Getting Ready to Hit the Road with Magnum

Thanks Buddy. Yup they do biz in OK. Give them a holler!

Nope, way south of you..... but when I do pass your house, I'll make sure to wave. Just make sure you wave back... hehehehehe

 

Hey there Pony -

I have no argument with what you are saying. And I am not going to try to convince you that I am the exception to the rule, because I doubt I am. But what I can claim to is that I have had a few decades of experience driving frozen, inclimate weather under extreme conditions. I have be pulling LARGE travel trailers, fifth wheel campers, and driving large Class A (bus-like) motor homes for many years through the mountains of NC, WV, PA, and NY. And I have had many years driving emergency ambulance in frozen conditions and training others to drive those same vehicles.

Does that qualify me to drive a Big Truck? Nope, not at all. But I do think it qualifies me to recognize and respond to changing conditions and potential hazards. I would never profess to "knowing it all", because simply put, I don't. But I would like to think that I am intelligent enough to drive wisely. My trainer has a strong ethic about safety and "driving it right", and believe me, he has no qualms about telling you if he is not happy. He has been out there for many years, and he told me at the beginning that I would not get my own truck until he would be comfortable sharing the road with me and I could prove to him that I could handle it. When he told me that I was getting my own truck, it didn't mean I was a seasoned professional, it just meant I was on my way.

For the record (not trying to brag or justify), this week, on my own, I started out with 78300#. I drove that through snow, ice, high winds, small town streets, and two rush hour traffics. Dropped that, then picked up 77800#, drove that through high winds, 3 rush hour traffics, mountains, then mountains with rain, then mountains with rain, fog and nightfall. The following morning, drove it another 400 miles through torrential downpour the whole way.

Now does that "prove my spit"? Again, nope! But hopefully it does show my fellow drivers something. First, considering my first solo, I successfully made it through some rather harsh conditions without any incident whatsoever. Secondly, although I didn't feel I was in over my head, I did realize that these are "adverse conditions" and I adjusted my driving accordingly. I didn't drive like a "SuperTrucker"..... I drove like everyone else out there..... just maybe a little slower. I was just as concerned about you making it there as I was about myself.

And you know what? Not once did anyone give me any grief over the radio about my driving.

I still have a lot to learn.... and I know that. And I sincerely appreciate your concerns not only for my safety, but your own as well. Let me say this to you and all my fellow drivers..... when it comes to making safe driving, backing, and operational decisions, I promise to always "have your back". There is a fine line between bravery and stupidity. I have no intention of ever crossing that.....

See you out there!