Hi, I'm Snazzy and I'm Trucker

Snazzy, What year is it? as life goes on. Im guessing it's still the 90's? I dont think training is worth the money.

 

Yep Pj, into the fire and I see that Sassy furnished us a nice picture. We're around Feb,1995 Sandlapper and averaging 8,000 miles per week at 21 cents I grossed about $ 1,680 weekly. Trust me, when you add in inflation, I was doing pretty good back then, compared to now. Anyway, Snazzy points to all, as Life Goes On.

Ring, ring, " This is Ed. "

I jumped right in, " Where do you find these people ? That guy Tom can't even speak English ! How is suppose to learn anything ? How did he pass his CDL test ? Man ! "

Ed was Ed, " Barney ? What do you mean ? He's sponsored by the State and passed all of the requirements. That's a Federal program and their pretty strict on giving out those work visas. "

I scratched my head, " Work visas ? You mean he's not even a US citizen and is working here legally ? I can't believe that ! "

Ed educated me, " It's a Federal program that allows immigrants to come over here if they have experience in certain fields. You know, like in the medical field, teachers, and such. They're expanding that program to help us get qualified drivers. "

I lit up a 100, " So, he comes over here and takes jobs away from ..."

Ed cut me off, " No ! The fact is we can't get enough qualified drivers here. That's why the State Department is trying this. It's a good deal Barney ! Drivers like Tom get a chance to become US citizens and help the industry keep up with our demands. It's a win, win ! "

I thought about it, " I thought one of the requirements was that you had to be a US citizen and speak English ? What happened to that ? "

Ed laughed, " That's what it's all about ! He only has to work here for a certain number of years and gets his citizenship. As far as his English goes, maybe he's pulling your leg. He spoke it well enough to qualify and pass all ...."

I blew smoke, " No Ed ! He knows enough to fake it, but trust me..."

Ed was Ed, " So now your an English professor ? Well Professor Goose, if he doesn't meet your high standards. I suggest you that you teach him the proper Queen's English. Oh, by the way. I have some paperwork to fax you and make sure that Tom signs it. You can trip pack it back to me, but .."

I was me, " Don't tell me ! It's his US citizenship and your going to have me deported ! "

Ed laughed, " Hell no ! You know how to drive, so your safe. I sure wish that I could deport some of these eggheads. I had a student last night that slid down IH 80 and shut down half of the West coast. Anyway, check at the fuel desk and have Tom sign that fax and get it back to me. "

So, I did. Yep, ole Tom could speak some broken English and really was a good driver. He sure beat the other students that I'd had. Now, I had mixed feelings about things. You know, I hated our government bringing in folks that took jobs away from our citizens. But on the other hand, it did keep the seats filled with experienced hands. You know, which was worse ? Had you rather have Tom coming at you with his broken English, or someone like Tyrone who couldn't drive ? What a deal ! Anyway, I discovered that Tom was from South America and was 30 years old. He'd been driving since he was 14 and came from a family of truckers. Yep, he knew the trade well and was really likable. He was eager and went out of his way to go the extra miles. I was impressed and kind of enjoyed his company. The hardest part for Tom was fitting in. You know how a lot of folks dislike others, just because they're different. Well, Tom didn't realize that he'd be an outcast and have to conform. You know, other drivers, shippers, waitresses, and such. They'd really cooled their heels once Tom opened his mouth. Yep, we learned it was best for me to do most of the talking. Now, Tom did study every chance he got. He had several books and study guides that he worked hard at.

Well, the two weeks passed by and Tom did just fine. We didn't have any major problems. Well, Tom did have a hard time with map reading and with the paperwork. He was able to understand most of the traffic signs and I'd help out when I could. Yep, ole Tom was alright in my book. I mean, I'm sure that there were plenty of qualified drivers right here in the USA. But, hiring them on at slave wages and keeping them was a different story.

I sat in Ed's office as he gloated, " I told you Barney ! That Tom is a hard worker. Ya'll did good ! What did it take you ? Two weeks to ..."

I piped up, " Hell ! We had his 8,000 miles done in ten days. If dispatch could of gotten us a load back sooner..."

