Finally Started School!

Years ago, I was sitting in on a BS, you'll never believe this, whining session. You all know about those things. A driver sat there and listened, not saying anything for a long time. Then he said, " You guys know the difference between a truck driver and a puppy"? Nooooooo, we don't. His reply was " The difference between a truck driver and a puppy is the puppy stops whining after six months... "

 

Now that's funny!!!!

 

Let me get caught up......

Yesterday started with a trip to the REAL DOCTOR. Seems the DOT Card issuing doctor had an issue with my blood pressure (138/92) and tried to make me think I was knocking on heaven's door. Then the lady at the school also advised me that I needed to go get checked out, so I did.

I was told by the REAL DOCTOR that there wasn't a thing wrong with me and could not understand why this other doctor would only give me a 6 month card. Told me that with my size (6'2", 295lbs) it was quite normal for my numbers to be around there. But we decided to take some blood and run it off to the lab and see what came back. So we'll see what next week brings. He told me not to worry though.... it was just a way of making me pay more money hehehehehehe (he's a really cool old guy). Also, he does DOT Physicals, so when I go back, I am going to have him issue me a new card.

Got to school after lunch and spent the whole afternoon in the back of the truck observing. I think I am just about done with the required observation time, but I have learned a lot. Plus, both of my instructors and I have a few things in common, so it makes for some good conversation during the lulls between "important driving stuff". And when that comes up, I simply sit back and learn. From what I am told, it sounds like I will be spending a pretty good amount of time behind the wheel next week. I can hardly wait!

I did ask the one instructor that when we go out, I knew I needed more city and highway time, but would it be possible to also get some "Real World Situation" time, meaning truck stops, loading docks, tight little alleys, and other craziness that I would run into. He said he would be glad to do that, and he'll make it happen. Not that I don't think time on the roads will be good too, but when I do show up for the road test during orientation, I want to be able to handle anything they might throw at me.

So let's see what happens!

Ok, as far as the prospect thing goes, here is the latest:

I have a prehire from Conway (my first choice) and orientation is scheduled for February 9th in Joplin, MO. KLLM has scheduled me for Feb 17th in Atlanta, GA, and Star has me set up for the 16th in Nashville, TN, but I am going to change that to the 23rd as my "Plan C". I am going to load up a rental car with everything and go. If I don't get Conway, I am going to hoof it on down to KLLM. If I don't get that, I am going to shoot up to Nashville.

I am still waiting to hear back from Trans Am, Smithway, and Transport America. So if they come through, I am going to slide TransAm in there somewhere. Smithway and Transport America have already given me prehires.

Maverick, US Xpress, PAM, and Coastal Transport are in a hiring freeze until at least February. If I can get on with Maverick, I intend to run in the Glass Division.

Willis Shaw informed me today that as of last Monday, they are not going to hire any students. In order to get onboard with them, you will need at least 6 months experience. Talked to TMC and was told that my application was unapproved, but Phil said he could not tell me why because it looked really good and all of my DAC and references were perfect. They had even given me a pre-hire. Maybe they had issue with my BP too.... <sigh> oh well..... their trucks had a lot of chrome to polish... yeah, I know I am being petty now..... <sorry!>

SuperService, Marten, Holland, Smith, and WEL all wanted experience. Danny Herman's recruiter apparently does not know how to operate his voicemail, and return phone calls. And Navajo does hire students, but their pay is really low and it sounds like you are not going to get a lot of hometime when you want/need it, so they are on the scratch list too.

So anyway, that is where things are in the day of the life. A little frustrating, but you know what? I am not hearing any fat lady singing! Besides, I have three in the fire, and I still have two weeks of school to get through!

Now I am going to go lay in the corner and curl up in the fetal position.

Talk to ya'll later....... More to come!

 

Scooter,

If, for some reason, I don't go with my first choice, I'll be joining you in the KLLM orientation on the 17th in Atlanta. About your blood pressure... it's high! From everything I know, anything above 90 is high, no matter your height or weight. I'm on medication for my blood pressure and I've been to several different doctors about it. Anytime my bottom number started approaching 90 (and it's been higher than that prior to becoming medicated), every single doctor that I've seen started talking about 'stroke level.' I don't wanna burst your bubble, but you might want to take it more seriously and keep a close check on it.

IronRydr

 

Scooter, you are going to be fine my man. I have a story for you just send me NOT an im but an email big boy. Gonna get you into a truck my man..he he

 

Well, all the same, the Doc did prescribe me some medicine to bring it down a little bit. I will tell you though that my BP has run around there ever since my 20's (well over twenty years ago). And it clearly says on the DOT form that under 140 and between 90-99 was quite acceptable. And height and weight is a factor. Takes a lot more to get me moving hehehehehehe. I spent 15 years as a paramedic, and I would not have blinked twice at my numbers.

At this point it is sort of irrelavent. Got pills, gonna get it down, and gonna be a Big Truck Truck Driver.... no matter what I have to do. I will not let my dream pass me by. And, for what it is worth, I do appreciate your concern.

Now wouldn't it be interesting if we end up in the same room on the 17th? Who knows. Maybe we'll get to finally meet in person. I am real easy to pick out of a crowd (or so I am told). I am really hoping for Conway, but I would be just a tickled with KLLM.... they have such pretty trucks! )

 

Shoot it to me bud!

 

Git-a WooF on it!

