Question:
is it just me but why do people just talk about being otr with trainer and never about that first drop-off with no trainer that the stuff i want to here about not "we went here" "he/she made me do this" "he/she let's me do this or that the real deal is when nobody is holding my hand any more just me and truck would like to hear that stuff why? because because soon it will be me & truck.
Answer:
The first few trips without your trainer are going to be riddled with anxiety. You will be more nervous than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
After the first few trips, things will start to 'settle down' for you. Establish a pattern for yourself to go by.
Good Luck!
Until then, listen to Rokki and take plenty of notes when you can!

Answer:
So beantown I take it you're going to have an online journal of your travels similar to Cyanides, Taxibnomores (before it mysteriously disappeared), and the drivers journal over at newbiedriver.com? I agree those are interesting and full of info.
Good Luck & Thanks for volunteering to do another journal

Answer:
I look back at those days as kind of funny and fun. That first load when its just you and your truck can be scarry. You think youve learned it with your trainer then all of the suden its like you forgot every thing you learned. But Hoss is right. Try and establish a pattern you can drive and work by. It will make it alot easier.
One thing is for sure. You wont be borred for a while.

Answer:
You want it, you got it. Or rather the very first trip I had "Solo" after dropping off my Phase II partner in Marshfield.
Strange how you start to rely on the "security blanket" of having another driver with you.
Anyway, I was dispatched from Marshfield down to Port Edwards to pick up a load. Routing was routine for Wisconsin in early March and so I headed out with a fairly high degree of confidence. The closer I got to the shipper though, the more I realized that I was now truly on my own and all the decisions, right or wrong, were mine.
And I had to back into a slot on my own for the very first time...
Fortunatley, the words of my trainer kept echoing through my mind and I was taking everything very slowly and ensuring that I didn't scare more than a couple curbs going through towns.
I checked into the shipper and found where I needed to drop my empty. I must have pulled up ten times just trying to get hte trailor lined up perfectly. Didn't want to leave a bad impression, don't ya know?
When I finally got the empty dropped, the "yard dog" was watching and he made the comment, "First solo trip? Just take it easy, it's not as hard as you think."
Anyway, I hooked up to the load, found the paperwork, read it very carefully to make sure it was going where I had been told and then with a deep breath, a prayer and a fresh bottle of tums, I headed for Texas (the final destination).
Everything was going fine until I remembered that there were wieght restrictions on part of the route due to the Spring thaw. Okay, not a problem, call my FM, tell him about it and press on.
Over the next couple of days, if you had seen me, you would have seen someone driving under the speed limit, exagerating my turns and just taking it easy.
When I finally, got to the destination, ahead of schedule, my confidence took a giant leap. I had done it and safely!!!
Since then, with each load, I have gained more confidence and learned how to handle the equipment and the everchanging conditions safely.
And there you have it, a short (sorta) recap of my first solo.... I ride for those who can't! POW/MIA - You are NOT forgotten!!
Lead, Follow or get out of my way!!!

Answer:
During my first week I had to back into a dock. ...from a dirt lot, across a blind corner with about a 30 foot offset. I was as nervous as long tail cat... I gave the consignee the paperwork, looking at the 50 foot space from the dock to the street, eyeing the 73 foot monster that I was to squeeze in there... hoping my “Depends” was going to hold up.
As I started walking towards the monster, a guy ran up to me wearing an orange safety jacket and a handful of traffic cones. He told me to get started and he would take care of the traffic.
Relieved (emotionally) I hopped into the monster and aced the ‘S’ back on the first shot. Damn I was proud. Went back for the congratulatory attaboys. All agreed with the stipulation that it would have been better if I had opened the doors first.
After that, things went pretty normal. Occasional hiccups, but nothing worth mentioning.
-JHappy Dwellers Society
Company Driver Division

Answer:
Doesn't matter too much, if you get on the dock and the doors are shut, you can just drop it forwards, open the doors, and push it back again. If you don't touch the steering when you do that, you should end up back in the same spot... we hope...
Oh, that's always something to check for when you pick up a trailer. Look at the back end and see if there is a way to secure those doors open. A lot of vehicles I've had here have had 1 or both doors with no way to hold them in place during a reverse onto a dock. Since I don't want a stray door A) blocking half my view, and B) Hitting someone, it's time to find a way to secure it. A rogue chunk of that plastic strip they use for strapping pallets, or a bit of rope does the job just fine. Tie it to the chassis, and loop it round the door handle, or the securing bar thing that locks it in place.
If you constantly get trailers with missing door chains, then it may be worth your while getting a removable one made up. 2 feet of rope or chain, and 2 of the mountaineering clips will make a handy replacement to use. Just remember to take it off and pop it back in your cab when you're done.Professional Driver's Association UK Member
Owner of a threadbare gypsy soul.

Answer:

A common solution for that problem on this side of the pond is bungee cords. Never leave home without 'em.

Answer:

That's what I use.
-JHappy Dwellers Society
Company Driver Division

Answer:
ok, you want first solos drop, you got it. Picked up in Rural hall n.c. at an underware manufacturer, look the the right and who should be in the door three slots down? my trainer! Turns out shes going to the same place in atlanta for the first drop, she says, "race ya for dinner". We get to the drop location in atlanta about ten minutes apart, now i'm having to pay for dinner. Turns out that the docks we need to hit are covered and its dark, took her three pull ups to hit hers, took me twelve . She asked if i wanted help after she got in, I said i would love help, but since i was solo it may be better if i do it myself with no help, she agreed. After i got in the hole, we all realized that i forgot to open the doors first. So i pull up and open them and ace it back in. We go to leave she runs over two bushes trying to get out, i miss the yellow posts at the exit of the lot by mere inches but no harm no foul. She enjoyed the steak and we both enjoyed the laugh.
taylor