Ed smiled, " So, what do you think ? "

I was honest, " Ed ! Here's my problem ! Did you know that Tom got $5,000 of our tax money to come over here ? That's on top of his free airfare, a months paid for orientation to help him adjust, and then that agency even paid for a driving school ! "

Ed nodded, " So ? The government paid for it. What's your point ? "

I gave Ed the look, " Well ! If they pay for all of that ! Why don't they just subsidize our own. You know ! Why not spend that money here and I bet there wouldn't be a driver shortage. "

Ed handed me a stack of papers, " Look at those ! Their all rejects and most of them can't even pass a #### drug test ! We were thinking about starting a recruitment program that would reward the students that stay with us a year. Hell ! What good would it do ? These Idiots had rather job hop and screw off than work. It's a fact Barney ! "

I tried again, " If someone had offered me $ 5,000, free schooling, and subsidized my paycheck for 3 years ! I'd of quit that police department and gone trucking. I can't believe that we have to import ..."

Ed gave me the look, " Well ! You better believe we do ! Mark my words ! If something doesn't change soon, we'll have nothing but Toms ! Just do the math. It cost around $ 4,000 to have an Idiot here trained and then all that happens is they quit. We're not any different than the other outfits. You just can't get good help now a days ! "

I made my point, " Not for a nickel per mile ! Gees Ed ! Ya'll want to blame the new hires, but won't pay them eating wages. You can't blame them for jumping ship ! Those #### recruiters have them thinking that they're going to making the big bucks. They leave out the part about it takes over a year to make a decent wage driving ! "

Ed countered, " Well, your doing pretty good ! You started out here with no more than that ! What's the difference ? I mean if you can do it ? "

I reminded him, " Ed ! I owned two trucks, before I ever heard of TLX ! To be honest, I never dreamed that trucking would ever turn into a slave racket. It's not the only new hires that get hurt ! What about their families ? "

Ed laughed, " Look at who you trained ! That Idiot Victor, Shane, the other one, uh, Tyrone ! Those Idiots don't have families and they're the type that trucking attracts. Most of your decent workers wouldn't even consider going over the road ! Why should we pay fools ? "

I rested my case, " Ya'll want to blame it on the students and then not pay enough to attract better ones. It's catch-22 ! Something is going to have to give, or your right. All that will be left are a bunch of foreign speaking truckers. What a deal ! "

Ed had to ask, " Where is Tom ? "

I grinned, " I dropped him off at the Layover Club. He's going to spend his days off with me and I'm going to show him around. "

So, that's what we did. Yep, Tom and I painted the town and partied like no tomorrow. Julie managed to interpret for us. Yep, we each learned what all we thought the other one had said on the road. What a deal, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

After my three days off I parked my Datsun and sashayed into Ed's office. He was on his cell phone as usual and talking on is desk phone at the same time. What a deal ! I took a seat and waited.

Ed got off his phones, " So Barney, how are they hanging ? "

I lit up a 100, " They're still there, the last time I checked. "

Ed was being too friendly, " That's good ! Here, that's to that FLD parked in front of the shop. I tried to get you a new unit, but that one only has 100k and not even broken in yet. "

I tried not to act disappointed, " Are we getting any more new ones in ? "

Ed nodded, " As soon as we can get them in. We ordered over a hundred, but they can't make em' fast enough. Oh ! Your student is in the drivers break room. I'll see when you get back. "

I had to ask,"Don't tell me! Ex-con? Drug abuser? No speaky da Engish?"

Ed avoided my question, " I've got to call over at the shop ! Have a good one and I'll see you later. "

So, I sashayed over to the break room and greeted him.

I stuck out my paw, " I'm Barney Goose ! Glad to meet you. "

He stood up, " I'm Gorrest Fump ! My friends call me James. Are you going to be my trainer ? "

I nose nodded towards the door, " Let's get our gear loaded up and see what dispatch has for us. "

So, we did. Yep, James was going to be a challenge. He stood over 6', was thin, in his late 20's, had a real ruddy complexion, had black unwashed hair, yellow teeth, crossed hazel eyes, and stunk. What a deal !

