Start CDL School For Stevens Transport Mon. 6/6/16 (Whew, Glad That One Is In That Date!!)

9/2/16

Okay, it's Friday, the beginning of the holiday weekend and I've finally got a chance to do an update. We have been running the truck the limit of the 19 hours a day that we can during the final stages of training. We got to the yard here in Dallas Tues. evening and had to get some work done on the truck. We ran a local load Wed. evening and were just going to do that Thurs. and Fri. before my trainer's home time this weekend, but some of the work they did on the truck wasn't right and then they didn't have the parts. So, we have been sitting a couple of days and there was some worry that I might have to be reassigned to a different trainer so that I could be running this weekend. I was really worried as I now have a great trainer and don't want to change. Well, I saw my new student counselor and she looked at my record and said, "No, with the holiday you're fine. You guys have been running really hard, just relax this weekend and as long as you roll out Tues., you'll be just fine on your hours. Enjoy your weekend!" Needless to say, I was quite relieved to hear that!! I'm just planning to sleep here on the truck, although I may go rent a motel room one night to relax, watch what I want to on TV, have a shower to myself, and maybe even have a beverage or two as a reward to myself.

As far as training goes, I have 5.6 hours left on level 5, and then I start level 6 (the final one). I had hoped to have 5 finished so that my level 6 on-line lessons would load and I could get them done this weekend, but the wait for parts kinda messed that up. Level 6 is 50 more driving hours and I still need two more mountains for my requirements, then I'll be done. My counselor was asking me today when I wanted to take my time off, before or after Grad school. I had planned on doing it after Grad school and getting my truck, but to get me a load going close enough to home without a personal vehicle is next to impossible, and the cost of my meds makes it imperative that I take my pick-up and go home and get my meds out of my PO box as soon as possible. The ones I have might just last that long, and I am NOT paying another $200-400 for them when I can get them mailed to me for $5.00. Oh well, we'll see how it works out.

Anyway, that's where I'm at, but I am getting kinda excited to get done and get my own truck!!

DSTURBD

Sounds great. Enjoy your weekend.

Great journals DSTURBD! 21st century learning curve can be a little awkward, but it's good to know you've made it this far. Can't wait to read the end of the story. . heck, I think someone might want to option it for the next indie trucking film LOL! I'll be heading out to the same school, right behind you . . 1st Denver, then on to Dallas.

I am really grateful you took the time to share your story here. Plenty of people can relate to your story on many levels. I wish you continued success, and hope to follow your progress at least till you tell us about your shiny black solo rig. By then I'll be on that same range you used to shake off the driving cobwebs.Hang in there, let the negativity/drama slide off and don't forget to breathe.

Great journals DSTURBD! 21st century learning curve can be a little awkward, but it's good to know you've made it this far. Can't wait to read the end of the story. . heck, I think someone might want to option it for the next indie trucking film LOL! I'll be heading out to the same school, right behind you . . 1st Denver, then on to Dallas.

I am really grateful you took the time to share your story here. Plenty of people can relate to your story on many levels. I wish you continued success, and hope to follow your progress at least till you tell us about your shiny black solo rig. By then I'll be on that same range you used to shake off the driving cobwebs.Hang in there, let the negativity/drama slide off and don't forget to breathe.

Hey there Lumber Jack! Thanks for your encouragement. Things are going great with my new trainer. Funny how good the loads are when your trainer is not shouting at their DM and refusing loads. LOL Yeah, I'm in the last half of level 6 with one mountain and about twenty-five or thirty more driving hours to go. Headed for CA now, so should get my last mountain tomorrow. Got one last night. No time to write more now, gotta do my online quizzes for level 6.

Been too busy runnin' loads to have time to post. I will catch it up later. I wouldn't leave y'all hangin'!!!!!!

ALMOST DONE!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!

Still lovin' it!!

DSTURBD

Great to hear. Waiting to see a pic of you with your own truck.

Funny how good the loads are when your trainer is not shouting at their DM and refusing loads.

See, and you thought having that first trainer was nothing but horrible. Turns out he taught you exactly how not to act as a professional. He also taught you that not all drivers are treated the same. The top tier drivers are indeed treated better. If you run all of the loads they give you safely and on time and keep lobbying for more miles you're going to get them. You'll be in better equipment, you'll get special favors, you'll get along famously with dispatch, and overall things will work out great.

It sucks you didn't have much fun with that first trainer but you learned the most important lesson there are for a new driver - prove yourself to be a top tier driver and handle your job like a true professional and your company will reward you for it and treat you that way.

And make sure you spread the word! I'm sure you've already come across your fair share of whiners and complainers out there who can't get any miles and hate their company. Let em know how things really work. Will they listen? Not all of them. But hey, that's not your problem. You told them how everything works and it's up to them to make it happen.

Really glad to hear you're enjoying yourself and things are going well. I hate it that your first trainer was a bozo but believe me, it was worth it for you. You learned some of the most important lessons there are to learn about finding happiness and success in this industry.

Looking forward to your upgrade to solo. Won't be long now!

Funny how good the loads are when your trainer is not shouting at their DM and refusing loads.

See, and you thought having that first trainer was nothing but horrible. Turns out he taught you exactly how not to act as a professional. He also taught you that not all drivers are treated the same. The top tier drivers are indeed treated better. If you run all of the loads they give you safely and on time and keep lobbying for more miles you're going to get them. You'll be in better equipment, you'll get special favors, you'll get along famously with dispatch, and overall things will work out great.

It sucks you didn't have much fun with that first trainer but you learned the most important lesson there are for a new driver - prove yourself to be a top tier driver and handle your job like a true professional and your company will reward you for it and treat you that way.

And make sure you spread the word! I'm sure you've already come across your fair share of whiners and complainers out there who can't get any miles and hate their company. Let em know how things really work. Will they listen? Not all of them. But hey, that's not your problem. You told them how everything works and it's up to them to make it happen.

Really glad to hear you're enjoying yourself and things are going well. I hate it that your first trainer was a bozo but believe me, it was worth it for you. You learned some of the most important lessons there are to learn about finding happiness and success in this industry.

Looking forward to your upgrade to solo. Won't be long now!

Thanks Brett, yeah I agree, totally!!

DSTURBD

Great to hear. Waiting to see a pic of you with your own truck.

Ha ha, oh believe me Scott, the pic will definitely be in this post when it happens!!!!!! LOL

DSTURBD

Great. Glad you are enjoying yourself.

Glad to hear things are going well,...what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.

Finish line is within sight. Good luck.