Hi, I'm Snazzy and I'm Trucker

Buckle up Duker and Pj, as Life Goes On.

I Buckled up, " Now Eugene ! I'm going to let you take it from here. That road is still a little slick, so take her easy and keep your speed down. "

Eugene pushed in the yellow knob, " Mr Goose your going to help me aren't you ? I've never driven on ice like this. "

I gave the old pep talk, " Just keep a safe following distance and treat her gently. Don't jerk the wheel and try to stay off those brakes. "

So, Eugene showed me what he had. Yep, he popped the clutch twice and stalled her out. Then he ground every gear, as we joined the other skaters on the big road. What a deal !

I tried to act unconcerned, " Your doing fine Eugene ! Now, ease off the go pedal a little. There you go ! Alright, that's good. Watch that four wheeler and let him over. That's it, that's it, easy, easy, that's it ! Now, down shift and keep her going. "

Eugene was sweating bullets, " Mr Goose ! Mr Goose ! They're stopping ! "

I spoke calmly, " Easy on that brake, your doing fine, now push in the on the clutch, that's it, there you go. Keep her straight, lift that bale, set that sail, mop that deck, and roll'em ! "

Eugene followed the crowd, " I can't believe this traffic. Mr Goose, is it always like this ? "

I didn't sugarcoat it, " Those Idiot four wheelers can't drive ! Look at them all bunched up and riding each others bumpers. Remember to always leave plenty of room and to watch out for the other guy. Now, watch for those signs and think ahead. "

Eugene had to ask, " What does that one mean ? "

I explained, " We'll need to pull in there and put on our chains. Go ahead and follow that Fed-Ups truck in there. There you go ! "

So, Eugene pulled out the yellow knob and we bundled up for the rat killing.

I gave my lecture, " See these ! I keep them under that bottom bunk and your required to have them ! Always make sure you they're on the truck before leaving out of the terminal. It doesn't matter if it's winter or not ! It can snow up here practically year round. If your caught without them the Bears will red tag you and those fines aren't cheap. "

Eugene examined them, " Are those chains ? They look funny ! "

I continued, " No ! These are are cables, but are similar to chains. Look here and see these hooks ? Make sure their facing away from the tire, so we lay them this way. See ? That way those hooks help dig into the ice and not the tire. Now, watch what I'm doing here. See ! I lay them out right in front of the tires and always remember to put them on the traction wheels. Those are the tires that spin, if your not sure, just spin the tires and you can see which ones they are. Got that ? "

Eugene hovered over me, " I see ! How do know how far to pull up ? "

I wiped my runny nose, " Well, with two of us it's easy, but I'll show you a trick that works when you don't have a helper. I'll lay this one down right under the running board here. Now, watch me ! See ! I roll down the widow here and look straight down. I can measure how far I need to pull up. See, how easy that was ? Now, let's see if I was right ! "

Eugene slapped me on the back, " Man ! That's perfect ! Where do you learn to do that ? "

I stood back up and brushed the snow off, " You'll learn all kinds of tricks out here, if you watch what's going on. Now, see this ? I fasten these hooks here and then use these rubber straps. See ? Make sure the straps on on the sidewalls and not under the tread. That way if the cables come loose, these straps will help keep them on. You got that ? "

Eugene tugged on the cable, " That's on there good ! When do you know, when to put these on ? "

I was honest, " Only when I have to ! If the Bears require it, or if I can't get enough traction to move. Otherwise, I'd rather not mess with them. They're a pain in the butt and not worth the bother. Now, go ahead and I'll let you do the others. "

So, I followed Man Mountain around, as he cabled up the remaining three. You know, the other traction wheel on the tractor and one each on the trailer. Eugene did just fine and really impressed me with his quick learning skills. We climbed back in and let the heater thaw our frozen butts. I poured us a hot cup of java from my thermos and we drew lines in our comic books.
I buckled in, " Now Eugene ! If you feel that skying down this slope is a bit too much for you. Well, let me know now, because you don't have to do it. I don't normally have students try this their first time out. It's just that winter is about over and you probably won't get another chance. Well, with a trainer with you. "

Eugene pushed in the yellow knob, " No, Mr Goose I need to learn this and I'll do my best. I appreciate you teaching me and let me know how I do. "