Buckle-Up buttercup!
Wait till you deal with the DMV.
About 'issues' -----
Like the current issue of the information 'bout
passin' the CDL-A testS including complicated, convoluted, Haz-Mat ----- all totaled?
Right around 300 questions.
All written, ...........

But the DMV had NONE written in English.
Except for one in a supervisor's desk.
OH!
There were PlentY of Spanish and hieroglyphics I don't understand.

Here's what I tried to make the DMV aware of -----

I was under a load that ran me by the house to renew my license.
I had less than a week to study and pass 'em all.
Like 3 days because the DMV doesn't count days like week ends like
Big truck truckers do.

Makes a Dawg wanna bark!
I barked.
I NEED a StudY dad-burned BOOK!

W O O F !!
Dang-nabbit!
And got the last issue of important DMV--CDL-A information known to exist.
The supervisor's.

She didn't seem to like that.
I figured she'd miss it.
Sooo, after passin' all my tests, I returned the booklet to her -----
Complete with errors I highlighted and corrected.

The supervisor was surprised that I brought the obvious error on their part ----- to their attention -----
Seein' as how, even though they checked correct answer incorrectly, ....
I STILL passed anyway --- with ALL my other correct answers.
What's the Big deal? she wondered?
DoAH!

Uhhhhhh ---- whudda 'bout the next driver who misses one too many, and that question was the one that
struck him/her out?
WhatEver ------ That's exactly what she said.
It's twue!
It's twue!

YuP!
It's ALL important.
HuH?

I bet your instructors feel the same.

When I attended a private drivin' school, there were those there who were really serious,
and those who were doin' it for gubmint subsistency payments which often provided otherwise homeless folks, to eat and live in a motel for a few months, while (usually) daddy attended a few hours of inconvenience along with a Big truck free ride -----
Along with the motel room and board.
A vacation, of sorts?

Now, ....... an instructor worth their weight in gold, has a choice to make.
Invest an extra hour with one (or more) sincere students, and receive three hours worth of good results, -----
Or spend the same hour with a return of what cost to others?
A lost cause is just that.

I remember in my first drivin' school experience, there were two brothers, not twins, named Hyrum.
Same last name, too --- just not really the same father.
Go figure.

It was sure hard for the instructors.

The instructors called 'em either "A" or "B".
"A" was older, and more prone to remainin' awake.
So if the instructors wanted "B" to respond -----
They'd need to yell a little louder.
Or not ---- as the case may be in the case for "B", you see, -----
'Cause "B" preferred to sleep through all of our jerkin' and bumpin' students around -- learnin' how to drive a Big truck. "B" seemed able to sleep through all that, --- and probably would've made the perfect co-driver -----
'Cept for he couldn't drive.
Didn't even really want to.
NopE!

"B" often thanked another student for takin' his place, learnin' to drive a Big truck.
Imagine that?
It's twue!
It's twue!


Even I couldn't make stuff like THAT up.

Uhhhh, ...... have I digressed?

GooD idea --- IMO.
Whud 'e say?

Tighten the cinch buck-a-roo!
GooD instructors seem to know ALL the GOOD places like that.
And often prefer to avoid those places, ---- but if y'all ask, real nice --- they just might
AfterShock y'all.

I got a tad ####y, and made a bet with the instructor the I could handle the "S" curve turn he had described as a real "EyE OpeneR", and away we went.

Well, ...... I successfully got through that "S" curve turn -----
But the instructor won the bet.
What I saw when I saw that "S" turn was DEFINITELY an EyE OpenerR.
For me AND the other students on board.

Well, except for "B".
He never knew what happened. ----- never opened an eye.
While we practiced on that "S" turn several more times as we filled the driver's seat for "B".
Your're welcome, Hyrum "B".
Least we could do.
For us ALL.

Right?

YuP & YeAH, I think you're right on target thar.

Open road drivin' is where Bttdrivers relax.
Lane position and goin' with the flow, mostly.
It's when y'all get off the big slab, thangs change.
And the farther off y'all wander, the quicker thangs happen, -----
That'cha need to know how to be prepared for.

Big city on and off ramps, are good to practice on.
Wait 'till y'all get to Texas and/or Jersey.
They do thangs different thar.
But don't worry --- we'll talk y'all through it.

YeAH buddy!

#####!
Git-'er-done!

Ya know......?
There are those who don't let all that other stuff bother 'em.
Much simpler to just go with the first truckin' company that'll hire a driver.
Then depend on said company to deliver.
As promised?

HeY!

Here's a question I presented to several instructors, after hours, when we were all gathered together.

'How many BAD reports have y'all received from students?'
Hang-0n for some of the REASONS!!
And, as an added bonus --- it's educational as well.
In MANY ways.

ATTITUDE, .......... folks.

 

ATL .. my neck of the woods! I'm just North in Woodstock. I should finish school the 30th so hopefully I'll be out orientating as well. After reading about Conway .. and seeing they are 'dog friendly' .. I'm looking at them too. If I'm around we can do lunch.

I have the 'day in the life of the smashburn' thread updated. Drivin, backin, parkin, shiftin .. oh my! soooo cool

Keep up the good mojo!

Smash

 

Absolutely.... yeah, we'll see how everything comes together. I did find an excellent read from a Conway Driver named Greasemonkey. Check it out....

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...way/53347-con-way-truckload-3.html#post739958

Very well written and quite informative.

I'm enjoying your thread too...

Lunch is a definite!!!!