Running With Watkins & Shepard

WS is merely a company name. I try to never forget the "people" that make up that company and thus, make it all run. So it's the "people" I treat with the individual respect they deserve. And yes, in turn, they treat me well.

It's easy (in fact in large part, human nature) to begin seeing companies as some large "thing" instead of the individual people (Team) that makes it up.

Like the good book says, "treat others as you would have them treat you". There's a reason for that.......

 

Hey buddy! Thank you sir, I am enjoying being with my family and friends. I hope your holiday is as warm and comforting as mine has been. Any "little additions" to the group yet?

I'm glad you mentioned taking the load because I forgot to mention in my post the fact that, as nervous as I was about making it home on time, I thanked dispatch on my way back from TX for that load as it gave me an additional 2300 miles before the holidays! Perhaps it was a touch of luck but as it worked out, it was a win win situation for sure.

Nope, I keep a close eye in the sky (just as I have for all my building years) and I've become fairly good at tracking the weather. I think I wrote this back when I did the run but, when I left MT for PA, I actually delayed my run by only driving 6 hours the first day. I wanted the blizzard that was coming through SD to get there well ahead of me. This meant two things, I wouldn't be driving right into it and they'd have the chance to clean things up a bit before I got there.

The "not driving into it" part worked out well. The "clean up before I got there"?? ....not so much....LOL But simply backing it down and keeping a common sense pace kept me both safe and on schedule.

I have no problem (and have done so already), either re-routing myself or delaying the run to avoid bad weather as best I can. Even if it means the load will be late in the end. I haven't been late yet but obviously, late is better than never and safety for the rig, freight, myself and all those around me RULES! Always has, Always will.

I remember back when going through orientation in NC in August, chuckling over the class schedule section that said "winter driving". I couldn't help but wonder how in the world they could teach that.....LOL

Now I know. Throw you in a truck and see how you do....

I also remember being very concerned about not having any clue as to how these big trucks handle in bad weather. While I have MUCH to experience and learn yet, I've faced quite a bit very quickly and now have at least a sense of what to expect.

 

LOL...I was going to reply to your comment about disappearing but you've tackled it quite nicely. Still wish I knew what's up with ORG though. I haven't heard a word back from him. I see he's posted a bit again on his thread. I'm starting to wonder if he's mad at me for something??

I am sorry that my posting takes a back seat to rebuilding my life but that's pretty much the way it has to be for now. Once I get far enough ahead, I'll try to post more often. At first I thought it was "just" my lack of Internet access out there. But now I know it's also how hard I'm pushing right now to get back on top of life. I now realize that even if I had 24/7 access, I probably wouldn't be posting "that" much more.

Once I focus on a goal and get my teeth into it, not much else gets in the way. But it's funny because I really do miss interacting with all of you as much as I did when going through school, the app process and orientation.

So thanks for being patient and I'll try to get on-line a little more in the future.