I barked my orders, " Go ahead and unpack and I'll be right back. Hey, why don't you do us a pretrip inspection. I don't trust the shop ! They screw up more than they fix. "

James was on the ball, " They put it on ! See, right there on the windshield. That's where it goes ! My car is the same way. "

I smiled, " No ! Don't do a state inspection ! I mean a pretrip inspection. You know ! Like they taught you in school ! "

James gave me a dumb look, " I don't remember how much air is suppose to leak out. Is it 15 lbs ? "

I scratched my head, " Just raise the hood and check around. Make sure her oil is ok and .. Well, you know ! "

So, I sashayed away and checked with dispatch, did number one, bought myself a coke and returned. James was trying to poke his long fingers inside the grill.

I had to ask, " What's the problem ? "

James shrugged his shoulders. " I can't find the hood latch. "

I couldn't believe it, " It's those rubber straps there ! "

James's crossed eyes lit up, " That's right ! It's my car that has the hood latch. You know, some of them have a lever inside that you pull. "

I helped pull the hood open, " This is the oil dipstick ! It can tell you if she needs oil ! See there ? Her oil is ok ! You need to pull on the belts and make sure they're tight. Look for leaks and check all of her fluids. "

James pulled out a cheat sheet, " I remember now ! See ! I can go by this list and check off everything as I go. See ! "

I rolled my twitching eye, " Peachy ! Say, James ? They did give you a CDL and you passed that test. Right ? "

James had to show me, " It's right here Mr, Mr, Mr, ? "

I reminded him, " Goose ! Barney Goose ! You can call me Barney. Now, James we need to get a few rules straightened out. I'm God ! You don't have a chance in hell of getting through the next three weeks. Unless ! You have to listen up and do as I say ! Now, I can be a real nice guy, or one SOB! You don't want to get on my poor side ! So, listen up and do as your told ! Do I make myself clear ? "

James pulled his long slender finger out of his nose, " Look at that ! It must be the dust out here. Hey ! Is that a diesel motor ? "

So, I marched back into Ed's office, " Ed ! What's the deal with this guy ? He acts like he's not all there ! "

Ed was Ed, " He's just fine ! They said that he's a little slow, but you can train him. I know that he's getting the best trainer we have ! "

I knew better, " Cut the crap Ed ! Now, what's the deal ? "

Ed confessed, " He's sponsored by the Texas MHR and his councilor is a real fine lady. She got him released to attend that driving school and he did just fine. He's just a little slow is all "

I sat down, " MHR ? You mean, the Texas, Mental Health and Retardation Agency ? Gees, Ed ! What's next ? The criminally insane ! "

Ed soothed my ruffled feathers, " He's fine and doesn't have to be on his medication any longer. He passed his CDL school and his DOT physical. He's ready to roll and you won't have any problems. "

I gave Ed the look, " That's easy for you to say ! You'll be here all safe and sound, while I'm stuck with that Idiot ! You know, he couldn't even figure out how to raise the hood ! What school did he go to ? You sure that it was a truck driving school ? "

Ed laughed, " Just give him a chance ! You thought that Tom was going to be a problem. Remember ? Hey look ! If you have any problems just call this number. She'll be able to advise you what to do. Her name is ...."

I stood up, " Nope ! I'm not training a retard ! You can get someone else, or train him yourself ! This is crazy ! "

Ed bribed me, " Alright, I'll raise you another penny per mile. Now that's 22 cents. I don't have a trainer here making that much unless they've been here a year ! Think about it ! That's another $80.00 per week ! "

I thought about it, " On one condition ! If he is more than I can handle, you'll get me back here ! "

So, Ed gave his word and I set sail with the nut. Now, I had mixed feelings about nut cases. You know, I'd been one myself and sure knew how the system worked. Maybe, ole James was just a little slow. Heck, you can't expect everyone to be as smart as we are. Yep, let's give ole James a chance and see how he does. What a deal, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Ya know, if you look at the sky when your on the farris wheel you get real dizzy......to much time on the farris wheel

 

Oh Snazzy ,you're just too easy. Gonna have to draw the line sooner or later. Good luck with James.:smt117:smt120:smt064

 

Well Snazzy, it has been a while since I got all caught up on the tales.
I got that de-icer delivered and a bunch of oil pumped into ships and all.

Hope James doesn't drive you too crazy!

Keep the good writing coming and I will let you know that I am still here later.

 

Your students are like a box of chocolates...you never know what you are going to get!

 

Yep Pj, Duker, and Joe ole James was a challenge alright. I see that Sassy posted the perfect picture, so Snazzy points all around, as Life Goes On.

