CFI At Crowder College

Congrats Don!! I am still lurking as my career has not started yet.

Going solo can be terrifying but i was more relaxed as i didnt have a trainer lurking over my shoulder.

you will do great and you are not alone with all.of us here!

Congrats man glad for you and best wishes and safe travels to you may God Bless you richly on your new journey

Thanks everyone for the congrats and advice. I'm excited for the future 'adventures' I will experience such as driving around Dallas, Houston, Jersey, D.C., etc., during rush hours (haha). I will definitely enjoy so those times I'll be driving the rural areas seeing the beautiful farm girls ......urrr........I mean farmland this country also offers.

I made it to the CFI terminal in Taylor, MI and picked up my assigned tractor yesterday. Did a thorough pretrip and no mechanical issues were noted. Had to do some minor dusting/cleaning in the cab, especially under the bunk. Then took an empty trailer (after changing both trailer brake lights) and deadheaded home for 5 days. It was interesting having to trip-plan, even though it was only 180+ miles home, and learning more on the Peoplenet without a trainer. I must have not made any errors because I didn't get any messages from dispatch saying " uhhh, what are you doing?". Haha. I made a fuel stop at a Flying J near Perrysburg, OH. Forgot to change my status from "driving" to "on-duty fueling" (oops), but I was (I think?) kicked off driving when I cut the engine to fuel. When I started driving the on-board kicked me back onto asking if I wanted to go to "driving". There was my first mistake as a solo. When I got home I checked my daily elog and it showed off duty for the time I fueled, so it must do it automatically when the truck is turned off. The drive through rural Ohio was nice. If Big Scott reads this, I took the Peoplenet to my house to learn more how to get around it.I am logged off. If This is a no-no, let me know. I surprised my Mom by walking in her front door, and my little Amigo got so excited he threw up his meal. Poor guy.

I made it to the CFI terminal in Taylor, MI and picked up my assigned tractor yesterday. Did a thorough pretrip and no mechanical issues were noted. Had to do some minor dusting/cleaning in the cab, especially under the bunk. Then took an empty trailer (after changing both trailer brake lights) and deadheaded home for 5 days. It was interesting having to trip-plan, even though it was only 180+ miles home, and learning more on the Peoplenet without a trainer. I must have not made any errors because I didn't get any messages from dispatch saying " uhhh, what are you doing?". Haha. I made a fuel stop at a Flying J near Perrysburg, OH. Forgot to change my status from "driving" to "on-duty fueling" (oops), but I was (I think?) kicked off driving when I cut the engine to fuel. When I started driving the on-board kicked me back onto asking if I wanted to go to "driving". There was my first mistake as a solo. When I got home I checked my daily elog and it showed off duty for the time I fueled, so it must do it automatically when the truck is turned off. The drive through rural Ohio was nice. If Big Scott reads this, I took the Peoplenet to my house to learn more how to get around it.I am logged off. If This is a no-no, let me know. I surprised my Mom by walking in her front door, and my little Amigo got so excited he threw up his meal. Poor guy.

Don, that's a great picture of you and your dog! It's hard to decide which one looks happier.

A few minutes after you stop, if you do nothing, the PeopleNet will change you from "driving" to "on duty". When you started driving and got two miles down the road it asked if you wanted to change to "driving" status. It's no big deal. Now the bad news. You were dead headed from Taylor to home. You don't get paid for that. Have fun at home. When will you be grabbing your first load? We are on the second day of a new pay week.

I realize I won't be paid for deadheading home, and will be onboard Saturday before 0730, so "no checky" for me for this week.

A few minutes after you stop, if you do nothing, the PeopleNet will change you from "driving" to "on duty". When you started driving and got two miles down the road it asked if you wanted to change to "driving" status. It's no big deal. Now the bad news. You were dead headed from Taylor to home. You don't get paid for that. Have fun at home. When will you be grabbing your first load? We are on the second day of a new pay week.

By his reaction when I walked in the door, I would say he was happier, but by just a hair.

Don, that's a great picture of you and your dog! It's hard to decide which one looks happier.

I just got done reading all 30 pages of your progress from start to finish, you look really happy in the pictures you posted. I'll be "leaving for truck driving school in Little Rock, Arkansas Sunday(maybe Monday, early morning?). I'm pretty excited, I started studying for my written exams a few weeks ago, and have really stepped up my game the past few days.

I hope you keep updating your thread, as I look forward to see how things keep progressing for you. Keep up the good work!