Knight Transportation, Flatbed

Day 3. Nov. 20th Heater stopped working sometime during the night. Seems like we both woke up at the same time cursing out loud lol. It's 4am and it's Antarctic cold. My toes are numb and I'm shivering. We both literally run into the truck stop to get warm. John goes out to the truck and returns 5min later saying it's blowing cold air. Called his terminal around 7am, told them the problem and they said bring it in and grab a loaner. We drive from Ohio to Indiana to switch trucks. Get into a 2020 Freightliner Cascadia 12 speed auto. This truck is jumpy from 1st-7th. John's Volvo shifts smoothly while this thing shifts like a rookie learning manuel. When coming to stops the truck acts like it's going to shut off. For the first few lights my left leg automatically reached to disengage a clutch that wasn't there lol. But it has heat and the seats are noticeable more comfortable.

Leaving from Indy now to Fayetteville NC, we get about 100 miles out and John decides to look for the registration, insurance card and permits for the truck. Of course it's not in here and John is ****ed. He calls the terminal and chews them out. As soon as he hangs up, the check engine light comes on. He starts cursing. Then he looks up, we notice in the reflection of the chrome trailer doors of the truck in front of us that the passenger headlight is out. He is furious now. Calls the the terminal back and well you know.... Now for the headlight, I did a pre-trip before we left and they were both working. Before we left I used the restroom and John must have turned on the daylights. That is the light that is out. When I noticed I turn the headlights on and in the reflection both lights are now on. On the dash there is a green light icon that displays when the headlights are on. He says that's the daylight icon and to turn it back to where he had it. I did and we move on.

We pull into a TA so John could get the papers for the truck faxed, I take a look at the lights. He came storming back out because the fax machine in the TA was down. I tell him about the lights and he says I'm wrong. Don't want to argue so I let it go. We leave to find another truck stop in route to get the papers faxed to us. The sun is going down and I notice the trailer lights are not on. I mention this and before he flips out I turn the switch. The trailer lights are now on and the headlights are brighter. He asks why is that icon on the dash, I say idk. He sucks his teeth and says whatever. Tells me to drive faster. I was doing 55 in a 60, pulling 48k lbs for the first time.

Not a good day for him. I was more focused on driving safely than the papers not being in the truck. Didn't appreciate his attitude and nitpicking my driving though. We get to a Loves and he tells me not to back just park along the curb. Guess he didn't have the patience to watch me back into a spot lol. Fax at the Loves works. Got everything but the permits faxed over. Did 475 miles today but most of that was from Ohio to the Indy terminal and not towards are drop.

2 sides,

MAN you are having a hella time!!!!

I'm pullin' for ya, no pun intended, good sir.

Campbell's. Ohio? Napoleon? We (Tom) delivers there almost daily, BUT FOR weekends, dangit!!

Following for sure,

~ Anne ~

2 sides,

MAN you are having a hella time!!!!

I'm pullin' for ya, no pun intended, good sir.

Campbell's. Ohio? Napoleon? We (Tom) delivers there almost daily, BUT FOR weekends, dangit!!

Following for sure,

~ Anne ~

Hey Anne. Yea when we git to Ohio you popped into my head. I was like Mama Anne and Tom are over this way. We came in through 80 west drove south of Cleveland. Not sure how far I was from you but definitely was in your neck of the woods lol.

Thanks for the support!

2 sides,

MAN you are having a hella time!!!!

I'm pullin' for ya, no pun intended, good sir.

Campbell's. Ohio? Napoleon? We (Tom) delivers there almost daily, BUT FOR weekends, dangit!!

Following for sure,

~ Anne ~

Hey Anne. Yea when we git to Ohio you popped into my head. I was like Mama Anne and Tom are over this way. We came in through 80 west drove south of Cleveland. Not sure how far I was from you but definitely was in your neck of the woods lol.

Thanks for the support!

Sounds like you might have driven nearby where I am in Willard, OH (for Dutch Maid Logistics orientation).

2 sides,

MAN you are having a hella time!!!!

I'm pullin' for ya, no pun intended, good sir.

Campbell's. Ohio? Napoleon? We (Tom) delivers there almost daily, BUT FOR weekends, dangit!!

Following for sure,

~ Anne ~

Hey Anne. Yea when we git to Ohio you popped into my head. I was like Mama Anne and Tom are over this way. We came in through 80 west drove south of Cleveland. Not sure how far I was from you but definitely was in your neck of the woods lol.

Thanks for the support!

Sounds like you might have driven nearby where I am in Willard, OH (for Dutch Maid Logistics orientation).

2 sides,

MAN you are having a hella time!!!!

I'm pullin' for ya, no pun intended, good sir.

Campbell's. Ohio? Napoleon? We (Tom) delivers there almost daily, BUT FOR weekends, dangit!!

Following for sure,

~ Anne ~

Hey Anne. Yea when we git to Ohio you popped into my head. I was like Mama Anne and Tom are over this way. We came in through 80 west drove south of Cleveland. Not sure how far I was from you but definitely was in your neck of the woods lol.

Thanks for the support!

Sounds like you might have driven nearby where I am in Willard, OH (for Dutch Maid Logistics orientation).

