New To This ADVICE PLEASE

ok so I'm starting my classes on the 27th in Knoxville I will be driving for PAM Transport. I've always loved the road it's the most free place.. my mother and father were both truckers and so I think the love of the road is just in my blood.. Any advice about trucking in general yall can give me that my momma hasn't already.. no shady dark places I already heard that.. and for the love of christ don't lease lol.. anything besides that that yall can tell me?

Welcome Kristy. We have a ton of stuff for ya:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

The career guide will teach you all about what it takes to get your career off to a great start. Some of it you can skip because, for instance, you've already chosen a school and a company to work for. But there's a ton of great information in there to help you understand what the training will be like and what life will be like on the road.

My book talks a lot about what life is like on the road, complete with stories and insights into what it takes to really thrive out there.

Our High Road Training Program is an awesome system we've built to prepare you for your written CDL exams including your permit and all endorsements. There are also sections on Learning The Logbook Rules and Understanding Truck Weight And Balance, both of which you'll need for doing your job every day out there.

If you'll complete our High Road Training before you begin school you'll be miles ahead of the rest of the class. You'll already know the classroom stuff so hopefully they'll be able to move you more quickly into other areas of training.

Welcome aboard! Brett's book and the High Road Training are great. In addition, there's a lot you can learn from the Forum area by reading other's posts and the responses.

Welcome Kristy. Having the benefit of both parents as former truckers is a huge help.

Please check out the diary section of the forum. If you are so inclined, try to keep us posted on your progress so that we might be able to assist along the way.

Good luck to you.

Thanks, I am thinking of using the diaries section as i do love to keep a daily log of my progress.. I'm very excited, my husband not so much, he is terrified (as he rightfully should be) his words when talking about a rig are "screaming metal death machine". He's not so worried about his driving as other peoples I told him that once he gets comfy in a truck he will see that it's not so bad.. People won't respect you and they will try and cut you off and treat you like crap but the freedom of the road will make it all worth it.. My dad is a very philosophical man and taught me that things are going to look bad but make the most of it because that's what you have to do.. I'm saying this because if yall do end up reading my diaries then you will understand why it is that i will be so happy and cheery about it.. It's because as long as i stay happy my husband stays less stressed and that's how our whole next year will be hopefully.. All smiles, from a crazy girl about to feel the freedom of the road..

Kristy H.

I start school July 11th so you’ll be a few weeks ahead of me. I'm sure I'll benefit from your journals, so Thanks in advance. I can’t even begin to tell you how much this place helps, and there is just a ton of really good info.

Dig in, you’ve definitely come to the right place.

Take your time and don't get frustrated. When you first start backing it will seem impossible, but give it time. And the best tip that has worked for me is keep your expectations low, that way you will be able to deal with all the bs that can go with this job. Good luck!