Class starting 25 Oct 11

Time for a little update. We have endured high (60mph) winds with an empty trailer last week, as well as a DEF injector clog. The loads keep us rolling and my trainee Joe (not his real name) has 25800 miles under his belt with me. If you read previous posts, you will see the tasks that I have focused on during his training. these last two weeks will be focused on trip planning, fuel estimating, and HOS awareness of the 70 clock. Joe is getting good at backing and driving, and will be well prepared when he completes his training. I am sure that he will move forward and conduct himself professionally.

The winter is coming, and with it comes some serious decisions. For those new drivers coming on board I would suggest that you pair up and team through the winter, then split up around march or april. When solo freight is slow, team freight keeps you moving. I look forward to introducing something remarkable, maybe even extraordinary, next spring.

 

Some news here on the thread. My truck now has 4 brand new gas magnum shocks for the drives. Yep, the ride is smooth and nice. I had to go buy an adjustable and box wrench and do it myself (yes, flatheaders, we do SOME work once in a while) but it only took 45 minutes. The shop wanted to charge $150 for the install. No thank you... A mechanic could have made $20 to loan me a wrench and ratchet, but no takers there either. Oh well.

Had to catch up on my maintenance log. Yes, if you take on the ACE lease (buy the truck) you have to maintain your maintenance log and submit it to prime (their authority) for them to file it in your maintenance file. This is a DOT requirement, not a Prime thing, and could get you shut down if you are not keeping up with your log and not keeping receipts for records. Just another between the two lease programs.

ChuckTaylor, I would agree with you. I have arranged to take on a newbie for the winter, but the driver will have 40k before getting on this truck. I am finishing up my student in the next week or so, and taking two weeks off to go deer hunting with the whole family. I hope I have found a ride for my current student, as it would be better for him to run with a teammate for the winter.

 

Would you be able to tell? I would...