Calling All Rookies.....

*Sorry, should've used the Preview feature*

Luke the night I exposed myself to the next driver after waking up thinking I was late.. then getting locked out of the truck? ??? Hahaha

Haha yes that's a good example, but also every time someone answers a question, says an encouraging word, even sets me straight in something I need to hear.

In some ways I think I might have actually learned more about being a diligent employee and the kind of person people want to work with, than about anything specific to trucking. Then again, that's kinda hard to say since I've learned virtually everything I know about trucking from this site and Brett's book (which I still need to finish lol).

Trucking specific things I've learned include....

- High Road Training Program for permit and school

- stories and specifics about what to expect in school

- side by side comparisons of different companies (that's actually how I stumbled across this site in the first place)

- support in school, in training, and on my own

- random tidbits of info here and there that have made my life so much easier

- what to expect in the trucking industry, period

- why not to lease (I probably would have bit the bullet by now)

- to reiterate, literally almost everything I know so far I've learned on here or has been confirmed on here. I read every single blog post from TruckerMike specifically and tons of others (my favorite part of the website), quite of bit of Brett's book, tons of forum threads, High Road Training Program, and more. I recommended this site to everyone in school.

There was one guy I kept in touch with from orientation, who laughed at me whenever I'd talk about TruckingTruth. Leasing wasn't a bad idea, according to him, and he knew just everything there was to know since his "daddy" was a truck driver too. We left orientation at the same time, and he didn't even make it three months out here. He told me he was jacking with the governor (he'd somehow gotten his manual freightliner to go waaaayy above the governed limit), unplugged his Qualcomm , unplugged his camera, had gotten banned from a customer, was getting only 1500 miles or less a week (go figure!), and that Swift had way too many drivers. He somehow managed to not get fired (allegedly), but left on his own since he'd had enough. He found some local job hauling sod and unloading it at people's houses with a forklift. Sounded pretty cool, but I don't envy him for the bill he'll be getting from Swift for leaving early.

So thank you to Brett for creating this site, and all the moderators who comment on here, specifically Errol, G-town, and Old School. I don't see Daniel and Ernie on here as much, but their contributions are also excellent.

Oh, and Phoenix, if we're picking favorites here, G-town is my favorite! He was there helping me out on the forum before Brett even made him a moderator.

I'm not a rookie yet, but I am very thankful for this site. It and everyone here has been a great deal of help in making my decision even if it was on someone else's question.

Thanks Brett for creating it this is truly the best source for new drivers and those looking to get into the trucking business, and thanks to everyone especially all of the moderators the advice you all give is the best, and Not to mention the honest truth..

Even tho I haven't finished it yet the high road training is great it helped me get my permit and my endorsements.

All the info on schools and companies is the absolute best available anywhere on the web.

Again thank you to everyone on here and especially the moderators, and experienced drivers as well. Looking forward to changing my status to rookie driver.

Even though I'm a brand new member, I too can state that this site is indeed a fantastic learning tool and provides great usable information.

The high road cdl training, Bret's book, the various blogs and articles, the glossary, the company reviews, the ability to ask specific questions....it's all GOLD!

I don't even bother with other sites now.

I may not be posting much....but I'm a daily reader!

Thank you all, as this site is the single most important part of my researching the industry.

This site has been so valuable to me! I have learned so much from all of you. I appreciate the honest insight and advice, and you guys (rookies and experienced drivers both) have made me feel more prepared to get out there and take this new career by the horns. I'm so thankful for the high road program too. I look forward to sharing my own adventures soon!

Thanks for old schools helpful reply to my thread - countless stories I have searched and red about what to expect(pros,cons) slot of very helpful and honest information I believe. More stories not to scare but to put the truth out and saying some of the worst things that have happened or may happen..(and the rewards!!)All that stuff really helps for someone like me - not in the trade but soon embarking.. So thank you everybody that contributes!!! Not to mention the backing maps provided by errol those are very fun to figure out! Very helpful and enjoyable guys keep up the grrreeeaatt work!! Thanks - Mike

I may not post a lot, but I've read a TON of old posts and the same names kept coming up: Errol, G-town, Brett, Daniel and of course, Old School. I think rookies on this site would be lost without these wonderful guys. The information and advice has been so helpful to me and has had a direct effect on the choices I've made so far. And I know after I start school next week I will probably be on here posting "help me" messages.

Oh, and Phoenix, if we're picking favorites here, G-town is my favorite! He was there helping me out on the forum before Brett even made him a moderator.

No no no!! I no pick favourites.. Ok, yes I do and yes, old school is definitely one of them, but in all honesty, the list is rather long, because there are different types of people here. Some are very informative, some amusing, some blunt and to the point but give great insight, and the list goes on! I would be afraid I'd leave too many important people out to list names!

As a whole, this website is often my 'go to' when I need an answer. I just don't have the words to express how invaluable a tool it is, how much it's helped me, or how entertained its kept me in times of restlessness or boredom.

I'd like to second this statement:

In some ways I think I might have actually learned more about being a diligent employee and the kind of person people want to work with, than about anything specific to trucking. Then again, that's kinda hard to say since I've learned virtually everything I know about trucking from this site and Brett's book (which I still need to finish lol).

And say that Errol's backing practices have also helped me to analyze ahead as well. Thank you for that!

And thank you to everyone that participates..especially the mods and Brett!!

I have said this many times, I wish I knew about this site while enduring the first several months of rookie-ness. School of hard knocks...could have been avoided in several instances or at least softened.

Thanks for the props. I would like to add a few names that I believe are also valuable contributors to the site; Pat, Six String, Rick, and PersianConversion.