TravelsinTrucking

Partway through the simulator, I froze.  There were 6 mirrors to watch, a 17' tractor to account for, a 53' trailer on the back, other cars, traffic signals, a corners of varying degrees of sharpness to account for.  I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be looking for, how much space I was allowed to take up, how to judge when to start turning, or even how hard to turn.  I didn't realize it, but a steering wheel in a CMV has to be turned 2 full revolutions in either direction to get the wheels totally pointing in that direction.  That was explained that morning in the in-cab inspection, but I didn't equate that with the effect it would have when in motion.  See, I learned that info last Wednesday.  Clearly, it now makes sense.  However, by now, my class has already probably driven on the highway and backed into docks.  Not too little, but certainly too late. Now, as I'm airing out my concerns and frustrations, I would like to take a moment to no...

The complete pre-trip inspection includes a check of around 215 components in, under, and around the tractor and trailer, and takes between 20-30 minutes (assuming you are familiar with the process).  Entering training, I could probably name about 15 or 20 of these components.  6 students (instead of the normal 3) were squished around 1 engine compartment while the instructors quickly pointed out 20 or 30 components and then moved on to the next section.  I could barely see what they were pointed at, and had no idea of the purpose of most of what they showed me.  I asked about a few common components, and they thought I was joking.  I was not. I tried to explain that if I've never seen the component, don't know what it's called, don't know what it does, or how to tell if it's damaged, it's going to be  really  difficult to remember it.  Their take on it was that if they pointed at it and told me what to say (there is specific verbiage to be use ...

Hi everybody! Whew!  This is going to be a very  long recap, so I've decided to split it into 3 posts.  What a whirlwind week this has been!  Lots of traveling, learning, adjusting, and humbling experiences.  I'll start off with the biggest, and most humbling experience of them all: I'm back home in PA. First off, yes, I'm okay!  I didn't leave due to an injury or other emergency.  Essentially, what happened is that the training was too fast-paced for me. I'm used to not only being at the head of my class, but being ahead  of it, as well.  This was as big of a surprise to me as it perhaps is to many of you reading this right now.  After a few days in the program, the supervisor of the program and I sat down to discuss my progress and take an honest look as to where I was.  We mutually agreed that at the pace I was learning, I would not be able to take the exponential leaps between days to keep up with the new information being throw...

Hey everyone!  Quick update: my official class schedule is 6:30 am - 4:30 pm Central Standard Time Monday through Friday, and 12-4:30 pm on Saturdays.  I have a ton of homework and things to memorize, and I'm figuring I'm going to have to be in bed before 9 pm, just to have enough time to wake up, be coherent, eat something so I don't pass out, and still make it to school on time.   So, I definitely will only have time to update my blog once/week max, and I might not have any time to reply to people individually at all.  Thanks in advance for your understanding.  I appreciate you all and your support and prayers so much!!! <3  ~ Amanda q:p

It seems that my videos are too large to upload Blogger! Since I already have them uploaded to my OneDrive account, I'm going to try and share them directly from that platform.  The order of videos is Intro, Tour, Conclusion.  Please let me know if for some reason, the link to the video folder doesn't work.  Thanks and enjoy!!! ~ Amanda q:p Room Tour Videos

Hey everyone!  I had wanted to upload a video of my room tour, but it's taking quite a while to load lol - maybe tomorrow!  Today, I spent time napping, eating, and napping lol.  My body most definitely needed the rest!  I was able to get my grocery delivery from Walmart without any trouble, and am very happily installed in a single room (yay!!!).  Have a great night, everyone <3 .

Quick note: I have made it Appleton safely, and was able to get into the hotel early!!! Thank you to everyone who prayed, encouraged, and supported me aLONG the way haha. Settling in now, and hopefully going to sleep soon. So grateful to see a bed lol 😁🤗💖! ~ Amanda

Hello hello! Just a quick note to say that I've made it safely onto the bus, and am awaiting my departure from Harrisburg!!! Special shout out to my friend, Karah, for getting me here in one piece, and helping me lug around my bags, even though Amtrak locked the doors, and shut off the lights just as we walked up 😆😆😆. Okay. I am exhausted!!! Goodnight ❤! PS - Just in case I feared I might be bored on the way there, a fellow passenger is kindly gracing the ENTIRE bus with his colorful phone conversation with his friend. Apparently, he is planning to buy an old Acura from his friend, and will transfer his Mustang insurance over to the Acura when he gets the chance. Thank you, kind sir, for choosing to drive legally. 🙄😂

 Hi everyone! Just an introductory post to welcome you to my new blog :).  Once again, a special thank you to all who donated money to my trip/training period.  I couldn't have done this without you.  My heart is so full <3 !  Since I'm going to be very busy training to become an OTR (over the road/long haul) trucker in the next few months, I thought it might be nice to set up a blog so that I can keep everyone updated all at once.  So, here are some details about my new career to get you started: I'm leaving this Friday night (3/5) from Harrisburg, and will be traveling by Greyhound bus to Appleton, WI for training.  Just a hop, skip, and a 37-HOUR TRIP, and I'll be there in 2 shakes of a lamb's tail.  However, someone else has graciously offered to cover the cost of the trip for me, so the schedule suits me just fine.  It's hard to be disappointed in "free" lol.  I will arrive on Sunday morning.  Classes will start on Monday, 3...