I've always been a pretty good driver, even in the early years. OK, so I might have had a teensy bit of a lead foot when I was in my early twenties, but I was still good. As a truck driver though, my senses are always on high alert and I find myself following every little rule to the letter. I never speed, I obey all signs, and have learned to just shake my head at the nonsense I see on the road (before I blog about it, of course!).... Read More

Pay To Stay - Will This Become The Norm?

This weekend, Ed and I were in Bordentown, New Jersey. There are only two truck stops there; a Pilot with very limited parking, and a Petro with 490 parking spaces. You can park at the Pilot for free but if you want a space at the Petro, you either have to pay $12.00 a day to park,buy $25.00 worth of fuel, or rack up the same amount in the c-store; every day you're there. The Pilot was the obvious choice for us because we didn't need fuel and weren't planning on doing any shopping in the convenience store. Plus, I have a thing for Pilot.... Read More

In part one of this post, I gave you "Things" 1 thru 6. Below are "the rest" of the things I've learned since becoming a truck driver. I hope you find them helpful, or at the very least, a fun read.

7. We Are Family

When you become a truck driver, you become part of a family of drivers. Everyone out here knows what you're going through; most likely, they've been exactly where you are now. You have support if you seek it, friends if you want them and someone who always has your back. Although times have changed if you listen to the stories the old timers tell and the talk on the CB is more often than not rated R, but that doesn't mean there still aren't plenty of people out here who will help you out when you need it. And really, it's your duty to do the same. If you see someone with a headlight out or notice that a strap or chain has come loose, do your best to let that driver know. Some people, like me, don't drive with their CB on. If you can catch their eye to get them on the CB (wiggling it in the air like I do, showing them I urgently need to speak with them), believe me when I say they'll appreciate the heads up. I've helped out drivers with trailer doors open, a flat-bedder who had dunnage that was slipping from its securement and even one guy whose interior curtains were flying in the wind outside the passenger side window he rolled them up in. Take care of your family and they'll take care of you.... Read More

Prior to making my decision to go to school to obtain my CDL, I had never even been near an 18-wheeler. Up close, that is. Saw them on the roads but didn't really pay any attention to what they were doing or where they were going; didn't know anyone who drove one; and had never been in one. Now that I drive one, it's like I've never driven a car. Driving an 18-wheeler is not as difficult as one might think, but it's certainly different. Below are some of the things I've learned.

Ten Things I Learned Driving a Truck... Read More

In my last post, I gave you a few ways to determine whether your head was in the right place to become an owner-operator; questions to ponder before deciding to make the transition. ... Read More

So, you've been thinking about becoming an owner-operator. You've probably heard many stories about owner-operators; everything from fairy tales to nightmares.

1. The industry doesn't favor owner-operators.
2. There's no money to be made.
3. Fuel prices are too high to survive and freight levels are diminishing.

Or, conversely, you may have heard:... Read More