I Have Almost Made It.

Dang Joe that does all suck. But, at least you have a assigned truck now and you are almost there. That first day out is going to be a great one. Being able to finally sit in the Captains seat. Believe you me, it's a blast.

You have come along way and been through the trenches. You will always have some good stories to tell. That's part of the fun of being a trucker. We all have the best stories!

Hope and am praying that you have a safe trip. Will lift you up as well for traveling mercies.

Good Luck and God Speed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well I made it. I am in the "Captian's Chair."

First run was an empty to pick up a loaded one. I got hooked and headed down the road. Mother Nature had a few things to say to me on my first run.

I don't think it ever stops raining in Virginia. Well except when it turns to snow.

Then I hit I 68 in Maryland. And all I see is snow. Wishing for the rain I left in Virginia.

Something I have never figured out. I 68 is an emergency snow route. The problem is, there is snow on this road when no one else east of the rockies has snow.

Well Mother Nature shut me down early. But won't be the last time. No big deal on the load either. Have a huge delivery window.

And everyone is correct. I love it out here.

Keep it safe out here. Joe S

Joe, you did the right thing. You're on your first few days, don't take gambles. I like how you shut it down. Especially since the load has a huge window to deliver. Smart move, good job.

Cool, first run is always memorable. So my question, why did you run I-68? It is like a roller coaster going that route, where you headed, and no other viable route? Just asking because I have run that route & avoid it if at all possible, especially if the load it heavy.

Ernie

Ernie,

I am like you. I would avoid I-68 at all costs if I could. But company plans the route.

In is not written in stone. We can make small changes if we have to, but we have to avoid the tolls on 70 if at all possible.

Keep it safe out here. Joe S

And everyone is correct. I love it out here.

Can't even begin to express how glad I am to see this comment Joe! I know you had a lot of questions going into this and probably more anxiety than we all knew about, but you got er done and now you're gonna start living the life! I know it's a whole different story from what you were doing before, but at least you're freight can't talk back to you now! I'll be looking forward to meeting you out there.

I know it's a whole different story from what you were doing before, but at least you're freight can't talk back to you now! I'll be looking forward to meeting you out there.

My freight can't talk back??? OK, then what are those voices and noises I hear late and night coming from behind me?

I hope we meet up soon. I want to shake the hand of the man the helped me so much along the way.

Don't get me wrong. Everyone here helped. Brett and his High Road CDL training program are second to none. It helped a bunch. But when I needed that extra boost along the way, Old School was right there and said the right things.

It is almost like he knows me personally. And we have never met.

Thanks again to everyone.

Keep it safe out here. The life you save might be your own. Joe S

Ernie,

I am like you. I would avoid I-68 at all costs if I could. But company plans the route.

In is not written in stone. We can make small changes if we have to, but we have to avoid the tolls on 70 if at all possible.

Keep it safe out here. Joe S

Understood. There is a way to program your route via the QualComm (at least here at Prime) by checking your possible route & telling the via point (ie City) you want to go through & most times can alter the route that way to avoid certain roads (I-68 comes to mind). Just a thought if that is possible with your routing.

Ernie

We don't have navigation on our Qualcomm units at Celadon. What it is, when we get our fueling locations, there is also "suggested" routing.

Still getting used to using it. My mapping and GPS don't always agree with the Qualcomm routing.

They just give a list of routes. No mile markers, exits or any kind of towns. Just a list. Which is not fun when you have never been to a certain area. You are trying to find routes you have never heard of and don't know where they are.

Keep it safe out here. The life you save might be your own. Joe S