Profile For DMF

I have very little to offer in the form of advice, but as a new driver, I can tell you I share your feelings regarding backing. So, you are not alone. I am now in my 8th month and have found that if I can get my setup correct I’m golden. One exception - truck stop back into single slot where I need to hug the truck on drivers side and basically create an L with truck/trailer - just has not “sunk in” yet. And offers the greatest risk of hitting another truck! So, I pass on that whenever I can. Only other thing I try to make sure I have is nose room. Why they park empties in front of docks??? But they do. ... I agree with all the comments regarding “take your time, ask for help if available, GOAL, etc” Honestly, I read those early on, did little to quell sweat flops in the moment, but trust me, with time your emotions will level out. Lastly, I readily help another driver, just another set of eyes, I offer no advise at this point, just pay-it-forward from those that have helped me.

Gentlemen, thank you. It appears I will need to pull from my youth; 8-10hrs in a field was common. Wild Bill, I love your “keep the left door closed” I will carry that thought with me. I am older, so holding my water is a bit different now. I’ll figure it out.

I did read the link from Old School. Points well taken. For myself, I hope I find a “family” feel. From there, a limit does not exist. ... Old School, would love to share a conversation some day. ... We still own the farm, but have not personally worked it for years. Livestock has all been replaced with grain. Given time, I wish to change that. I will lose that fight, but wish to keep livestock an option.

Finding my limits ... I will grant you I have found a “comfort” zone in my life. Just not ready to retire just yet. Typically enjoy work too much, but that is why I have Michelle. She will pull me to some social event, I do love that woman.

Performance:

As not to high-jack a previous thread, the idea that in order to achieve “top-tier” driver status or to become a “go-to” driver, performance speaks.

Performance based is thrown out a great deal here, and I suppose I should know, so my apologies for not. In an effort to hone in on the aspects of what performance is for a newbie trucker, I would love advice. From the outside looking in, if I were a DM this is what I would think to expect from a driver. Please correct me and add as needed.

1. Safely arrive on time. 2. Proper pre-trip inspection: avoid/anticipate problems. 3. Manage time within parameters of load requirements. 4. Remain healthy: Eat/sleep/exercise properly. 5. Communication: Read instructions throughly, twice if necessary. Ask only after all personal research is completed. Remain professional. 6. Maintain paper-work especially if Hazmat. 7. Plan route with attention to weather and arrival times in areas of high congestion (rush hour in large metro areas) Again, time management/anticipation.

I am still at home preparing to start, but the window in now within 21 days, there are so many areas of concern. My top three are:

1. Management of time. 2. Mountain driving ... have never done this, they say “appropriate speed” but coming from an area that is relatively flat, the idea that weather will change as I climb is a new concept! I may be a snail :) I have hauled enough livestock in my youth to know weight and movement is a serious issue, but I am afraid Illinois is not an adequate teacher for a true mountain. 3. Changing lanes, or driving within city limits. I do not have a “feel” for how long this rig is, nor an idea of the space it will require.

I am old enough to know that anticipation of the unknown can be an enemy but also a great motivator. Once I am “in it” I do trust myself, just not there yet.

As always, thank you all for your time and advise.

Jay,

I am not going to do the math for you and your family, should not need to. Math if done honestly, will never lie. Insurance coverage on the hand, they will lie ... it is their nature, and way too legal to get into here.

Chances are I am older than you, which means nothing given the icon next to this post will indicate I am next to nothing in trucking (have to start sometime). The thing is all through my life I trusted and still trust my instinct. I believe you already know the answer inside, just looking for verification. Could be wrong ... but given the length of your thought process ... trust your instinct and gut, be honest with your wife, prosper.

Rob, You have no idea how much I appreciate the detailed and thorough thoughts towards your investigation. Personally, when something gets in my crawl ... well lets just say, if your wife ever needs to vent, I will give you my wife’s phone number and they can commiserate.

Information is spot on, and very good to know. Only hope I will remember when needed. ... On the above, I am not kidding, I am going to show this to Michelle only to prove I am not the only one!

Use your App Store.

Our license is our livelihood. You must protect it all costs.

Rob,

CONGRATULATIONS! Very happy this load has been lifted and you can enjoy the Holidays without it hanging out there. Excellent advise all the way through.

Well, thanks to this site and the excellent study material provided, I am happy to say that I passed the written portion of my CDL along with all endorsements with the exception of passenger and Hazmat. I had the procedure for Hazmat backwards; I need to provide my fingerprints and have background check done prior to exam. So, I have appointment tomorrow to start that process.

Now, onto the application aspect.

Marc, Congratulations the feeling of accomplishment has to be wonderful. And thank you for sharing as it has brought about a good many things to consider and incorporate into my life. I really do not have a leg to stand on as my status here indicates, and it was only back in July that I was told I have type 2 Diabetes. Difficult to outrun family history and age.

I have been blessed throughout my life in that I have always been within 10lbs of my ideal weight regardless of what I ate. Now; however, that has changed. Where I once joked that my wife feels the grocery store is really just another library, I now find myself reading the bloody labels! Sugar is everywhere and in quantities within some products simply too high for me now.

Brett, thank you. Diet and exercise are a major concern, but given my outside looking in status I can only envision what might be. Regarding exercise, and once I am solo, I was hoping that my jump rope and a 25lb kettle bell along with jogging would cover most. Never considered Yoga, but that is an excellent idea, nor have I ever really hiked anywhere (flat lands of central Illinois) Diet, from another post, I am hoping that grocery stores will be within walking distance at some point during a stop or gain permission to drop the trailer and find one. I have no delusion that cooking will be the same as home, I will simply need to learn and adapt.

Again, thank you both and to all here. I take my written exams tomorrow so taking the balance of today to review and take practice exams. Cautiously optimistic, I tend to test well, and the information found here is simply priceless.

Thanksgiving weekend at the farm. Trust me, Michelle’s smile is generated deep within.