Profile For WhiskeyTango

Research a health and wellness program called rolling strong. Its designed by a truck driver.

I've actually seen that before haha. I'll have to look at it again. I've just always been more of a fan of low rep low volume training (strength) as opposed to doin 25-50 reps with light weight (wears out joints more easily) but seein as it'll be just about the only physical activity I'll get a day I'm guessing I should be just fine and dandy lol. (Getting in and out of the cab doesn't count ) At least not till I'm a few years older lol.

Funny how this whole "sub topic"got started off me bein sarcastic lol I did think about it one time but I figured bringing in 150-300lbs of weights would screw up how much weight I could get in my trailer or something.

Actually I'd like to bring some weights with me as well to stay fit.

Instead of weights, maybe try a set of these Bodylastics Resistance Bands . They'll weigh a helluva lot less and my set fits into a small case in a duffle bag under my clothes. Very lightweight and effective.

Not to mention.. If something goes wrong while your driving the last thing you want is a pair of 25-50 pound dumbbells flying around the cab. The Resistance bands are the way to go. They can provide you with good strength training.. grab yourself a little yoga mat or something so you can do pushups or sit-ups. You can get a lot of strength training without weights. Ive seen flatbed guys do pull ups on the side of their trailer.

Its hard. But it can be done.

Haha yeah I agree. Although I have seen a set of adjustable dumbbells and jn sure there's a way to secure them SOMEWHERE. The bands have always seemed kind of silly to me, no offense. I haven't tried them besides at a chiropractor one time...and the whole way to create hypertrophy Is by RESISTANCE so I suppose if I can get heavy/thick enough bands or just go with a high rep/high set routine I'll at least get SOME sort of pump goin on lol.

If you drive flatbed, the bungees that are used to secure tarps work extremely well as resistance bands. Just hook them to the straps securing your seat belts to the floor and hook the other ends around a thick dowel or sawn off broom handle and you can work your arms right there in the cab. They can be picked up for like $3 I think at most truck stops

I am imagining some horrible snapping going on here.

Lol as long as you use newer ones and not the cracked, worn out ones you should be fine. I stretch those things much tighter when securing tarps and haven't had one snap on me yet, not while applying them, during driving, or when removing.

Yeah I'm sure those things have a certain tensile strength rating on them like bungee cords or cordage used for rappelling. But knowing myself I'll end up researching the best kind of resistance bands to get and a whole program lol. I am actually very knowledgeable about strength training and bodybuilding. But have been on a 6 month hiatus, don't see 14hr workdays helpin me get back Into it but hey who knows lol

1250 points would be $12.50. Below is my Loves fuel card according to the Loves App. 17734 points would be $177.34 of free money I can spend on stuff in the store. It does not take long to get points built up

Ohh I see, well it's not as much as I though it would be but still, good thing to keep in mind.

So 2 days ago I learned a company I would've chose over the one I'm going to JUST opened a CDL school, class starts Monday lol. They pay percentage, black and chrome Petes (ringin a bell?) I originally had no desire for dry van or reefer but eventually got used to the idea. I called the other company a few months ago thinking they had a CDL school but I was wrong. So I continued my search and arrived at Knight, I know I should he greatful I got a job period but still...how ironic they call me 3 days before I start orientation lol.

The Koolatron? I thought you wanted a big cool. I like the 40 quart cooler that Coleman makes. Same size as a cooler you would have at home for beer.

It's like 1 point for every dollar of fuel you buy. I have well over $700 worth of points on 3 cards.

The p85 is 52 quarts I believe. :) As far as points go....that seems like a LOT. Build them up 100x faster than my speedy points haha. How many gallons does tractor trailer use over 2500miles?

I figure 6mpg on aversge, so 416 gallons a week, idk what diesel normally runs so ill say 3/gallon x 416 gallons (weekly)=$1,250.00/1250points a week :) wow that's awesome.

How many points does something work about 150$ run ya?