I played armchair quarterback, " Now, this is the most important part right here ! Always, and I mean always ! Get a slow start ! You'll see fools trying to show off and heading down like there are no tomorrows. Well, for some of them there might not be ! You need to check to make sure that everything is working just right. Check your trailer brakes by pulling your lever and watching your air gauge. Good ! Now tap down on the brake pedal and get a feel of the road. Good ! Check your mirrors and watch for your signs. Now, this is where you make the your decision. It's all systems go, or you abort your mission. Since everything is an A-OK we'll stay the course and ride her down. "

Eugene began sweating, " Oh man ! Look at that ! It's straight down ! Mr Goose am I doing this right ? "

I spoke calmly, " Your doing fine ! Just don't ride the brakes and remember the four second rule. That's it, stab the brake gently and count to four. Now, let off it and watch your speed. That's it ! No ! No ! Don't do that ! "

Eugene done did it, " Oh man ! Mr Goose ! Mr Goose, the trailer is.."

I leaped up and flipped the switch off, " We're alright ! Here ! Keep her straight and I'll work the trailer brakes. There you go ! No ! Don't ! Let go and let me steer ! That's it ! We got it ! Your alright now ! Here you go and I'll let you have her back. "

Eugene was whiter than me, " What made it do that ? "

I sat back down, " Oh, I thought that you knew. Don't ever use that Jake Brake on ice. It'll sure slow the tractor, but it'll make that trailer want to swing around. At least we were all alone and didn't cause any mishaps. "

Eugene had to ask, " How did you know what to do ? "

I lit up a 100, " It's simple if you think about it. If your trailer is going faster that your tractor, you just slow your trailer down a bit. I just used that trailer brake to slow her up. Now, there are two things to remember ! "

Eugene was all ears, " I'm listening, Mr Goose ! "

I blew smoke, " First, that will only work if you let off the brake pedal. If you don't, your just waisting your time. Second, don't ever try to whip the wheel around. That just makes it worst and usually is what causes you to jack-knife. You know, it's best to allow everything to line up on it's on. "

Eugene sighed a big relief, " Look, Mr Goose we made it ! I did it ! "

Yep Snazzers, ole Eugene had made a rookie mistake, but it was just as much my fault. You know, I just assumed that he knew not to do that. Well anyway, it wasn't that big a deal. I guess what impressed me, was that Eugene had a good attitude. You know, he asked a lot of questions and tried his best. That's all I ever expected from any of the students. Yep, a good attitude and the ability to follow instructions is a trainer's dream. Man, if only all of the students had those traits. What a deal, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Snazzy,
Caught up with you again and back to where I can get to a puter. Been out of pocket for about a month. Stories are as good as ever.........

 

Good to see that Mc85 is still with us, as Life Goes On.

We made our Seattle delivery and got a load headed to Bum Lost, New York. What a deal ! Eugene was in the pilot's seat, as I sat shotgun.

I fingered the keyboard, " See this ? That's our trip number and all the other stuff we need to fill out our trip report. See ! I just hit enter and fill in the blanks. That's right, that's right, oh see here ? I'll change that, to this, and leave that. See ? "

Eugene handed over his folder, " Mr Goose ! That Mr Ed told me to give you this when we got to Washington. It's my parole papers and Agent Silly needs you to fill them out weekly. "

I opened it up, " That #### Ed ! Alright ! So, who did you kill ? "

Eugene thought that I was serious, " No Sir, Mr Goose ! I was just in there for drug sales and that's all. I swear ! You can call Agent Silly ! "

I updated Eugene, " I know all about this ! Well, I didn't know that you were on parole, but I know about the program. I've already trained one of Agent Silly's parolees. You don't know anyone by the name of Tyrone, do you ? "

Eugene busted out laughing, " Crazy Tyrone ! I know him and he's nuttier than hell ! That guy doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. So, your the one that Tyrone blames for having him on restriction ? "

I had to ask, " He's not back in the joint ? That guy needs to be locked up and if it was up to me, he would be ! "

Eugene dropped the bomb, " No Mr Goose, Tyrone is back at TLX and out here somewhere. He was only on restriction for a couple of weeks. That's when I was still going to that driving school and staying at that halfway house. He's nothing but trouble and even tried to pick a fight with me. "

I lit up a 100, " You know, he tried the same thing with me and a buddy of mine liked to have killed him. Then he stole my tractor and tried to take a load of big screen tv's. Man ! I can't believe that Agent Silly and Mother Ed are dumb enough to keep him around. "

