Profile For Matt S.

Hang in there Matt. Vehicles break down, it's what they do unfortunately. With the exception of the APU, I'd almost bet your interior lighting issue is something relatively simple. You might want to check the fuse box if you get a chance, as the interior lights normally all run on the same circuit.

Thanks, Robert. Road Assist had me walk through the fuses and nothing was out of the ordinary. They're now convinced that there is an electrical short somewhere that is draining the batteries rapidly. The reason the interior lights quit working was actually due to a low voltage disconnect. Prior to rolling out of Olathe, KS on Friday, all of the truck's batteries were replaced, thinking that the old batteries had just failed due to age. Mostly, I'm grateful to be running solo when no other company would give me the chance. My patience did wear a bit thin but I had to remind myself that these situations are beyond anyone's control.

Congrats on surviving your first day Matt!

What's interesting about this story is that it shows you how challenging an ordinary day is in the life of a trucker. It's a long series of obstacles to overcome and situations you simply have to make the best of. Nothing ever seems quite perfect out there. Your truck will always need a thing or two worked on, the weather & traffic never cooperate for long, the schedules are tight, you're always missing your home & friends, and a million other things. The days are very, very long and most of the time you'll be so exhausted you'll hardly remember going to bed.

Overcoming the challenges and keeping that freight moving safely and efficiently is what makes trucking so rewarding. No two days are ever alike and trucking is almost never easy. You've gotta stay on your toes and keep working hard to get the job done out there. That's what it's all about.

Good luck on day two!

Thank You Brett. I am ever grateful for the support that this website provides.

Well day two has started out very interesting so far. Unfortunately, I have met with partial cab electrical failure. My inverter and APU have also failed completely. At least the tractor diesel starts and on board gauges work and all exterior lights. My DM, Road Assist, and the Load Planners have decided that I'm broke down so another driver just got a sweet 1000 mile run. I'm still at this truck stop at Emporia, KS awaiting further instructions.

On the flip side, this job is teaching me so much about life. One concept that I always struggle with is not being able to accept the things that I cannot change. I have always been something of a control freak. With a smile on my face, I am finally learning to just not need to control the situation. I am also learning to deal with setbacks with patience and understanding. This is something I have never really been able to do previously. Based on what I have learned alone, I think everybody should spend time as a truck driver once in their lives. This experience is helping me to grow as a person.

Day one as a rookie company driver for Trans Am trucking has come to a close. This day has been one of many ups and downs. The day began with a broken trailer assigned to me. I got coupled to the trailer only to find out that I was unable to raise the landing gear and this was in Kansas heat. So okay, I shrugged my shoulders and sent a message requesting my new trailer and another message to break down to have it repaired. The trucking gods were with me because I only had to drive a short 89 miles today to drop off my empty trailer to be loaded. I successfully made it to the shipper and slid my tandems back like a good boy only to be unable to uncouple the trailer once I dropped it off in the designated space for empty trailers. A Good Samaritan from Tyson Foods came over to give me a few suggestions and we got it on hitched. Then I went ahead and bobtailed to the nearest Flying J truck stop and shut down for the day. After a nap, I discovered that none of my bunk lights are operational even though when I checked the truck out yesterday, all of the lights worked. In light of this, I sent another breakdown message and I learned that I won't be able to get the lights repaired until Monday. Despite these relatively little things, I absolutely love driving down Kansas 35 and taking in the scenery and beautiful blue skies. I am thanking my lucky stars for the friends that I've made in school and at other companies who help to keep me sane and keep my reactions measured. My advice to any new driver is to make use of your cell phone keep in contact with your friends. Oh and I forgot to mention that I left the yard without my king pin lock. So it looks like I will have to purchase one from a truck stop. It is not sanctioned by transam but I have to adapt and overcome.

I'm new to the site, and new to the trucking industry. I got my CDL last month, and am headed to Allentown to orientation for Werner next week. Can anyone out there fill me in on what to expect? I had a DOT physical in school. Will I take another one there? What was your experience while in orientation? How are the facilities? How are the driver trainers?

Can you let us know how it goes? I'm considering Werner once I get my license.

One of my instructors at Smith & Solomon used to run for Werner and he had a great experience.

Took my NJ test today, I was so nervous. I passed. My biggest fear was the 90 at Miller, but in dropped in so sweetly. No pulls ups first try. I stalled but recovered it. I need to be in Indiana on Monday for orientation at Schnedier on Tuesday. I hope I have no problems with medical.

Congratulations man! You got your license to learn.

The only thing I am not looking forward to is the 28hr Greyhound ride.

Things I'm concerned about are: The TNT..Living in close quarters with another bloke for, how many weeks?

The maneuverability test. Parallel parking (blindside), offset parking, and 90 degree docking.

Overall, I think everything will be fine.

Very excited! This may sound corny, but the thing I can't wait for the most, is to get my truck, and my first CB radio! Ha!

I'm 43yrs old, and I've wanted one of the damn things since Smokey and the Bandit. I understand now, the airwaves are filled with hate and filth, but that seems to be all forms of mass communication these days, ie. the internet, online gaming etc.

I've done a ton of research, and am ready to pass the CDL permit, and necessary endorsements.

Also, Daniel B's one month adventure, was very addicting, and I thank you. The snowy mountain driving reminded me of my home town of Cleveland. No mountains, but plenty of change in elevation with blizzard conditions. I know what sliding and tires braking away feels, like, and do not look forward to that in an eighteen wheeler.

Anyway, I'm so excited, and friends and family can't relate, so thanks for this forum as well.

Peace!

The grey dawg isn't much fun but at least it's a lot more comfortable than it used to be. The Wi-Fi works great. Wishing you all of the best.

Finally jumped, with no cord. On the Grey dog July 11th, start on the 13th. Here we go!

Wishing you the best man!

Sometimes that works but in poorly lit or even dark areas, you may need some idea of distance to your turn.

This is something i worry about too. I havent even gotten hired anywhere yet but i worry about what its going to be like when i start solo. I havent really driven anywhere outside the northeast so i figure ill be fine but ive heard too many stories about Qualcomm being wrong and gps being wrong where i wonder how im ever gonna figure out where im going after i leave the interstate.

I did worry about this too. I'm thanking the trucking gods that this actually happened during time with my second trainer. We got turned around by a poorly marked road closed sign in rural Ohio and found ourselves lost and on roads not designed to accommodate an 18 wheeler. The road closed sign was on the shoulder and not even in a place that impeded traffic. I over thought this one.

The Qualcomm lost both satellite and 3G cell signals. We were flying blind and trainer was nervous. I actually remained calm and rational. I knew the general direction we wanted to go was west. All I had to do was be mindful of a low bridge or bridge with a 3-5 ton weight limit. At one point we got down a road so narrow it was impossible to turn around and a 3 ton bridge came up. Turning around risked a rollover and crossing risked a collapsed bridge. The other option was to drive in reverse nearly ten miles and more serious risk. Clearly a catch 22. So I put my 4 ways on and paced out the length of the bridge. Turns out that the bridge was a little over the length of a pickup truck and 10 ft wide. Safest course of action .... cross the bridge. So at least the bridge would get a rest break between the steers, drives, and trailer tandems.

Again, luck was on our side because the bridge held fast! Lesson learned. It's best to treat a road closed sign, even one well off to the side and not even impeding as the gospel truth. Other truckers fell for this too so when we were finally back on main roads, we got on the CB and advised others.