Question:
Hey was wondering if you guys think it would be a good idea to take my laptop with me on my training tour or should I just leave at home til I get back with my on hood. By the way I'm headed for USA - Truck, orientation starts on the 17th of this month.
DE OPPRESSO LIBER
Yes It's Latin, a Dead Language
But what else would you expect from the "MadMan", a rubber biscuit perhaps.
Just because I'm paranoid dosen't mean they are not after me.

Answer:
afterall it is his truck.
Seriously though---see if you can get in touch with he/she and ask.
In my case,I left mine at home and this was the wiser choice cause as it turned out I would'nt have had much time to play anyway.
After the first week we ran like a team for the most part and when my ten was up I was ready for the rack.
It takes the body and mind a little while to get used to driving like that.JMHO/
Arguing with a truck driver is like wrestling with a pig in the mud;Sooner or later you figure out the pig enjoys it.
Answer:
I would say ...Leave it at home.
At least until After you see if you will have TIME to get on it.
As the poster above stated...If the company runs you & your trainer as a "TEAM" you are NOT going to have TIME to get on it.(unless you plan on using it to map out your route)
Unless you're like ME & you Luv Your Laptop.(I usually Don't leave home w/o mine.)
But, then again, I'm NOT in Training.
or....
You can Take it & if it looks like you are NOT going to have time to get on it you could Leave it Home the first time you get to the house.

Answer:
ever gets close to the house while in training.
My trainer picked me up at the house in Garland,Tx;we rolled east into Louisiana and I did'nt see Texas again for six weeks.
I did however get to see 36 other states.
And if I ever decide to move out of Texas I will be Idaho bound.
Arguing with a truck driver is like wrestling with a pig in the mud;Sooner or later you figure out the pig enjoys it.
Answer:
If nothing else you can keep a journal of where you have been you may want to start a new map every week though and push pin restaurants you like my new drivers ask a couple days later where was that restaurant we stopped at the other day? I never remember.
Seek to know God and Jesus who was presented as the sacrifice of full payment for sin.
Do the VI maintain your following distance maintain your lane position observe the speed limit observe the things around you and keep good records
Safe driving to you.
Joe


Answer:
Well Governor I would ask the trainer but I don't have a clue who it will be and the company probably won't have a clue until it's almost time to climb aboard the truck.
As far as having time to get online most of you are absolutely correct about that. I plan on using it though for routing, for dumping pics off my digital camera and yes for keeping a journal. Of course I could always just grab a good ole paper map, haven't read one of those in a while....lmao; and then I could also just buy a couple of extra memory sticks for the camera, thank God the Chinese have made those dirt cheap; and then the least favorite will be having to go back to a hammer and chisel for my journal. I'll just have to get extra thin stone tablets, wouldn't want to throw the scales off .
DE OPPRESSO LIBER
Yes It's Latin, a Dead Language
But what else would you expect from the "MadMan", a rubber biscuit perhaps.
Just because I'm paranoid dosen't mean they are not after me.

Answer:
I took mine with me when I was in training with FFE and it helped alot if you have cellular internet access. I was able to keep my sanitiy, pay my bills and keep contact with people back home. Every company will allow you to your laptop with you. It's yours and yours alone. the only thing is they will warn you they aren't responssible if something happens to it or it gets stolen.
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen

Answer:
Forget the toys... the laptop being one.
You are out there to learn how to do the job and will be zonked enough to be hitting the berth rather than the keyboard. Bring a notebook for keeping notes.
Pack light, bring more clothes than you think you will need. You will appreciate that more than the laptop.

Answer:
My laptop "TOY" is a valuable tool.
I use it for route planning, and load tracking. I asked my trainer, just before load out and he said no problem, bring it along. I now use it to keep track of my available showers. I added a section to my load tracking database, MS ACCESS, and it expires the showers automatically based on the number of days they are good for at different truck stops. Hence it only shows whats available. I used to forget, it is very irritating to pull into a truck stop and go in only to find your shower has expired..
It is extremely helpful for route planning, MS Streets and a Truck Stop guide, and you can plan your trip pretty good, and if allowed, decide the best route to take and how it will affect your time. Also handy if you need to reroute (accident, weather, etc.) or you get, er, misplaced. You can look at the street names near you, and then determine how to get back on the right path!
I say, take it if you can!