DALLAS OC ...Turning into a Pumpkin!

Well, I just got home from my first week with my TE. Other than load pick up problems, everything went fine. I have been showerless for two days and going there (in my shower) now. I will try to report more detailed tomorrow. For now, I am going to enjoy the time with my family this evening. I will be back on the road early Monday for my second week, then I should, according to my TE, do my final SQT (driving and qualcomm test_ on Monday, June 14th in West Memphis.

Take care. BG.

 

Don't worry. My TE told me you will still be getting paid while you are waiting.

 

Okay, the low down on the week went like this:

Met TE in Clarksville, TN.
Rode to Morehead, KY and dropped a load. Spent the night here.
Went to Louisville, KY to pick up.
Drove to Atlanta OC and spent the night.
Went to Dublin, GA then returned to Atlanta OC.
Picked up load in Tucker, GA (suburb to Atlanta)
Drove to Hixson, TN (outside Chattanooga).
Went to Dalton, GA and spent the night.
Went to a small place outside Rome, Ga.
Drove to Clarksville, TN and home for the weekend.

These were short runs, but a lot of waiting at customers ate up most of the time.

I will head back out to meet my TE at his home Monday morning at 8:00 for our next adventure.

Last week went well as far as driving goes. I am gaining a lot more confidence in my driving, clutch control, speed control, etc. I am doing most all of the coupling/uncouplings. I am backing some, but not at 100%. Not because of intimidation, but he has his methodology of training and that is just part of his agenda. I am not questioning his teaching methods, just following his directions. One note on backing - I have found that being started on 48' trailers has not been good for me trying to back a 53' trailer. The pivots are different and reaction time is different. To any new drivers, get on a 53' trailer as fast as possible for practice.

Our delivery in Hixson, TN sure was a challenge. I had driven to the customer, a Sear's Outlet store in a strip mall. We barely had room to back in. My TE was instructing me, and according to him, I did everything exactly as he instructed, but it was just too tight for maneuvering. I tried for 45 minutes with his direction and finally the receiving manager came out and asked if he could help guide us. He had guided many in the past and thankfully the TE said yes and took over the controls of the truck. They got it in in ten minutes time. The store receiving manager had guided many trucks in and knew exactly at what points to line them up to swing the trailer around a pole and railing without hitting the retaining wall in front of the truck. The end result is the left back corner of the trailer against the dock door and the back of the trailer at a 45 degree angle to the dock door. Then we had to uncouple with the truck at a 90 degree angle to the trailer so that we did not block the alleyway. I asked the TE if this was normal and he said absolutely not, they should have sent a day cab or 48' trailer, but we should not have been sent to this location. He let his DBL know about that as well.

The downside has been a lot of waiting at shippers, or after delivery waiting for the next assignment. Also, I would highly recommend buying a clamp on 12V DC fan for that top bunk. It gets pretty stuffy up there and there is no built in fan for ventilation like in the bottom bunk. Also, bring your classroom text to reference for qualcomm communication.

That is all I can think of to report on for now. I probably wont post again until next weekend. My TE said that I will probably do my SQT in West Memphis on June 14th, so he will need to bring me back to pick up my car next weekend. He also said to not expect to get my truck exactly at that time. It may take a few days to two weeks, depending on availability.

 

Well, I am again enjoying time at home. I just got the call an hour ago scheduling my SQT. It is to be this Wednesday in West Memphis, AR. They told me on the phone that I should have a truck pretty fast after that. I am a little nervous for that test, but nothing unusual. I know my TE would not have passed me along if he didn't think I was ready.

This past week carried me up I-81 through VA into PA. We stayed at the OC in Carlisle, PA. At least they are enjoying Spring instead of Summer already like the South is experiencing. I got a lot of two lane mountain driving experience and have no problems downshifting on upgrades. Northwestern PA is beautiful and may be a place for consideration of a Summer home. I have no desire to be there in Winter, but it is a beautiful part of our country. Also, the Ozark area of MO is very pretty country. I have not been to either of these two areas, but I am looking forward to seeing more of the country in my travels.

The training my TE provided was excellent. He always answered my questions as thoroughly as he could. I was fortunate to have had him as a TE. We did not have a lot in common outside of Schneider, and that made for some untalkative driving time, but I learned a lot about driving and what it takes to do the job successfully.

I hope I do well on this next phase of the process.

 

I was on PA 22 for quite a few miles. Growing up in WV, switchbacks and mountain driving are not new to me, but driving that in a big truck gives a whole new meaning to pucker factor. I can downshift on an upgrade like nobody's business. I was scared to death I was going to miss a gear and have to stop going up hill. So the mountain shifting is not a problem now!!!

 

I passed SQT this past Wednesday in West Memphis, AR. The pre-trip, brake pump down, coupling/uncoupling, backing, and road test all went without any problems.

We had to do a two part trip plan exam on paper. That was a bit more of a challenge and time consuming. It was nothing undoable, but when you add the pressure of knowing it is an exam, it becomes a booger. I made it through the tests okay after much checking and rechecking. I am now scheduled to head back to West Memphis tomorrow. I have to take a class on the new e-log system Sunday morning. I should get to see my truck and get it loaded Saturday afternoon and then get a hotel with my wife Saturday evening. At least she will be there to help me carry things to the truck. (Secretly, I will be happy to have her there to spend time together, but she doesn't need to know that)

I am supposed to take my first load Monday morning. I am glad to get there two days early in case something is not kosher with the truck, such as no new mattress, too much trash left by last driver, needs tires, etc. I didn't realize how expensive it can get gathering needed items for the first truck, either. I still have not acquired all the tools I need, just what I can get away with for now. My truck number is a 37000 series number and I would assume that the truck has a few years on it - just as expected.

John Day,

When I asked what year Volvo it is, my DBL just laughed. Now what's up with that? I thought you already had me hooked up!!!