I headed East, keeping one eye on the road and the other on the nut. James was very childlike and sat like a basset hound out for a Sunday ride. Yep, he had his window down, his head stuck out, and was slobbering. I stayed in the slow lane to keep other motorist from getting a good laugh. It was around noon, as I pulled the yellow knob, and parked next to the fuel pumps.

I drew a line, " James ! Go ahead and mark yourself off duty. You can watch and see what I do. After I fuel up, we can get us a bite. "

James reached for my book, " What do I do ? "

I gave James the look, " Not my book ! Take your logbook and draw a line from sleeper, to off duty. See, I don't want you to use any of your hours yet. That way we can save them for later. "

James gave me a blank stare, " I thought we were a team ? Don't teams share a logbook ? "

I shook my head, " No ! I keep one and you keep one. Now, both books have to jive ! If my book shows me driving, then your book should show you in the sleeper. Uh ? Didn't they teach you how to log in that school ? "

James tried to remember, " They went over some of it, but I never was able to understand. Oh man ! "

I had to ask, " James, what are you doing ? "

James sat on the bottom bunk rocking back and forth, " I had to get back here ! My book says that I'm still in the sleeper ! I can't come out for fifteen more minutes ! "

Both of my eyes twitched, " James ! Sit back up here ! Let me see that ! See what I'm doing ? Now, your off duty and I'll take care of the logbooks. You'll need to see how I do this and try to follow along. "

Yep, ole James thought that if he drew a line that meant he had to do what the book said. Gees ! Anyway, I fueled up, parked, and bought our buffet lunch. James got up from our table about a half dozen times, before I realized what he was doing. Yep, he thought that you could only get one item at a time. So, he'd spoon a helping of potatoes, eat that, and go back to the buffet. Then he'd spoon out some corn and sit back down.

I'd seen enough, " James ! You can help yourself to whatever you want and put it all on one plate. You don't have to keep going back up there. "

James slapped his forehead, " I know that ! What am I doing ? Sometimes I get mixed up and forget. "

I grinned. " Look James ! Just settle down and think about what your doing. You can see what everyone else does. Just, follow along and do as they do. Now, tell me something. How did you end up in this program ? "

James shocked me, " I use to be normal, until the accident. I was at a party with some friends of mine. "

I waited, " Well ? What happened ? You were at a party and something happened ! What was it ? "

James went blank, " Oh ! My accident ? You know about that ? "

I rubbed my face, " No ! You were telling me ! "

James remembered, " Oh ! The gun went off and I had to go to the hospital. They didn't think I was going to live. I was in a coma for a long time. They put me in a State hospital and I had to learn all over again. "

I got it, " I see ! So, you got that head injury from being accidentally shot. How long ago was that ? "

James had to ask, " What year is it now ? "

Yep, ole James got confused a lot. I really did feel sorry for him. You know, what happened to him, could happen to any of us. I really didn't know what to do. There weren't a lot of options. I mean, I was being paid to train him to drive a big rig. Now, no one had asked me how I felt about it. You know, it really wasn't my job to pick and choose who was selected. Yep, all my job was, was to train them if I could. So, I decided to give it a try. I mean, it wasn't like that I had to pass him. Yep, I could just do my best and see what happens. So, that's what I decided to do.

I sat in the shotgun seat, " Go ahead and buckle up. Now, listen to me ! Don't get in a hurry and think about what your doing. Get that seat the way you like it and adjust those mirrors. Now, I want you to pull out that exit there and turn left. At that light you'll need to make a right and take that access road to the freeway. You'll have to merge in and watch for the other traffic. Think you can do that ? "

James did ! Yep, that James wasn't a bad driver at all. Really ! He scratched a couple of gears and made a few rookie mistakes. But, overall he wasn't any worse than any of my other students. Yep, I was shocked ! Anyway, I sat there the whole five hours watching every move that he made. When my turn came I buttered him up.

I pushed in the knob, " You did real good James ! Now, I'm going to drive and you'll need to bunk down. Try to get some sleep and I'll wake you up later. "

James disappeared behind the sleeper curtain, as I hammered down. Yep, we'll make a driver out ole James sure enough. He was just a little slow, like Ed said. Yep, I might have to spend a little extra time and effort. Buy hey, that was my job, as Life Goes On.

Nighty night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Sounds like a good start of something.....or is it ?