Wow...been a long time...

Damn...I have been a slacker when it comes to updating this. A lot has happened since I last posted...I finished training and started out as a company driver, I was assigned a lightweight 2010 Peterbilt 380 and I named her Belle.

I only lasted a month as a company driver, in a lightweight. A lightweight truck has a small sleeper and no storage space and being out on the road for 30 days at a time...well...it gets very uncomfortable. Belle was a good truck, I had no problems out of her and she pulled heavier loads like she was pulling a light one. I also did not like the fact that I was forced to go places that I did not want to go. The pay sucked. I was at one shipper with a bunch of lease guys, we all had the same load going 2 blocks...literally...down the street...I got paid 18 cents for that load...they got paid $1400. That was when I decided to form a company and lease a truck.

Texas Native Trucking, LLC was formed in Missouri on April 12, 2012. I leased a 2010 Peterbilt 387...I figured what the hell, Peterbilt is a Texas manufactured truck, (manufactured in Denton, Texas for those of you who did not know that.) And I had such good luck with Belle. I named the new truck Jade.

Full size condo sleeper...she is nice. The first month of leasing my own truck and having the freedom to pick and choose where I go and what loads I take has been rewarding. The second month not so great...broke down twice and was down for a week each time. The third month is not looking any better have been broke down 3 times and am sitting in Ardmore, Oklahoma right now...waiting...talked to Fleet Manager and told him that something needed to be done about this truck and we are in the process of seeing about getting a different one...will try to update more as this progresses.

Would I trade my new career choice? No! The only drawback to this lifestyle is that I am not home much and I do miss my family...but when I am running the roads and delivering loads and not broke down, the money is good and I am seeing parts of the USA that I never would have gotten to see otherwise and I am having a blast.

Until next time friends...keep the rubber side down, the shiny side up and the hammer down.

Sitting...

Well sitting at the yard is difficult for me...I have one more night for the compliance check and should be back on the road tomorrow sometime...talked to trainer and he is 460 miles out, but probably won't make it into Springfield today due to not having enough hours to run.


The difficult part about being on the yard is listening to these "Super Truckers" bitch and whine about the company...I told one today who was a lease driver that bought his truck and is becoming an Owner/Operator for the company, I believe its called Logistical, not sure,  that if he was so damn unhappy and bitching about everything, why not go some where else. He didn't have anything to say, so I told him that he needed to Shut the F#@k up and stop talking his trash around all the Students that were listening to his every word like it was gospel. These students come here to obtain their CDL and learn to drive, they don't need to hear negative BS about a company that can't be backed up...just someone who is unhappy but takes that leap to own your own truck and still bitch about how unfair you are treated...well lets look at how unfair...don't get miles, but you got enough and paid off a truck...don't go fast enough...but you paid off a truck and leased it back to the same company that your bitching about...Drivers for this company suck...Oh but guess what? Your staying and leasing your truck back them...hmmmm...Shut the F#@k up, douche bag!

Rant over...some people will never be happy. I like it here and have been treated very fair. Ready to get on with it!

Been a while....

It has been a few days since I updated this blog. Things are running as smooth as they can. We have been plagued with truck issues. In the almost month I have been in training I have only gotten about 10,000 of the 40,000 miles I need to go solo. My trainer is alright...he is young and I believe that I am his first trainee. But all in all he is an alright co-driver and is teaching me what I need to know.

I am sitting in the company motel for 7 days...My own fault...I have been disqualified to drive until I can get in compliance with my CPAP machine...It is a set back...but I think a good one...because I was getting to the point of reaching my limit with being around someone for so long in such a small environment. 7 days of vegging out to re-find my center is a good thing.

Here are a few photos of my travels:
                                                               

New Hampshire Exit Sign...Lol

                                                                         

Hudson River

To the Bat Cave...Kraft Caves in Springfield, Mo.

                                                                              

Arizona Rest Area

Arizona Sunrise

Cold Arrival in Maine, Just outside of Lewiston

Just some of the amenities at the Springfield Terminal....

Done with orientation.....

Well...I am done with my 3 day orientation and am headed out today with a trainer for a few weeks. I have to say that everyone has been professional and courteous. A very big difference compared to Stevens Transport. I look forward to going out and getting this done. Will update as I am able.

Pictures that I never got around to putting on here from training...

                                Twin Sisters on IH-80, which is two almost identical grades a few miles apart.

                                                                 Wyoming Sunset

                                                Sunrise from random Truck Stop in Utah

Day one...new company

Well here I am on day 1 of orientation...the treatment here is so far much better. The staff treat us like we are people and are professional and courteous. So far we are treated with the common respect every human should give another, instead of being talked down to and made to feel sub-human. I was thanked during my initial interview and told "we are glad to have you", what a concept. Passed my DOT physical...again. I will be here one day extra due to non-compliance with my CPAP machine...but all in all I am pretty happy here.

Tomorrow is a full day of orientation classes and then going to start the Passport and TWIC card process.