Stevens Transport Aviary . . cont'

Thanks... dispatch already called me, there are now two available at Walmart, getting ready to go grab one and head to Lexington... trailer already there loaded and waiting for me. Love those drop and hooks at the meat plants.

 

This is a long winded post, just letting you know.

As you guys know, I am at the school... actually supposed to graduate today, but instead of graduating I am off to Dallas East to take my skills test. The class sizes have been large to say the least. I came in with all my written out of the way and figured by the law of averages, I would have been one of the first groups to test, but instead, I am bringing up the rear. Snippy about it, but rather than dwell on it and get all salty and cranky about it, I just roll with it and focus on the goal.

And that is what I want to discuss.... attitude.

Guys and gals who are considering Stevens or who are about to start school here, this post is for you. If you have read either Aviary thread, you may already know this but it is worth saying a million times more... when you get to Stevens, leave your ego at home. Leave that sense of entitlement at home. Leave that attitude... at home. None of those things will benefit you here.

I came in knowing I knew nothing and expecting to be put into situations that would test my ability, test my patience, and test my nerves. As a result, nothing that came at me the past three weeks was a surprise. I didnt get upset when I couldnt back. I didnt get upset when my instructors spoke to me strenuously. I didnt get upset when I had to wait, and wait, and wait. It is part and parcel with the package you sign up for.

In my class there were those who thought they were going to go on the hill and awe and amaze everyone with their ability. They did not. There were those who felt the instructors could at least speak to us as adults and treat us with the respect we deserve for simply having survived beyond our teens. They got a wakeup call. There were those who seemed to consider the whole thing a big long social hour, and didnt learn and got held back and who were upset about it... but if you dont make progress you dont progress. Simple as that.

Leave your attitude at home. You may think Stevens needs you. They dont. Dont walk in with the attitude that you are doing them a favor, cuz you arent. You may think at some point that the trainer whos truck you will invade for 5 weeks NEEDS you. He/she doesnt. That trainer is a solo over the road truck driver. They can and often do drive 600+ miles per day. That is, to be completely frank, more than they will be driving with you in the truck per day... at least for the first few days til they can get the hot mess that is YOU sorted out.

Dont expect everyone to know your name. Hell, dont expect ANYONE to know your name, and do not expect anyone to be in any kind of hurry to find it out. Do not pass up any opportunity to shut your mouth and learn. Dont expect to be superstar trucker. Dont expect to drive a 2014 truck during training. I was doing serp and 45's in a 1989 Kenworth with no power steering, and was happy to have my behind in that ratty torn up seat. Dont expect to get it right, even when you get it right.

The school can be fun and educational. As one of the instructors stated, its easier to lock in information when you are enjoying yourself than it is when you arent. Before you get there, just have a big slice of humble pie and strap in, its a crazy ride.

 

You know what the blue and white triangle is on the back of Schneider vans is for? It's to let the Amish buggies know what side to pass on.

 

Very well written, articulate, to the point, and accurate. Clearly, you are an observer of the human condition. Well done.

 

Today is day 28 of my 5 weeks of training of OR1. I have all my miles , required mountains , and regions. Just need my days. Picking up a load in California and then off to Florida. 3000 mile run. Can't wait for OR2. Has been a learning experience.

 

Well dang it...I tried to avoid it but alas it was inevitable. Enjoying the scenery of Casa Grande AZ while on a reset. One must enjoy the wonderful sunshine and warmth, although my APU is no longer able to keep up with the heat outside (only 108 and its only 1300) beating down on this little ol black truck so I am slowly becoming well done. Praying that a planner takes mercy on me and gets me a load or a repower comes along unsuspectingly in the morning that way i can roll first thing in the morning before the heat hits again so I do not turn into shoe leather or start smelling like the air when they are burning heads at the meat patch. Beginning to think now it would have been better to fix that other drivers trailer LMAO. Hind sight is ALWAYS 2020. I did however find this on the WTF page on facebook, found it quite funny, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...566.1073741826.147132755485302&type=1&theater

 

Reset? What's that?

Having driven over 6300 miles in the last 14 days I am down to running overnight to use the hours from two days to get where I am going.

As a matter of fact I just redid my trip plan for about the 5th time.

I can make it to the reciever in Jersey Monday morning with about 4 hrs left to drive... out of the 7 I will start the day with. I am hoping I can make it into Connecticut on that so I only have a short run into Boston Tuesday morning.

11 hrs tomorrow
6hrs Sunday
7hrs Monday
10:45 Tuesday

Reset? What's a reset?

 

Yeah, I noticed the guys that ran their mouths were the ones that did the worst. One of the guys claimed he used to drive a truck and was always telling us what to do. He was horrible behind the wheel!!! The instructor made him stop in the middle of the road and get out of the drivers seat. the guy was scary! Last I heard he was the last of our class still there at Stevens.

 

Out of the 5 of us who went to Dallas East to test yesterday, 4 failed. Including me. I could list dozens of excuses for why, but the result matters, not the why of it. I could rant and cry and complain and vent about it (and I have, to the people who love me anyway) but the fail is still there. I could comfort myself with knowing that there are stellar drivers out there who failed their first skills course, just as there are terribad drivers out there who passed theirs with no issue.
Nevertheless, I test again Monday. This post is all I have to say about it. When I pass Monday, there will be cookies and confetti. Maybe even a baby duck.