Running With Watkins & Shepard

I'm in good shape for hours buddy and I've already put in a "request" for another run West.....GOD I love this!! LOL

But I'd be honored to join you for a cup sir! Let me see how the day goes and I'll give you a call. It would be a BLAST to actually meet someone from this forum...LOL

The truck is starting to idle rough again. I have to go rev her up a bit now. I think it won't be too hot tonight to shut down and let her rest. Poor old girl! LOL

 

Hey biuddy, as you know I wrote down and cleared all the engine ECU codes before this leg right? Well sure enough, I got the "fuel supply pressure" too low and the "EGR too hot" codes again.

Yep, I'm thinling she needs a new fuel pump. I'm gonna call Dave in Dalton in the morning and see what I can get done about it.

 

I'm sure it is....

 

Top of the morning folks!

Ah yes, a good nights rest, a shower, shave and clean clothes, got some bills paid! Life is GOOD and I'm ready to hit the road again.

Ole Betsy was a bit stubburn on starting up this morning but she did kick over. What is it with women getting going in the morning anyway?? (kidding...kidding)

Anyway, it may be a few days before I can post again so I want to wish everyone a great week in case it takes a while to get back online.

 

Wow Chmopi, I don't know what to say man...thank you for the very (probably overly kind) words sir.

But in all honestly I'm making my share of newbie mistakes out here as well. Mostly the paperwork and Qualcomm stuff as I find "driving" to be the easy part.

But I haven't been without help either. Mike NC has really helped me with so much as far as that all "paper work" goes and has shared his experience with me which has helped me GREATLY!

I think it's not so much that I'm any better or worse than any other new driver. As Mike and I were discussing the other day, we came to the conclusion that I'm simply not afraid of it all. Which may actually address cagey53 question about the length of orientation. I really do thrive on a challenge and at the start I fumble and stumble like anyone else. I just hate to give in..... ......LOL

A good example of this is having to go into LA on a Friday night. When the dispatch come out I'd be lying if I said my palms didn't start sweating because of all I've heard about driving in LA all my life. But I took it as another challenge and off I went.....LOL

So Cagey, you have to dig deep inside and make that decision for yourself. (I can't stress enough the importance at that point to be HONEST with yourself) and not try to "talk yourself into something" you're not comfortable with. Clint said it best. "A man has got to know his limitations"

Once you do however, you have to STICK to it. When the doubts come along and trust me man, they sure did for me, you have to fight them off fast and get back to focusing on moving forward. At every single stage of this whole venture I've had to fight off self doubts and fears of..."Can I really do this?"

I had an advantage over most new drivers as I had a month out here so I already knew, and was prepared for the "lifestyle" of it all. I think that's such a HUGE part of it. I would encourage ANYONE who gets that chance to jump on it if they're thinking about driving OTR. This life is really nothing like anything you can "imagine" until you live it first hand. The ability to "do the job" is only 50% (maybe less) of it in my humble opinion. The "life" is 50% or more. I think a lot of folks who drop out do so more to the realization that the life just isn't for them. Long hours, varying sleep and work times, frustrations that come with the job, finding a place to park, time for laundry and shopping and of course, the simply CRAZY drivers everyday...LOL all make for a pretty interesting time for sure.....LOL

But I simply LOVE this and I'm both glad I decided to stick it out and grateful for the chance. Being able to pay some bills again knowing I have more coming in is worth it's weight in gold to me after so long of not being able to. I thank God everyday for that and much, MUCH more.....

 

Exactly!! Just like everything in life!