And so my new Stevens adventure begins!

Been on the trainer truck since Saturday and its been great time. My trainer is a good guy who has been extremely helpful. Fortunately the good training I received in Colorado prepared me well and the transition onto the road has been smooth. He has let me take the wheel and go do the job which is exactly what I was hoping for. I understand I can learn some by observing but trial by fire is the way to make it stick. We've been busy since the get go and aren't slowing down anytime soon.

 

Well guys....the weather has allowed me some time for an update. Been working hard for the last few days so I haven't had much time to get online at all and post anything. Here is a list of things that I have learned in the last 3-4 days.

Wyoming - Interesting place as long as you are abominable...We arrived and it was -22 made it down to -40 overnight and it was sold cold that of course while the anti-gel in the tanks kept them ok...the fuel filter froze up about 80% which required a road rescue and a very cold, tiring, lesson learned.

Utah - Not a bad state to drive across really. Some nice views with enough snow to cover the ground but not interfere with the road.

Nevada - Greed can be your enemy. While on weather shutdown I put $5 in the pokie machine...won $40 but then lost it all again. Fortunately, that $5 didn't break the bank I am can walk away without wondering what could have been....lol.

Showers - I really appreciate them more now that I ever did before. I used to enjoy nice long warm showers everyday and didn't think twice about it. Now when I take one its amazing just how refreshing it can be. Also, we have utilized the Pilot's and Loves primarily and other then one cold shower I have no complaints about the facilities at all.

Well we will continue our weather shutdown here in Fernley, NV waiting for Donner Pass to open up to trucks.

 

Hello All,

Been a week or so since my last update. My apologies but as you can imagine I have been a little busy.

There have been some changes since I last checked in. My trainer had his lease expire so we routed back to the yard so I could get on board with a new one to finish up my training. We arrived late Wednesday afternoon and they arranged for me to catch a flight to El Paso early the next morning to meet up with a new one. So I I got to play the flying game with me gear again. In the end I made it with no issues.

We have been running hard since the beginning. Apparently the truck training cycle goes like this.

If you think if it in hours the truck can run instead of drivers here is the breakdown. With a student in Week 1&2 the truck can run for 15 hrs a day with mandatory 8 hrs parked. Weeks 3&4 17hrs a day and week 5 19 hrs a day. When maximizing the run time these can be some pretty long days because as a student generally your either driving or in the passenger seat because you can't hang out on the top bunk. Granted if its really early or really late the trainer will allow you to put your sleeping bag on his bunk for a few hours. As the trainer develops confidence in your abilities they tend to give you a tiny bit more freedom to just go.

As far as meeting my training requirements I don't think the 8500 miles is a problem at all. I have run a few mountains so far but only been heavy enough once for it to count. The rest have just been practice. Also, the only region I need is the NE and have about 2+ weeks to get it.

In my short time I have been able to observe a wide spectrum of people and their behavior. It is east to quickly identify those traits that fall in line with your personal standards and goals that you appreciate and those that can only need be tolerated and dismissed.

Alright ....back to it. I will add more later.

 

Funny I have had exactly one person spend 10 min passing out fliers about lease purchase. I wouldn't exactly call that pressuring me. I have been subject to tests, exams, and a strict training requirement though which is what I expected.

 

Heya ,

It's moving along. I won't say it hasn't been without its ups and downs but nothing ever really is. The fact is that in a week I will be back on the yard ready to start OR2 on 6 Jan.

We have been running pretty consistently every day. East to West and back again. I have to knock out my last mountain and should be able to get that done today. I have driven over alot but have been to light most of the time.

In retrospect has anything shocked me...no. Has anything been not like I expected?...not really. Have I bit my toungue?...on occasion. Would I do it again?...yes because its a means to an end to get me where I wanna go.