Profile For The Original Hairyman

Trainer #4 was also a diabetic and when I told him that I went through with #3, he got pretty upset. He also wasn't happy with the way that #2 had me driving and was familiar with trainer #1 by reputation. SO.....in three weeks I was back to having to unlearn and relearn how to drive, but it worked out and I passed my driving test in Wilmer, TX with flying colors. I was (finally!) given my own truck and dispatched back through Lenoir City to get some home time. I was assigned a 2014 Freightliner Cascadia single bunk with 230k on it with the DD13 engine (not so great pull). I'm settling in and plan to get a power inverter and fridge installed on my next time home. My asset manager is very good and does what she can to help me. Unfortunately, due to the holiday schedule and how the 25th was a Friday, I am sitting all weekend waiting to deliver a load in Wilmington, NC on Monday morning.

Any updates???

Sorry that I haven't updated the thread in so long, but the last couple months since Lincoln have been hectic and at times disappointing. Long story even longer, I failed my road test in Lincoln and had to go back out with a trainer. I fully admit that there were things that I failed to do correctly and the blame for failing the road test is mine. However, there were some equipment issues and, to put it bluntly, as much as I enjoyed my time with the 2nd trainer, he did me no favors when it came to passing that road test.

So, I went through the 2nd orientation and was scheduled for the DDC (Defensive Driving Class) on Thursday. Due to the extra week of training and other delays of several days, I needed to refill some prescriptions for my diabetes meds. Since getting on the company insurance October 1st, I had been going 12 rounds between insurance, my doctor and Walmart pharmacies trying to get all the documentation and approvals to get coverage for my meds. Paying out of pocket for these meds is between $5-$12 per pill which was getting quite costly.

I was at the Walmart pharmacy in North Lincoln trying to get the last piece of documentation needed to fax to insurance when I got a call from Driver Development in Lincoln telling me that my new trainer was trying to get ahold of me because he was at the terminal under load and needed me back there ASAP so we could go. I called the new trainer and explained the situation and he told me not to worry that we would be able to take care of that once underway. I rushed back to the hotel to pack up and make arrangements to return the car I had rented so I could take care of things while in Lincoln. Unfortunately, it was now rush hour and nothing went as planned due to the associated delays. The whole time, the trainer is blowing up my phone complaining that he has to get moving and suggesting that I will have to get a new trainer because he just can't wait any longer.

In retrospect, I should have just let that happen, but I did everything I could to get on that trainer truck because I wanted to get the training period done so I could retest and get some home time. The new trainer drove the rest of the first night and got us into Wyoming to park. When I asked him what time he wanted to get started the next morning so I could set my alarm, he replied "whatever time I wake up to **** for the first time...I usually only sleep about five hours. I'm going to get up first and then as soon as I step out to ****, you get up and get dressed. I'll go into the truck stop and get some coffee. You start the pre-trip and then you'll be driving first. After you drive for about eight hours, I'll drive and finish us up." I could never really fall into a deep sleep because I have no idea when I'm going to have to wakeup. It might be 5 hours or it might be 6 from the time we park and then he wanted to be on the road 20 minutes after he woke up, including a 15 minute pre-trip.

He also didn't allow any kind of sit-down meal except at the very end of the day. Two days in, I ran out of my main diabetes medication and had two days left on the others, all of which I made him very aware of. I asked about getting by a pharmacy and he told me that he had been a diabetic for 19 years and I should be able to go at least 7 days off meds before it would effect me. While that may work for him, but my body didn't react very well to not having meds in addition to barely sleeping and eating. I got "white line fever" a few times driving during the day and pretty much passed out whenever I got into the passenger seat. I explained to him several times that I was very tired and he chastised me for taking a nap when I was riding.