Yeppers, he probably DID !!! Kerry, we're gonna have to hook up. 3 way meet & greet? I'm at my DOCTOR's office about my shoulder right now .. so I'm too far south... sadly.

TWO SIDES, YOU, TOO!!!! Tom literally goes to Campbell's every other day!

Be safe, y'all !!!!!!

~ Anne ~

Campbell's. Ohio? Napoleon? We (Tom) delivers there almost daily, BUT FOR weekends, dangit!!

Following for sure,

~ Anne ~

Thanks for the support!

Sounds like you might have driven nearby where I am in Willard, OH (for Dutch Maid Logistics orientation).

2 sides,

MAN you are having a hella time!!!!

I'm pullin' for ya, no pun intended, good sir.

Campbell's. Ohio? Napoleon? We (Tom) delivers there almost daily, BUT FOR weekends, dangit!!

Following for sure,

~ Anne ~

Hey Anne. Yea when we git to Ohio you popped into my head. I was like Mama Anne and Tom are over this way. We came in through 80 west drove south of Cleveland. Not sure how far I was from you but definitely was in your neck of the woods lol.

Thanks for the support!

Sounds like you might have driven nearby where I am in Willard, OH (for Dutch Maid Logistics orientation).

Yeppers, he probably DID !!! Kerry, we're gonna have to hook up. 3 way meet & greet? I'm at my DOCTOR's office about my shoulder right now .. so I'm too far south... sadly.

TWO SIDES, YOU, TOO!!!! Tom literally goes to Campbell's every other day!

Be safe, y'all !!!!!!

~ Anne ~

Deal!

Sounds good Mama Anne but has to be when I'm solo. This training is straining. Barely have time for a 30min break, a meet and greet is definitely not feasible lol

Day 4. Nov 21st Leaving the Loves at 8am. Still feel his negativity from last night. He says we have to hurry and drop this load off. Today is Sunday and it's an open delivery, can be dropped off anytime before midnight. I'm feeling fine and only assume we have to rush because that's how he is use to things. John is a runner, takes load after load and only stops for restroom breaks. It's a little straining for me because I'm not accustomed to it yet. Never driven more than 5hrs in one shot without a break. I feel like I can do 10hrs in a day but need a 30 and maybe another 5-10min out the truck to stretch along the way.

We take 64 to 77 through WV and VA. The WV mountains are beautiful. Like one of God's greatest creations. Did a much better job at keeping the speed down driving through these mountain roads. Kept it below 50mph using the Jakes. Virginia is just as nice, went through the tunnels, entered NC and these roads are nice and smooth. These have to be the type of roads truckers dream about. Passed by Pilot mountain and the scenery was exquisite. Then came downtown Winston-Salem smh. Traffic, pot holes, short on ramps and aggressive driving. Had to be very alert during this, was glad to get out of there. More scenic views of NC then the dreadful residential streets of Fayetteville.

A scary moment in Fayetteville when I came across a stale green light up ahead. Remember your training grasshopper! Slow down, be prepared to stop and pick a point of no return then continue with acceleration when you get to the pre judged spot.... Light turns yellow, then red. I'm not at my pre judged spot so I apply the brakes... Hmm, doesn't seem like I'm going to stop in time, apply the jakes on high, yea I'm definitely not slowing down fast enough. With the truck screaming from the jakes I start to panic. John tells me I have to run the light, I'm too heavy to stop in time. I lay on the air horn before getting to the intersection and the entire way through it. My heart was pounding hoping no one crossed out in front of me. Sheesh! got a real life lesson in total stopping distance. No classroom can prepare you for that. I was doing maybe a little over 40mph definitely below 45mph with about 200ft to the light. Needed maybe 50ft more to stop in time. Just glad it didn't end in a catastrophe.

Delivered the load around 4pm. Non stop driving. With about 20 miles left my 30min warning came up, as usual. John said I can make it and do my 30 at the receiver. Not a fan of doing that because it's not a true break. I have to do paperwork, uncouple and pick up an empty. The Vets might feel differently but after 5 plus hrs of driving, I need to eat and take a few minutes to stretch. My body isn't use to this, especially not eating lunch.

We leave with an empty and our next stop is in Browns Summit, NC going to Wilmer, TX. Get to Dunn, NC and shut it down at this Pilot off 95. Time to eat and sleep!

Interesting to get the daily details, TwoSides! That's what I'm most curious about... the details of the day-to-day. It sounds like your trainer does run pretty hard. Once you're on your own, you'll be able to manage your breaks how you like--soon! Glad things were ok with that red light situation.

Preparation. I have to eat every two hours or so. I'm hypoglycemic. I hang a bag off the armrest of my chair, I have power bars, chips, fig newtons in it, long lasting carbs and protein. I can easily access when driving. I also keep a thermos type sippy cup in the door panel cup holder filled with Gatorade. One in the main cup holder. I did this in training too, just take your set up with you as you leave the seat. Should be non invasive that way. Just don't eat and drive if it's a difficult spot and if the trainer doesn't want you to. I explained to my trainer that I was hypoglycemic and to eat frequently to keep my sugar levels safe. He understood.