Class starting 09/17/2013

Well, now on day five of PSD. Have been to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Tennessee, and Mississippi tomorrow. I haven't been able to get all the backing experiences, but dang this instructor is da bomb. I only hope that one day I can back up like him. Today we've spent the day with a load in his home relaxing until drop off tomorrow. Have spoken to several classmates and all appears to be going fine for them. Word has it that one dropped out two hours outside of Springmo on some two lane road. Decided it was not for him/her.

As a newbie, I continue to be impressed with Prime and their treatment. I hope I'm not being naive. I've even been able to point out some fuel saving techniques to the trainer, who happens to have a bit of a heavy foot. I've been able to have averages of 8.13 NJ to WV, 7.33 WV to IL, and 7.41 IL to TN. For me, its about minimizing the largest cost. Even though I drove a stick bus, I'm still having problems upshifting out of the lower gears. I keep wanting to give it more RPM than necessary. Downshifting hasn't been a problem.

Last night got my first experience of Lot Lizards. Uffff. Pass on that lifestyle! To be continued....

 

Its been almost two weeks. I've been to the East Coast twice now, and midwest twice. Apparently this is a slow weekend in the South: we're just outside of Atlanta. I've got 63 hours now, and doing alley docks at night, as well as the day. No complaints as I continue on this. My classmates are still continuing as well. I hope to see them next weeks

 

Trifected this morning! Woohoo! !!!!! Bonus for me and bonus for instructor!

 

Weeeewwwww.

Home for Thanksgiving week. I haven't posted since 10/20/13 so here goes it....

After I trifected, Driver Line Up sent us out to the east coast, back to Indiana, up to Romulus, over to Durham, west to Cheyenne, back to Ohio, up to the Upper Peninsula, over to Tragic City and down to Dallas, back to Newark, west to Seattle, east to New Jersey, a short hop to Pittsburgh, dh to Columbus then to Dallas, Center TX to Phoenix. Now on Home Time; 19,235 miles in less than a month; a bit under 11,000 to go to upgrade. Trainer will pick me up when he is out here again, maybe in 7-10 days (not a bad idea to have a trainer who doesn't live next door)

Trainer has been great. He has had no problem sharing his knowledge, expertise, insight, nor bunk with this guy. I've seen other trainers for the remaining 7 out of our group that force night driving, upper bunk sleeping, no musical choice, poor shower selection, forget laundry. I'd say that I got the best of everyone. Note to trainers: students talk too. No secrets here. Yes 7 of us are remaining, out of a class of 61 people. I guess we are the diehards. Interesting in that no one has seen hide nor hair of the 5 women who started PSD; only one apparently made it to TNT.

Have traveled the Alleghany, Appalachian, Rocky Mountains, Cabbage Patch several times now in high wind, rain, sleet, and snow. I no longer rely on the jake brake and 9th gear. Learned the lesson the coming down I-64 east of Charleston. Got behind a CR England and I let him walk me down the hill in 7th gear and jake. Never had to touch the brakes, no smoke or flames were present, and trainer never woke up. Good thing I suppose.

Pay has been everything that Prime has promised with no surprises, including 2nd stop, layover, per diem. The trainer has let me see his settlement statements for his lease. I'm leaning towards leasing, and have approached several of my classmates about teaming at least till the end of february...