Profile For Sheffield Mick

Thanks Big Scott.

Hi old school, I’ve not been on truckingtruth for some time. I used to work for Swift for about four years pulling dry van I’m now a Flatbedder at Gypsum Express......I noticed in your photo of you folding your tarps you have a Gypsum truck in the back ground. Is that who you used to work for? I’ve been a flatbed driver for nearly a year now and I love it 😎. I’ve always admired your posts and your love of trucking

Hi Paul....I'm glad you got something out of this old message that I posted three years ago. My update is that I'm still at Swift....three years later. I now run mainly Canada...because of my location to the border. I get home most weekends....and sometimes during the week. I just got a new truck two weeks ago.

I now know everybody in the office and they know me. I can't say that I haven't thought about quitting a time or too in the past three years....but I believe that every truck driver goes through that. Now that winter is nearly out of the way, I can look forward to the summer. I did three thousand miles last week which is not every week I have to admit, but it helps when I can run on Canada time (Legally) which is 13 hours.

I wish you the best of luck at Swift.....the good thing is that there are different divisions within Swift that you can move too.....that's if you don't get on with your Driver Leader or what ever. Just sayin.....be safe and take care.

Mick

Hi Robert, I'm also from the UK. I've been truck driving (OTR) over here in America/Canada for three years. I've lived in the USA for over five years now. This was the deal for me......You do need a sponsor to get your green card (my sponsor was my American wife whom I met in the UK). I also had to take a normal car test before I could drive a car legally over here, even though I held a European Union license for over thirty years. I live in Michigan.......it could well be different in other states. I also needed to drive a full year before they would let me go and take my CDL. All of which was well worth it. I wish you luck.

Mick

Hi Paul, I've not written on here for a while....but I know all about panic attacks as I used to get them allot. I was in business to business sales for 30 years before I started truck driving. I found that I I couldn't catch a flight one time, as my panic went into overdrive. For me I did have to seek out professional help, but I my main save was using relaxation tapes to help me unwind. The good news is that I don't get them anymore.......trucking probably did the opposite for me.......it help settle my nerves and anxiety. I love being alone and yes I can get lonely, but I know this will pass. We are all different and I hope that you can find what is best for you to get you through it. Take care my friend.

Mick

All of the above......spanners, screwdrivers, pliers, lump hammer.....for hitting the tandem brakes when there frozen. And WD40 for spraying the same to loosen them off.....if needed. Spare lamps for trailer and tractor......and fuses.

Hope it helps.....take care,

Mick

Hi Rolling Thunder...........I like your message and can relate to your truck changes. I'm the same as you with two years driving,........started out with a very beat up Volvo (they don't seem to trust rookies with new trucks). Like you, somebody hit me in a truck stop.....but bless the guy he owned up to it. My own moves over the two years follow a similar pattern to yours: started out with the Volvo then into a Freightliner then into a KenWorth T660. I liked the T660 the best of all and didn't want to turn it in......that was my truck, like I owned it. I also very rarely turn jobs down......I run as best I can and try and be as polite as possible to one and all. With good attitude and work ethic I've now been put into a 2016 KW T680 automatic. I guess if the company are willing to put me into a new truck from the crappy falling apart Volvo that I started with......then I must be doing something right. I'll keep rolling and see where the road takes me. Take care my friend,

Mick

I just got my new truck, its a 2016......T680 Kenworth.....and its an automatic. Yes the fuel consumption is allot better........but truth be known, I prefer my old stick shift. I'm getting used to backing it in to docks and under trailers now and also the slow start even when bobtailing......but for me it takes some of the fun out of driving....just saying.

Mick

Good stuff Anchorman.....I just had an inspection done.......and more by luck than judgement I actually passed.

Mick

I prefer to shower straight after my driving shift........that way If I do get up too late I can just drive and not risk missing out on my shower.

Mike