Finally Started School!

Oh, I didn't let the white stuff even slow me down (I love the white stuff!). It was pretty rough here this morning (not because of so much snow, but Raleigh is really not equipped to handle it). I just jumped in the Bronco, popped it in 4WD, and off I went. Not a problem in the world. Zipped down through downtown Raleigh, shot out the south side, and even had enough time to stop at Bojangles to grab a biscuit. Got to school and there were 4 other people. I guess the others have no intention of being Ice Road Truckers hehehehehe

Congrats on KLLM. Somehow, I have a feeling you and I are going to cross paths. And that would be a good thing!

Hey there cpassey - I'll give it a shot. Been taking the meds now for a few days and it seems to be doing it's job. If I can get this handled (which it might already be), there will be one more Big Truck Truck Driver on the road....

Thanks!

Just moving through this world at the speed of life. Just had a bunch of classroom today. Full post will be coming up. Thanks on the congrats

hehehehehe yeah, there were a lot of people literally "losing their minds" driving in the stuff. When I was on my way to school, I had a car slide past me on the right, go into a spin, and pulled off a very nice 360 while crossing the intersection. But the really wild part was car 1 slid right through a red light and from the right, almost like it was planned, another car came sliding through the intersection, also spinning, clearly missing car 1, and came to a stop facing the other way. Sort of made me feel I was watching the Auto Ice Capades. Wish you could have been there. It was quite impressive. But no one got hurt or made contact with anything. Made it all that much better..... hehehehehe

 

First off, (although I doubt he reads this....) I want to wish President Obama good luck in getting our country back on track. It doesn't matter if I did or didn't vote for him (nor do I want to know if you did), but I am an American, and I hope for all of our futures....

Also, best wishes to Sen Kennedy for a speedy recovery.....

That being said.....

The day started out quite interesting. I live in Raleigh, NC, and for those of you that have never experienced it, a snow event in this area is quite the thing. Unlike our northern neighbors, we are not really equipped to handle the weather when it comes in fast. And it did. And although we have a large percentage of northern transplants, they end up in the ditch too. Not because of their abilities, but because of our systems. And I am here to tell you, there were cars everywhere. I am lucky enough to have one of the best 4WD vehicles I have ever owned, and had zero issues getting to school. Others weren't so lucky. Tonight, the roads are slushy and they are calling for temps in the teens (doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what is going to happen). Needless to say, we didn't take the trucks out on the road today, and it is a safe bet we won't tomorrow either. And as a word of warning.... if you are coming into the area tomorrow, second guess your plans. If you have to, be very careful, because it will be bad.

So, as expected, we got a full day of classroom time today, which tickled me to death. Of course it started with a Winter Weather Driving video, followed by discussion, then another, then another. It was sort of neat because there were only a few students which made for a GREAT discussion "group", and it actually brought us a little closer together. Charlie (owner) came in and talked about the upcoming changes that the DMV/DOT is moving towards regarding CDL's, medical cards, and the sort. Also told us a few success stories about some students. Then we went over road hazards and had a test. Finished up the morning watching a video on truckstops, and then we had a chance to drill Victor (Lead Instructor) about truckstop etiquettes, various cards for the truckstops, weigh stations, DOT inspections, and so much more.

After lunch, we dove right into logbooks and the rules and regs regarding Hours of Service. The video was like listening to a lawyer discussing Corporate Law.... we all looked like a dog hearing a new sound. It was undoubtedly VERY CONFUSING. So the rest of the day (we got out a little early) was spent discussing it, and got what I consider to be a fairly solid understanding of the 14hr, 11hr, 10hr, 8/2hr split, 34hr reset, and the 60/70hr rule. To most of you already out on the road, I realize that you probably already have a good grasp on this, but you must remember that this newbie is still learning.

So drove home, also uneventful, and now Linda is putting something on the table that smells phenomenal. But I was informed it is a "secret" and have been excommunicated from the kitchen. Last time she did that and I didn't heed her word, I was chased from the kitchen with a spatula.

But that is another story )

See ya soon!

 

hehehehehehe, trust me.... the spatula chasing was by no means amorous in any way.... hehehehehe
=============================================

Well, we didn't start today until 10am because of the frozen road surfaces here, and the owner didn't want us to risk life and limb (oh pleeeez) to get to school first thing in the morning. Unfortunately, I didn't get to sleep in because at 5am, a car apparently drove down the road in front of the house over the ice and the dog (yes, the REAL SCOOTERDAWG) felt our property was being invaded. Now for those of you who do have a dog, you would totally understand. For those of you who don't, imagine a VERY LOUD repetative bark, running through the house, and 80 pounds of meat, bones, and fur hurling itself at you while you lie in bed, landing squarely on your chest. Needless to say, I was up.

Got into school at 10 and only 5 other students showed up. So we a couple hours of lecture and video time. After lunch, we went outside and since they were all the newer students, they were being shown how to do the pretrip. And then I our instructor had asked me if I could go with a few of my fellow students and go over how to do the inside cab pre-trip. Needless to say, I was honored! And before the day was out, he had shown everyone how to do the outside pretrip, and they all had been in the cab with me. I wasn't really "instructing" them though. I was moreso watching them and making sure they didn't forget anything. Gave them a few of my tricks for making sure I didn't forget anything. And we had a ball.

Then at 5pm, we all came back inside and the instructor had each one of the new students state step by step how to do the inside. With the exception of a few oversights, everyone got it right. The instructor looked at me afterwards and sort of winked. Later, he thanked me and said, "You're trying to get my job", to which I replied, "Oh no, I am gonna be a Big Truck Truck Driver!". He laughed, and I left to come home.

Tomorrow we start again at 10 <sigh>. It is supposed to warm up, so maybe with any luck I can get out on the road behind the wheel. February 9th is coming up quick, and I am ready to DO THIS THING. I know, I know.... patience! We'll just wait and see what tomorrow brings....

And that is about it for tonight....

Talk to ya tomorrow!

 

Yup, that's right. Saturday Classes. Why? Because with the ice and everything last week, our hours were cut and I got places to go and trucks to drive!

Thursday was rather uneventful. Spent a bunch of time on the yard catching up on some hours. Already passed all my backing tests, so more so I was watching other students do their thing. I did however jump up in the truck and practice a few backing manuveurs when there was opportunity. Can never get enough practice, right?

Same thing for today. I actually was helping some of the "weekenders" do their 45 degree back-up. I figured since I had nothing better to do, it would help pass the time. And they got better and better at it. Sort of gave me a sense of accomplishment. And they were able to nail some stuff they had been trying to do.

Well, back to class tomorrow too. Hey I am going to get as much as possible as quickly as possible so I can graduate this week.

Besides, I have a date with destiny on the 9th! heheheheheheh

Talk to you soon!