Basically, we were driving super-solo where the truck is only shut down for six hours out of the day and while I was in the passenger seat, he had me logged in the sleeper while he drove but expected me awake and alert sitting up front. Five days in, after being off my main meds for three days, I was driving early in the morning up in Oregon and had a bout of double vision for around 10 seconds about 3 times. I explained to him what was going on and why I felt it was happening (no meds) and after the third time (over about a 15 minute span), I felt alright again and had no more issues. Over thirty minutes later (after the last incident) he had me pull over and wouldn't let me drive anymore and called the training department director and got me put off the truck the next day in Bozeman, MT.

I rented a car to get home and spent over 3 hours at the Walmart pharmacy in Bozeman getting all my meds straightened out and refilled. I then drove 1900 miles home in 30 hours without incident. I was put on medical leave until I could produce return to work clearances from my primary doctor and eye doctor. So, I was at home out of work for four weeks before I could get all the clearances sent back. The trainer had also told the company that he thought I had sleep apnea because of my falling asleep while riding passenger. They had said that they would route me to a terminal for a sleep study once I got back to work. In discussing the issue with my doctor, he also wanted me to undergo a sleep study and said I might be a candidate for surgery since my epiglottis was fairly large. I underwent a new DOT physical and was cleared to return to work with trainer #4.

If you roll up to a truck stop and see that they have on-duty cops on hand, you might not want to stay there. If they have a sign on the building indicating they have a police sub-station there.....don't......stop.....for......anything! I will echo the Memphis and West Memphis warnings and add the truck stops in Gary, Indiana to the list.......very, very bad. If you don't feel comfortable staying somewhere, then maybe there is a good reason. Bottom line is trust your gut.

Popcorn! Get your hot, fresh popcorn here!!

Well, I am on my way to Lincoln for final orientation. I have my driving test Monday and then the two days in orientation. Finally get to find out Wednesday where I have to pick up my truck. I've heard the Holiday Inn for Lincoln is pretty nice. Where I stayed in Lenoir City for initial orientation was......less so....lol. After 15+ years in the hotel business I am both picky and forgiving. As long as the room is clean, comfortable and bug-free I'm good. Don't care about a pool, bar, restaurant or many other amenities.

There were many things I was not taught at my CDL school but how to crank landing gear down and leave a space was one thing I was taught that apparently many others are not.

I was also taught this at the community college I attended. I agree it should be something that everyone is taught.

Just a helpful tip for anyone watching...it is always best practice to G.O.A.L just as your trailer touches the 5th wheel on the tractor. You want to make sure that the trailer is at the proper height to connect to the fifth wheel. Doing this will prevent the 5th wheel from jumping the king pin.

Yeah you can bet I G.O.A.L. every time now.....lol

Well there will be a slight delay in getting to my orientation due to being sent to Oregon by weekend dispatch and no freight going east out of here. Currently under load and going back to California around LA. Hopefully they should be able to send us east from there but still unsure as to where exactly. I would prefer Lincoln over Wilmer but will take what we can get that makes it happen. Very small chance that it could be New Kingstown or Lenoir City but still a chance. Will be glad to get wherever, get my truck and get dispatched for home time. Hard to schedule any appointments when you don't have a good idea when you have a spot...

So is it simple to say that I am not eligible to get my CDL even tho my dui misdemeanors were spaced out (96,98,04,08) and the last one was over seven years ago.

You may be able to get a CDL but the more important question is if any company will hire you with 4 DUIs. The last one being 7 years ago is a good thing but having 4 of them even spaced out will make it very difficult for a company to hire you due to their insurance. Any other driving violations in the past 7 years?

Hopefully they were empty trailers!

Most were empty but one was loaded and was cranked down far enough to still be 6+ inches too high. There were many things I was not taught at my CDL school but how to crank landing gear down and leave a space was one thing I was taught that apparently many others are not.

Well that's not too bad of an outcome. Everyone makes mistakes. The key in trucking is to make sure you never make any big ones. This was obviously a small one and hopefully it will help keep you sharp. Make sure you cover the small details that make all the difference in any procedure.

It definitely was a valuable lesson for me. Since then I've run across a number of other trailers that other drivers have left with the landing gear cranked down too much including one that someone cranked all the way down.