Another Watkins Shepard Thread

I am driving a Volvo. I am not sure how to manually run the fan, which I don't know if that would help.

I am off to a rough start, but the good thing is I get to spend some more time with my family. The truck is in the shop now, should be done tonight, something with the exhaust manifold, but I am going to just pick it up in the morning. One other positive thing was the shop in Missoula was very helpful and they set up my repair really fast for me being in Salt Lake. That is a good sign of a company that wants you moving.

I did slide the tandoms and that did help with my drive wheels, but it didn't touch the steers. I think the person who dropped off the trailer before didn't build the barrier far enough from the bulk head. But what can you do. I made it to the delivery.

I delivered to this warehouse that has only one dock and you have to back in from the street, which happens to be a pretty busy street at that. So I started to set my self up and was backing in when some ### hole honks his horn and I stopped thinking I was about to hit him. He was just being impatient. I wish I would have ran him over. So I had to go around the block to reset. Which turned out to be a better set up anyway, so I was able to back right in without to much trouble.

I am trying to put a positive spin to every thing that is not going so well. If I don't then I will be sitting home looking through the help wanted ads. I am not really ready to throw in the towel just yet. I tell ya it gets hard to say good bye to your wife and daughter though. That has to be the hardest part so far.

For those of you about to start the 10 day program, I would just say to practice whatever you are weakest at. The 30 day people, study your material and practice everything you can. There is so much to this job that they don't really tell you about in school. If you get a chance to ride with an experienced driver while going to pick up your truck, go with them to the delivery if you can. You will learn a lot from it. Ask a lot of experienced drivers questions while at the drivers lounge, most of them are happy to help. There are a few that will just complain, but most are pretty good.

Well I will update as soon as I can. Hopefully my truck will be fixed and I will be back on the road. Be Safe.

 

It must be with the auto shifts that are crappy. Mine just got done today. It was going to be finished around noon but when they went to start it they found another issue. So back to the shop it went. They finally fixed it but dispatch has already gone home so I won't be getting a load out tonight. More home time with the family.

My load was only 180lbs over on the steers, but was under total gross by 500lbs. So I guess I was fine.

My truck if fixed, at least as far as the Cummins service centers says it is. I want to get to the Missoula terminal to have the batteries check since my battery light is coming on every morning. But I need to get on the road and make some money. I hope to get rid of the auto shift soon though, I think I am starting to like it. I don't want to get to used to the auto shift and not be able to use a manual. That wouldn't be good for my career. Oh well, I guess I will wait and see what happens.

Good luck to you all in the 10 day and 30 day program. Just remeber to practice as much as you can. Be Safe.