Hey, folks. How's everyone? I appreciate your visit to my blog.
We've finally been making some progress with the trucks. Yesterday, was a cool day. Most of my day was rather confusing. It seems this school is not really the best at organization, nor at instruction, but, it's getting better. After lunch, one of the instructors loaded a few of us into the Kenworth and gave us about 30 minutes of drive time out in the sticks. The first attempt at driving one of these rigs will give you a whole new respect for truck drivers! I didn't do too bad, but, it wasn't real smooth, either. I got along alright, I think.
Later in the afternoon, I was able to talk with some folks in Dallas, about the company, and what to expect. Asked a few questions, etc. Looks like I'm expected t head out 12/29, to Dallas, and meet with a trainer, there. 5 weeks of on the road training with him and start earning a few bucks, and another 3 weeks on the road with a fellow rookie and I'll pick up my own rig, near the beginning of March. My son, Dan's birthday! We'll see how things go.
Today, we worked on pre-trip inspection and drove, some. Mainly just some skills driving, in the lot. I need to practice my pre-trip inspection, since that will be my next test at DMV, soon. I took the time to rewrite a more accurate checklist than what the school provided for us. It has helped a bunch. I just need to perform the inspection several times to become familiar with just what to say, and what not to say. They make it sound like the DMV is quite pickey about how you word things and all. I hope it's not too bad.
Had a chance to get to know some of the guys, there, today. Had a few discussions about the Lord. I can see most folks are actually pretty unfamiliar with what the Gospel, really is. It seems they have heard lots about religeous things, but, not much about the Lord!
I have some pictures, but, not sure how to load them, here. I'm working on it.
Well, enough, for now. I'll be back, Lord willing!
Making Progress
Posted on Wed, Dec 13 2006 @ 8:03 PM [PST]
[Comments] [Send Article] [Improper]Category Posted: General
Comments
Just take things one day at a time. Your other post you mentioned the fuel surcharge. Don't even worry about that for at least 2 years. If you get into a lease or buy a truck before that is nuts. To save time just take all your money and your credit rating and pile it up and put a match to it. Alot less headaches that way. My best advise is to join OOIDA and talk to the many different departments there before making any decision. They have experts in all aspects of trucking. It's well worth the $45/yr to join. My wife and I are members and we're just company drivers with no intention of buying a truck.
Comment By:
Roadhzrd on Thu, Dec 14 2006 @ 4:24 PM [PST]
Comment By:
Roadhzrd on Thu, Dec 14 2006 @ 4:24 PM [PST]
God my sis is an owner-operator and when she told me she was getting into the biz I desperately tried to talk her out of it. Why?...Because she was new to the biz and had not a clue how much BS owner operators go through. I hate these big mouths in our biz saying things like "I made such and such a load" What they don't tell you is how much fuel, insurance, truck payments, permits, licenses, and other costs come into play before you even get your cut. So your slice of the pie is a mere sliver after alls said and done. If you want to be an o/o please wait a few years at least and learn the biz before jumping into anything. I've met so many drivers who say "I used to own a truck before I went bankrupt" VM-out!
Comment By:
VM on Fri, Dec 15 2006 @ 12:16 AM [PST]
Comment By:
VM on Fri, Dec 15 2006 @ 12:16 AM [PST]
Comment By:
VM on Thu, Dec 14 2006 @ 6:27 AM [PST]