate, I lived on hot dogs and coffee with my fuel stops. I showered every other night at truck stops, and that was my break. I induced MAJOR caffiene levels to keep going, and turned about 3500 miles per week. TO make money, you need 3,000 miles a week minimum OTR. Otherwise, you're spinning your wheels for nothing.Making enough money to live on the road and that's it. It used to cost me 150.00 a week to live on the road.After fine-tuning my diet, I reduced that to 80.00 per week. Still, 80 per week off the top of your pay is tough when there are bills to pay. I ran two to three logbooks in the truck, and spent a LONG time on the road as a very lonely person. You'll notice truckers talk a lot to everyone and anyone they can. Theres a reason for that.

I wish you the best of luck on the road. I hope it works out great for you and you have great success with it. I hope you make money hand over fist and don't know what to do with it all. I also hope you NEVER have to become a "Super-Trucker".

That's it in a nutshell for me. Hope it helps.

[Pat Kelly]

End of week 3 (almost). 1st week was all classroom. Got my permit and all endorsements (double/triple, tanker, hazmat, airbrakes). This last two weeks have been in the yard and on the road.
Straight-line backing was a breeze from the start. Parallel parking is easy too. 90 degree alley dock had me frustrated untill yesterday. Did it with 1 pull-up 3 times (DMV test allows 5 pull-ups), did it with no pull-ups once.
On the road, double-clutching is getting easier. Still a little grinding but much, much better.
Instructor said that if I had a good day and the tester was lenient I could pass the DMV test right now. Good thing I still have 4 weeks to practice.
I have the pre-trip inspection, in-cab, and COLA memorized and dialed-in. It helps having been a mechanic.
The other student in the truck with me is still having a difficult time. I sort-of feel bad for him but it's his problem, not mine. I have my family to support with this training and I can't let him cut-in to my time.
After all, he has some government program paying for him. I paid out of my own pocket. And, if he can't get the hang of it he shouldn't be doing it.

[STEPPENWOLF]

Pat ,
Sounds great,you should enjoy your time on the road.I miss it at times but at 53,between my truck ,motorcycle,van and train travels I enjoy being at home more. I am so envious of you...just starting out,it is a whole different world out there looking thru the windshield. Reread a few of the posts above...they are dead on. You will be sacraficing lots of family time...but in the end, I never regretted a moment on the road,it gets in your blood.
Glad you are doing well in school.

Bill

[Pat Kelly]

To put a bit of perspective.....
I'm 48 years old. Been married to the same woman for 17 years. Both of us are on our only marriage. I'm 11 years her senior. Have 4 kids 16, 14, 8, and 7. I've been the one taking care of the kids while she's been going to school to get the job making all the money. Police acadamy. She's actually worked for a Sheriffs Dept for 4 years before being asked to quit (a Serpico kind of thing). She's now an EMT working at the hospital I used to work at. She's gotten all her prerequesets for nursing school but can't get in because of their enrollment policies. She's also got her contractors license and occasionally does an odd job as a favor to one of the nurses or doctors at the hospital.
Now it's my turn. She can wipe the noses and butts and help with the homework and make sure thet're off to school on time and gather, sort, wash, dry, fold the laundry. She can do the dished and mow the lawn, and on and on. But I bet she makes the kids do it.

[STEPPENWOLF]

Pat,
Keep us informed as to the trucking travel and adventures.I found that nobody cared if you could drive the truck but the paper work was the most important part of the job.Especially the comic book.
It seems to be a growing trend that older drivers are hitting the road,just a casual observation from what I see while out and about. I haven't been on the road in years but I bet if I said Good Buddy on the cb I would be looking for trouble:-)Pickle parks,chicken coops and pregant roller skates.......those were the days,got a picture taker at :=) Good luck PAT.Glad you are going to do what has probably been in the back of your mind for years.
I have been thinking about the road in a few years from now in the expedited freight end,not for the money so much but just being here today and there tomorrow type of thinking.

[STEPPENWOLF]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSHtKjdWzbw Pat,thought you might like this:-)

[Pat Kelly]

I took my driving test today at DMV and passed. 3 students were scheduled at the same time and we all got to the backing-up skills site at the same time. I went last and we were running a bit late so he cut my drive test in half.
Actually him doing that scared me. During the driving test we drive past the DMV office and he had me stop instead of continuing along the course. I was sure I had failed. But I passed.
My 1st stop after getting my license was Dot Foods who I hope to go to work for. If all works out I'll be doing a 3-day ride along next Wed. (graduation is Mon). Hopefull I'll be employed and driving by the following Monday.
Watch out for that truck in your mirrors, it might just be me.

[olebiker]

Congrats I hope turns out to be all you wished for.

[skipt]

passed the test

Good job and Good luck with the ride-a-long.

Skip

[Hammerhead1st]

Some items to pick up...

Pat,

Get yourself a nice comfy pillow. The best you can find. You'll appreciate it later. Get one you can rest against the window as you ride. Most guys don't like splitting their bunk with a rider. I never did. If I didn't have twin upper and lower, the rider slept across the seats. Which brings me to my next item for your list:

A piece of plywood, 2 1/2 feet long by a foot wide. Place that between the seats like a bridge and place your arse on it. You'll be able to stretch out and sleep well enough to actually get rest. Use that pillow on the window.

a GOOD shave kit that you can carry anywhere. Those times when you need to take a trucker bath in the rest room sink will prove more bearable with a good kit.

A blanket you can wrap up with in the passenger seat. A lot of drivers use the A/C year round, or leave the window open to stay alert. It gets COLD in that jump seat...believe it.

a LARGE travel mug.

A logbook holder. You'll appreciate that when your pages dont get mauled.

A phone with a good network provider. Tracphones are convenient, but they waste money. a LOT of it.

WIth all that, get a good bag and you're ready to roll!

I wish you luck on the highways. Keep it pointed the right way and have a heavy foot.