I watched a lot of videos on using the road pro lunch box cooker, You can cook all kinds of stuff in them. Make sure you get the foil liner from walmart. Also 12v TV's are pricey, but you will be getting reward points from truck stops. So use them to help you buy things like that. Good Luck.

Thank you Sir. Or Mam. Lol. I've got my list all put together for now, going to get 12v road pro stove, slow cooker and maybe the frying pan unless I find the coleman top end burner more useful...GPS (rand) atlas of course, 12v cooler (Koolatron p85) 19"samsung tv, laptop, top end burner by coleman maybe, Bluetooth, various office supplies that I dot have at home, stuff to clean truck and keep it clean and organized, and a laptop. I'm getting a modified sine wave 400 or 500 watt inverter that plugs into a cigarette lighter socket to power/charge the laptop and to power the tv (it's 50$ cheaper better speakers, 1080p and a brand I've actually heard of before haha. This won't be a few months from now and that's not the specific order in any way. Probably just get that stove, GPS and cooler to start, gps to save time, cooler and stove to save money $$&. I just hope whatever trainer I end up with doesn't plan on eating out daily. Oh well I still gotta get through CDL school first anyways haha!

The points for gas stations...how quickly can one accumulate those? I may get the Bluetooth and some miscellaneous cooking things with them.

I'm so excited to get started in this industry. I have no idea how I'm going to react to 14hr work days...even though I won't be doing hard, repetitive physical labor (dry van) I'll still be awake and as alert as possible while on the road. Oh well, i get so bored at home watching the same tv shows and movies on Netflix and arguing with the wife I may as well be at work as long as possible lol.

Sorry for the rant I don't get out much these days haha.

Just remember to pack very light. One bag. You will be in a trainers truck. Most of the storage on the truck will taken up with their stuff.

I can make that work. Well I appreciate all the advice you and everybody else has given me. I'll be back if I have anymore questions.

Is a good place to start if you do not have your cdl/permit yet

High Road Training Program

Thanks man, I actually already passed the written exam for my permit. The program I'm going into is all hands on, 1 week of backing/learning to shift, go OTR for 1 week with an instructor, 1 week city driving with an instructor, then go home to take the driving exam, go OTR 4-6 weeks with a trainer then go solo.

I just wanted to know if there's anything specific I should spend my time studying before Ieave because they say it's all hands on once I finish orientation. I asked my recruiter the same question, she just sent me a packing list lol.

I use the Rand McNally 730. Love it. I have tried the Garmin models but none have the functionality of the Rand McNally that I have become accustomed to. I use it daily.

Awesome! Added it to my list, BTW, these 12v tv's seem pretty pricey compared to regular 110 tv's. Maybe it's just the website I'm using..Anyways, I'm gonna start studying more for the pre-trip and reviewing what I studied for my permit. Just tryin to put my list together while I got all this "free time" (got 3 days till orientation!) I'm just glad I'm finally out of factories and can start making some real money. I was astounded when I learned you can go to a CDL school and come out making triple what I can get at factories/warehouses!

Do you have any advice on what I should be studying/learning these 3 days or should I just enjoy my time off

Thank you guyjax for the advice. I realize I can't get everything at once and I won't even be able to buy anything until about 2 months after training...I'm not familiar with the truck driver lifestyle which is why I'm asking these questions, rather excited to get started which is why I'm doin all this research.

I suppose my best bet would be to just get a cooler first and prepare meals on my days off for the week or get simple things to put together like sandwiches yogurt and chips. Tv can wait because I'm sure I'll burn up a lot of my clock in first few months backing and planning out my trips etc and most likely be ready for the day to end once my 14hrs are up.

How often do you guys use GPS, I hear a lot about rand McNally trucking gps, I have no idea what the difference is between the different models (besides price) and if it's worth it or not to get the newest model. Or should I spend my first few months usin the atlas..hmm. Oh, and is a laptop a necessary tool to invest into for this career or should I do everything on paper and on atlas as far as trip planing and looking for rest stops/truck stops goes.