Buckeye hauling Maverick Glass

Friday, Saturday and Sunday have been a flash with learning new type of securement, watching a video on it, putting it into action with hands-on time and testing on the new info. Friday we moved out to the Galloway Motel. It has a microwave, fridge and tv in the room but the storage and study options are a little more sparse. One other nice addition to the food plan is the motel has a continental breakfast. Cereal, danish, fruit, juice and coffee, but at least it's one less meal to pay for. We have the use of a Maverick van each day which is nice. I have volunteered to be the driver on a couple of occasions and used it at another time. It also has to be our shuttle in and out from class. One thing that has really been pushed in class is map reading. Make sure to become intimately familiar with the road carrier's atlas. Until tomorrow.

 

Thanks Jim. You make a good point on something I hadn't focused on. They do spend a good amount of time teaching maps and trip planning in the orientation and even into securement. I am fortunate in the fact that my dad traveled for a living and taught me about maps before I could even drive.

 

Today we finished securement. Our class was the first to have everyone pass on the first test. The drivers who had previous experience are ready to go and the flat-bedders found out who their trainer drivers are. They are waiting on a call from them to head out. As glass drivers we (4) will be heading out to Laurinberg, NC on Friday. We are all looking forward to a 26 hour bus ride (sarcasm). We have another 5 days of training to teach us about the different trailers and the various methods of securing and transporting glass. Then we will be assigned to our trainers. We did find out today that Maverick will ensure we are home for Thanksgiving. The glass guys will only be 2 weeks or so into our time with the trainer but will go home for the holiday then get back with the trainer to finish. We had a talk from the training director today concerning the "21 days of training". Statistics show that those who stay with their trainer longer, maybe another week or two, are much more likely to be successful driver. He urged us to only get out of the trainer truck when we knew we could handle one on our own. Good advice. Learn while you can. You are never going to know it all but be competent. Tomorrow the glass guys get more details.

 

Thanks Seawheeler. I look forward to it, and to meeting you one day. I am following your travels and would like to see more about where you are going, both with your trainer and now that you are on your own. Did you have much trouble picking up the routine? Did you stay with your trainer more than 3 weeks? Let me know more of what you did and are doing. Again, Thanks,

 

We have survived the adventurous 24 hour bus ride, even slept a little. We got into the motel and had breakfast then dozed until mid-day. We were leaving to walk around the area and ran into some other Mav drivers who offered the use of the van. So we checked out the nearby area for stores and restaurants. They have also confirmed the "different atmosphere" reports of this facility. We are looking forward to seeing for ourselves. Can anyone give usefulness and reliability of trucker GPS units like the Garmin DEZL 560LMT? We mostly have gotten good feedback but always like to get as much info as possible.