Well I am finished with my training with Frank. I got out of his truck last Thursday, and went home for the weekend. I drove my own car to Tunnel Hill, GA on Sunday so I could be at the terminal first thing Monday. Got there and found the person that could give me my upgrade tests. I had to take a short road test, a written test, a backing test, then spend about 2 hours in their simulator (I want one at home to play games on!) It has 3 good size flat panels that show you the view out the front and sides of the truck. It is pretty close to being in a real truck. I passed all the test and they promoted me to a 1st seat driver, which means I am on my own now!!!

I should be going to Albany, GA to pick up a truck that some left over there then they quit. I will post a few pictures of it when I get it. I need to buy a few things to make it mine like a inverter to run the fridge and microwave, and my laptop (got to be connected on the road!)

I have been on Frank’s truck for a little over 2 weeks, have about a week and a half left. It is a 07′ Volvo with a 10 speed auto shift transmission (WOW I don’t ever want to go back to a manual for most driving) I have been doing all the driving, and have almost 5000 miles under my belt The driving is pretty easy, but I still need practice on backing into tight spots, which there will be plenty of on this account. We have electronic logs so there is no cheating on the hours, but it also means the dispatchers can’t push us to run longer than legal. We will be doing a couple hours of backing practice today before heading to Tampa for a delivery tomorrow morning. I will get to sleep in my own bed tonight. The truck has a Truck PC in it that does most of the paperwork. We have to scan our bill of lading at the truck stops to get paid, but the rest of it is done on the truck computer.

The truck at a store at night.

Here is the view from my new rolling office. We were on our way to Miami. The weather started out great, but then it rained so hard you could barely see the road. I am enjoying the view, but people in cars need to watch out for trucks!

Well after being in the computer / network field for the last 15 years and getting laid off I could not find work done here in sunny FL. So I decided to go to truck driving school and get my CDL license. Got it last Friday, and by Wednesday this week I had a new job. I have to drive to TN for orientation, and then it is off to a truck with a trainer for 3-4 weeks, then I get my own truck!!! Woo Hoo. I will try to update the blog while on the road with pictures and progress of the training.