Triac's Blog

Well I finally get some home time. After Washington for his home time, we went to Denver, then east.

I drove through New York City even. Wasn't as bad as I thought, but it was 2 am though.

Three weeks done in training now. Halfway. I'm sure I won't get any more home time so I'm gonna enjoy this.

I haven't been able to get online at all while we were on the road. I was too busy sleepin or drivin since we're running team now. I like it. Being on my own will be different, but I'm ready and up to the challenge (I think).

Some pics:


Windmill Propellar


Feline Trucker


Bigfoot Truck

Category: General

Well I'm on a truck with a trainer now. I've already logged over 1000 miles and done a few backs. I suck at backing right now but he says I'm doing ok.
I'm sitting in a motel in Seattle right now. Trainer's on home time and it's nice to have internet and cable, not to mention shower and toilet and a bed that isn't bouncing.
Here's a couple of pics.



This is the truck I'm on. It's a KW W900 and my trainer thinks it's the greatest. He's chroming it out slowly but surely. Looks pretty good.



This is the terminal at Salt Lake City where we sat most of the day before the fourth.

Well, hope everybody had a good Fourth of July.

Category: General

Well I took a walk in Parkville yesterday waiting on you know who to call. They never did but I got a couple pics and some exercise too. Good for the BP I guess.

Posting them on here to see how they look on the blogs.

The first one was actually moving 45-55 mph. The second one was only moving as fast as the Missouri River was.

Turns out I have a new trainer and might get to go out Monday. Who knows now. I talked to a guy that was at the Academy I was at and at Orientation too. He's already driving and 100 miles from Chicago. GRRRR.

Category: General

Now I'm just waiting for them to call. My trainer was out last night and they're supposed to call today. Hopefully I'll be going out today or tomorrow.

I'm glad orientation is finally over. However, there's still so much to learn. I really hope I get a good trainer. Seems like the trainer is everything, they can definitely hurt or help you.

I hate waiting around for a phone call, but oh well. I'm finally relieved to have a job, even if it is Swift. With my past, I was lucky to be hired by anybody for a driving job, so I feel I gotta stick with it for a while. Besides, I need the reimbursment for school too.

Wish that HazMat would hurry up and go through so I can get my hard copy CDL. Don't wanna pay for another license so I'm waiting for it too.

Well, type to ya later.

Category: General

Well the day started out ok. Didn't sleep a wink or so it felt that way. My alarm went off at 4 am and I got up and made coffee. De-caf of course because of the blood pressure. I headed out around 10 after 6 and got to the place by 20 til 7. Orientation started at 7 and I wasn't sure where to go.

Figured out where to go and class began after 7 am. Paperwork and more paperwork. Then the drug test. I wasn't worried about anything except the BP. I took one of my pills after I got up. I took the bottle with me in my lunchbox in case they needed the prescription.

A nurse had us come into the room across the hall where she did all the vitals. Of course, my BP was high. She wrote it on the paper and said the doctor would take it again when he did my physical. Well now I was worried and a guy outside in the break area told me to take a couple more and relax. So I did.

Well the doctor took it and said it was a little high, but signed off on a 1 year med card (Just like Roadhzrd said). I think he just signed it so I wouldn't flunk and be gone. I was told later I would never get a 2 year now.

Then it was off to take the somewhat strenuous test for flatbed and van drivers. Well, now the BP meds were kicking in and I started to get dizzy and so I stopped the flatbed testing and told them to just move me to the van part, worried if I at least didn't pass that, I would be gone for good. Well I passed that, so all was good, except now I guess I can't drive a flatbed for Swift. Oh bummer. :-)

Tomorrow will be more paperwork and videos and who knows what. At least they're buying lunch.

Now I just gotta work out that Dr.'s appt. with them and see when I can move it to, since Wednesday is the last big day for Orientation and if you get hired or not.

Well, we'll see what happens.
Type at ya later.

Category: General

Swift called Friday and they had a cancellation and asked if I could come in Monday. I said sure so tomorrow's the big day.

My blood pressure is still high though. I only got a 3 month DOT med card because of it. Went to the doctor last monday and got some meds for it (lopressor). I've been on them since then and it's still too high. I'm at my dad's and he has a home tester so I've been watching it.

I've got a doctor's appt. Wednesday and need to get a new physical for a 2 year med card. Don't know how that's going to go with orientation or just what to expect.

Thanks for all the comments.

Post more after Monday.

Category: General

I went today for my test and guess what....I PASSED! Woohoo. I'm so happy.
Just talked to Swift on the phone and they have me slated for Monday the 30th for orientation.
I can't wait.
This is going to be great and I'm really looking forward to it. Just gotta tell myself not to get pissed and discouraged and bear with it, as it will be so much worth it in the long run, and I'll be happy.
Well, catchya on the flip side, type more later.

Category: General

Well I'll tell you a little about myself. I'm 39 years old and have been an electrician almost my whole life. I got tired of it and looked into something in driving and delivering. I was a courier for a while but it just wasn't worth it using your own vehicle.
I applied and got into an academy near my home here in Kansas City. So far so good, I think I'll really like being a trucker with my lifestyle. My sister says I'll be a natural lol
I hope to get some very cool pics up as I travel. I'm looking very forward to my own truck and traveling.

Lately I've been really involved in this game called Trukz
It's pretty cool and hopefully I can play it a lot on the road, or will I even want to. lol

Category: General

Hi there.

Well I'm just starting out into trucking.
Actually I've been going to a driving academy for the last 3 weeks. They think I'm ready for the big test Wednesday.
Man I hope I pass! I'm tired of the academy and ready to get to it.

Supposedly I'm pre-hired by Swift, but we'll see. I've heard good and bad things about them, but that's with any company I guess.

I got all my endorsement tests done and Monday I am going to try and get my fingerprints taken for the HazMat endorsement. Should take a week and then maybe I'll get my CDL with all the endorsements soon. That is, if I pass the test Wednesday.
Wish me luck!

Category: General