Phew! Made It As A Truck Driver.

Honestly, I think that's what I like about this industry! I've heard the same thing, that a boring day is a good day but that problem after problem can arise. To say that it will keep a driver on their toes is an understatement :) I say I'm scared sometimes but when I really think about it, solving those problems and getting stuff taken care of like you're describing seems like something I'll be able to navigate and actually be able to laugh about. ;) I'm just having a bit of trouble figuring out which school to go to (a recruiter called a "DAC report" a "DAX report" and it sent all sorts of alarms off in my head because I don't want to pay $4k just to find out that I fell for a sales pitch - which unfortunately and humbly admit that, I often do). Thank you for your encouragement! Happy driving and look forward to your next post of the "Adventures of Jenny"!

Ps: stupid Murphy...I'll be sure to tell him where he can go! Ha!

School choice is so personal. I chose a private school so I could drive for whomever I wanted when I was done. I was also unemployed so it was paid for under a rehab program. There were days that my private school was a total joke, but it was at my own pace, and recruiters wanted us. I chose May, and am honestly VERY happy with them. I don't like where we are governed, and OTRS, I think they actually have to ask all those questions that feel like insults. May's people didn't ever lie to me, and I have a steady check (my check is the same every single week), those two things make a world of difference to me. At the end of the quarter, any miles over what it takes to make my check, I get a bonus, I like it!

There is going to be weirdness no matter the education path you take, and school, it just teaches you how to pass the DMV test. Getting out with a trainer is where you really begin learning the job, and when you are finally solo, that is when you truly, thoroughly begin learning, all the stuff you learned before starts coming together, and you learn so much about yourself, and the career as a whole.

Good luck!

Just enjoyed reading this Thread, going back to the Post where the Trailer brakes were not holding, and the wheels where rolling while trying to slide the Tandums, then you need to do a Brake Safety Tugg test. If the trailer brakes don't hold, then you would be driving with a trailer that would'nt pass a CSA inspection and be put out of service with CSA points on you. What was probably wrong was the slack adjusters were to loose with to much stroke so the brakes would'nt hold. Modern equipment has automatic slack adjusters which should maintain the proper brake shoe adjustment, but everything wears out.

In the old days with manual slack adjusters, the Drivers would periodically climb under and adjust the brakes. I'm just saying that if a trailer won't keep the wheels from turning while trying to Slide the tandums or pass a tugg test then it needs service, else one would be driving illeagally,, Dan

In the old days with manual slack adjusters, the Drivers would periodically climb under and adjust the brakes.

Yes indeed. In fact, for those who don't know, you will find "brake check areas" at the top of some mountains across the country. What we used to do is pull into those areas and adjust the brakes quick before starting down the mountain. You'd see drivers out walking around with wrenches in their hand talking it over with other drivers and taking a quick break before starting down the hill.

Nowadays most of those brake check areas just make you read a sign describing the descent ahead and rarely will you find someone out there adjusting their brakes. Automatic slack adjusters are a wonderful thing. Back in the day before we had those it was all on the driver. If you didn't know how to adjust your brakes you were going to run into problems sooner or later.

Last year my company had a driver meet me in Beloit WI, with a full Tanker to swap for my empty for a turn around back to Williston ND, Did the Tugg test, basically nothing. Trailer shop just put new brakes on the night before, must of broke in on the way to me, called the trailer shop to find out how to perform the brake adjustment as this trailer, had different slacks that the tractors I was used to. Laid there in the snow and wet mud,, was'nt a happy camper, but got her done.

FYI, 2 things, if you write up "Brakes need adjusting", the repair shop, arn't supposed to readjust an automatic slack adjuster, it's broke and needs to be replaced, a mechanic who readjust an automatic slack adjuster is doing something illegal. A DOT truck mechanic is like an aircraft A&P technician, Everything gets written down by regulation, parts, repairs, adjustments. If a Truck hits a School Bus,,, you get my point.

Second if your Brakes fail a CSA inspection, you are put Out of Service and can't move until the brakes are repaired/ adjusted properly. A driver isn't allowed to adjust his brakes anymore, a road service mechanic with a Brake Inspectors card (which I have) must do it.