Have to start somewhere

We found a snake outside our apartment door Saturday night I don't know who was more scared us or the snake.Well it was all weekend 8 hours on the skills range the serpentine is still giving me fits but I am getting there.I drove a beat up Volvo range truck with slow to respond steering. I have been at this for fourteen days straight and I am ready for a weekend off I am pretty tired.I hope to get another road trip before Thursday.As far as pretrip goes I think I have that down.I guess it just a skills test and a driving test and wallah I am an out of work trucker with no experience.I better call maverick this week and see what they are doing with my application.Later

 

First all snakes are big.More range time this morning and a road trip this afternoon.I think this is starting to wear me down 15 days straight of working. Some of the guys are calling in sick but I cant do that I need every second of range time I can get. But a day off sure would be nice got to go meet my instructor for my road trip. Later

 

So we lost another one yesterday poor fellow had a heart attack. He is realy screwed but at least he still alive.On my road trip yesterday I got stuck behind a combine moving at 5 miles an hour and a big line of cars behind us talk about tense.I tried to drive it like my car that never works just 2 more days left here and I am ready to go.Just the same routine here now range time in the morning road trip in the afternoon.I called Maverick to remind them that I was up here but these fellows dont move to fast.post more later.

 

Ok people this is it all the tests road trips and 100 degree days on the range are done.I used every minute they gave me in a truck and all the studying and extra class that they offer.I encourage anyone who follows me to do the same

Allot of guys like to smoke and B.S. instead of driving.This is a tough gig and that trailer is long and it is the real deal.If you pay your own way forget about there being any recruiters here it doent happen you are on your own to find a job.

Fortunately have had my application accepted by Maverick so I will call them once I have my CDL.They dont seem very organized here so expect a few days in the begining just standing around.Then it is fast and furious until its over. The days start at 6am in the morning and end around 5 or 6 at night.

Regarding equipment it is pretty good considering they put around 1400 students a year beating the crap out of these trucks they hold up pretty well.

I hesitate to mention this but I will because it was said to me by an instuctor.I was born and raised in the Arizona desert they ask you that question alot. I had never been exposed to this

Here you are a southner or a yankee or from cala-dam-fornia so it was a new experience for me.The instructor told me cause I was from Arizona I was a nothing.I knew he was joking but people I cant help but feel that there is just a hint of truth to what he was saying.I understand that we are all different and where you are from makes you no better or worse than anyone else.I am not sure if he did. I only say this because it something you might want to think about before you pick a school if you are sensitive about all that.Wish me luck on my test I will try to get a good night sleep(doubtful) And hopefully I will have my cdl and be 50 dollars poorer next time I post. If not it will be 5 more days in Newport later

 

So this is it I passed.I cant beleive it is finaly over.Gashauler thanks for the good advice I am grateful for any knowledge that is shared with me and I will always try to remember.

I called Maverick they told me to report on the 9th of September so I think I will sleep in for a day or two.I got a bunch of stuff to take care of at the house before I go.Man I just cant believe I realy passed.We started out with 24 and finished with 17. We only had one fellow fail I guess he will stay five days and try again.

They made me do my pretrip on a range truck and it was beat to sh-- so alot of parts where missing I almost tanked my angeled docking but I managed to do a pullup, god love those pullup and bail myself out.They dont let you get out and look around which seems realy dumb to me because god knows I would get out and look.

In summary sharing an apartment with four strangers wasnt to bad they are good people just trying to get by just like me.It is worth the money to pay your own way if you can. I pack up my stuff at their apartments tonight.Pick up my license in the morning and hit the road.I am sure the kids will be celebrating tonight. I will keep you posted as this goes on if you want .Guys be safe outhere this has been a blast and I am a little sad it is over but I am glad to be going home.Talk to you later