Broke Down 69...The Adventure Continues

Been out of the loop a couple days...

BD, I hope you recover quickly. Known a couple guys whose Achilles tore (partial and like yours) and it can be a rough recovery. But if you follow doctors' orders and follow through with the physical therapy, you'll be falling off loads again in no time.

As for me, I'm hitting load securement in the morning. Been doing well on the backing lot, and with the driving instructors on the road. Trainer today decided I'm doing well enough that he was gonna teach me real lessons. "Go to that truck dealer and pick up the guy you were supposed to" as I'm driving over that overpass. "You missed your delivery going to pick that guy up, where you spending the night to deliver in the morning?" Just telling me a road and a direction to go on it and letting me read the signs. Took me to some small truck stops and gas stations to teach backing into parking spots with next to no room to maneuver. Fun times. Learned a lot.

 

Sounds like the orientation and training is goin well. Good deal for sure. Are they going to have you run with a road driver trainer?

 

Wednesday I take my actual CDL test (in their CDL accelerated program). Then next Friday I SHOULD be going home for a week to take care of picking up my license at the DMV. After that I go on the road with a driver trainer for 5 weeks, then return to Des Moines for my final road test and some more advanced backing maneuvers. After that I'll be issued my own truck.

 

How many backing maneuvers are done with a flat bed? I always thought most guys go into flat bedding because they're afraid of backing and prefer to pull straight through at places

 

Common misconception. Most of us do it because we can't get used to the taste of our windows.

 

My window taste good, I keep it nice and clean

 

Company test out has do a 45 degree back in between two trailers, and a few other things. I don't make the rules, I just play the game.

And, on a personal note, enjoy the taste of the windows...

 

Yes, I'm completely suited for window licking and slamming my trailer doors.

Although, I must admit it does get a little tough when I have to look up and make sure the doors latched properly upon closing though

 

Hey scooter, you know, you have a very dangerous job. In some way i guess we all do. Then you as an O/O have much more of an opportunity to really have things go sideways should an injury occur. You could get a blister on your transmission button finger and not be able to shift the truck. Then what do you do.