Running With Watkins & Shepard

There's no doubt that he's got a lot on his plate with the road trip and getting his truck assignment. If I was in his place, I'd want a day or two so I could get things squared away on the tractor.

But if he's down for a couple of days, and has internet access, he'll give us some great info.

 

Go Bills!!!..

If he's not beat from the trip we might hear something. But I think we may have to wait a day before we see a post. Things are moving pretty fast for him right now, and there may be other issues that take priority. He'll be OK.

Yeah, Bills Bowl 1 of 4, 60 people in my house watching the game (Fairfield County, CT, Giant territory). Bills score, 1 person cheers, 59 stare.

 

got to meet up with another grad last night, he ran hard with us through the night to get his delivery done. Good guy, his name was Tim. He was running like hes done this for months already. I wish him luck.

 

Yeah I agree Wedge but knowing Chris he is going to want to post all about his truck as soon as he can! Big kid in candy store!!!

Okay on the Bills....sigh.....sigh.....sigh.....read my Bill's blog some day...sigh.....it's just too sad to even think about. Predictions this year are the Bills to go way <500 lucky if they win 5 or 6 games. ALL the games are one o'clock games too. They sux. Need a QB Trent Edwards was okay but he got his head batted around too many times now.....
Bills fans cry at Superbowl parties ''it's up it's got the distance it's it's it's WIDE RIGHT!!!!!'' I didn't move for at least 10 minutes that day.

 

I read your blog. That's how I found out you're a Bills fan. If the ref had moved his butt 2 plays before the kick, the Bills would've got off 1 more play, maybe pick up a few extra yards, and then the FG attempt would have been a chip shot. I say it was fixed.

Whew! Got that out of my system.

Chris won't want to get out of the truck!! He'll be anxious to get going. He's running low on cash, and he needs to work his way home to pick up his stuff. But I really would like to get that first impression.

 

I read your blog and enjoyed it thoroughly. Nicely detailed account of your time with W/S.

 

Thanks Wedge! Yeah I agree what you said about Chris- I would have thought if he could have posted he would have by now. He's pretty stoked about this and was proud that he finished his training up in 7 days vs the 10 days. He really does need to get home soon to get his stuff, clothes etc and hopefully asks his DM or dispatcher to get him a load that way soon. We will hear soon enough, but like with ORG, this is like our 'daily fix on the crack forum' and I want to know what's up and how Chris is doing!!!

I'm still gonna go back to this (Chris don't kick my butt!! LOL!!) shiny key in his hand is gonna blow his mind for awhile! Sitting up in the rig all by himself- sheet- his grin is so big his cheeks will hurt for days!!!!!!


Oh yeah the Bills- thanks for reading my blog hope you got a chuckle! not sure if it was fixed or not???? Just bites that the likes of Jim Kelly and crew never got rings! At least most of the 90's guys are now in the FHOF.

 

And a hearty AMEN to that !!

Along with the hand-truck, a good GPS or mapping program for your lap top will be needed to find some of the obscure little furniture outlets you be getting on the multi-stop loads from SFS.

 

Don't know what "storage box area" you are talking about. If it's the side boxes built into the cab, they aren't big enough. Sometimes if you get a load that hasn't been sealed, you can stash your hand truck in there while you are doing that particular load, but when you're finished, you need a place to put it again so it doesn't get left with the trailer when you drop it at a yard. I've used bungee cords to attatch mine to the back of my cab, standing on the catwalk. I went to Home Depot and bought a 2 foot length of chain and chain and padlock it to the truck so it doesn't "walk" while at a TS...

I use Google maps on almost a daily basis. On every pick up and delivery, I've looked at the address closely to see how I want to make my approach, and make notes on the sheet I keep for each load. I even use the street view to see what the building looks like from the street. It has been a big help, although when they say addresses are approximate, they mean it! I've seen them be a block off....it's one of those things that the more you do it, the more "sixth sense" you get about things. I use my atlas, my Cobra 7700 Pro GPS (specifically for truckers), and google maps all as tools. If they still don't help, I call the customer and ask for directions, but be wary of that, they don't always know the safe and legal ways for a truck to get to their place of business. Try to ask for the shipping/receiving department, they usually will know how to get a truck there....

Can't wait to hear from Chris and see how he's doing out there so far. I remember how I felt when I was where he is now. It can be a little overwhelming knowing you are going out there alone and have to do what they trained you to do. I was given numbers of drivers I had met while I was in Missoula, and used them as necessary, and now I do the same thing..

 

I use the "fixed" excuse to somehow justify the loss. One thing no one can deny: They were in the bowl 4 straight years, which means in those years, they were the team to beat if you wanted to be the best. I'm still proud of them after all these years.

While I'm waiting for the Bills comeback, I'm watching Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. My daughter went to Boston College with Matt, so I guess I have a vested interest in their progress.

Sorry Chris!! didn't mean to hi-jack. I'm suffering from a need to knowism.