Eugene nodded his huge head, " Your right Mr Goose ! They'll find out soon enough and he'll be back in the joint. Guys like him never learn and always try to blame it on being black. That makes me sick ! "

I blew smoke, " I'm happy to hear you say that ! I'm not a raciest and that Tyrone tried to pull that crap on me ! I was raised better than that ! "

Eugene nodded again, " That's the same way I was raised. You can't judge folks by the color of their skin ! My Granny would of switched me good if I ever did that. She raised me to treat everyone the same. "

I had a flashback, " My grandmother was like that. She helped to raise me and she use to keep a switch handy. You know, she never once used that thang, but it sure kept me in line. "

Eugene laughed, " My Granny would wear me and the rest out with hers. She didn't play around ! I sure miss her and pray that I go to heaven to be with her. "

I choked down a lump, " So, tell me about yourself. "

Eugene gave me the short version, " I come from a big family and have two older brothers, two younger brothers, and three sisters. My mom and dad were poor, so we were all raised by Granny. She had a pig farm there in East, Texas. We all did chores and had to walk to the school. I was so big that I ended up playing football and getting a scholarship. I played center and played in two college bowls. I hurt my knee and wasn't drafted by any of the pro teams, but tried out for the semi pro's. I played one season there and then got picked up by the Oiler's. I made it through training camp and played two games. That's when I got suspended for having dirty urine. I ended up hitting bottom and getting busted for sales. "

I didn't want to pry, " Well ! I guess we all have our crosses to bare and we sure can't change the past. So, what are your plans ? "

Eugene eye's lit up, " See this Mr Goose ? That's my little girl when she was just eight months old. She's four now and I have to be there for her ! She doesn't understand why I had to go away and by the time she does. Well, she'll know that her daddy won't ever do anything wrong again. "

I lightened things up, " Yep Eugene, being a longhauler sure let's your family know that your there for them ! Did you consider joining the Foreign Legion, or maybe being a Missionary in Tim Buck Tooth ? "

Eugene shook his head, " No Mr Goose ! I have it all planned out. Agent Silly is going to get me approved for a State Grant. All I have to do is work here for one year and I'll get me my own truck. I already talked with a company that hauls shipping containers form Houston to Dallas. That way me and my wife can live down there and I'll be home most every night. "

I was stunned, " They can do that ? With you being a convicted felon ? "

Eugene explained, " If I work my program and don't violate my parole the Governor's Office will pardon me. That way my record will be cleared up and I'll be alright. They offer that to all of the first offenders. Even guys like Tyrone are eligible. "

So, Eugene and I got along just fine. He was a gentle giant and bit of a dreamer. You know, he seemed to find something good in everyone and held a deep belief in his faith. It was refreshing to have a student that accepted his own short comings, didn't blame others for his past wrongs, and learned by his mistakes. What a deal, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snazzers, youe Snazzy1.

 

Life is a journey full of paths to follow. Head down the wrong one and it can be a perilous flight of destruction with the return path being a steep
uphill battle. Follow the right path and with the help of true friends it can
be a pleasant trip. Lets hope Eugene stays the right path. Way to go Snazz

 

I'm with ya Snazzy. Just been laying in the weeds following along.
It's looks like you might have a decent student for once.
Keep it coming!

 

Man, do I feel like a heel. All these great posts and positive attitudes and all I can think is when is the $%*! going to hit the fan. Barney has turned me into nothing but a "glass is half empty" type of gal.

Barney are things changing???

 

The laws of probability were bound to finally work in your favor. I mean you just cant keep pulling zeroes out of the deck.

 

Welcome Snazzy, I am a relatively new member as well. I remember those days, because I am a few years older than you. I was fortunate to live in a town where die cast toys were made and I used to ride my bike down and watch them make those big models (I am sure now they were produced for truckers and companies to give to their accounts) most of them were for moving companies also. I ended up with some of them when i saved my nickels and dropped in to the place when they had a pour of the cast on Saturday's. I begged the guy that worked there to give me the bad casts so I would have a fleet.
Thanks for reviving that memory for me !
Threeieighteen
Please remember we are professional
act, dress and provide that as a service

 

First a big Snazzy welcome to Threeieighteen. Pj shared some very good advice with us. Wolfie has been keeping up, Lobshot is betting the odds and Sassy sees an empty glass, as Life Goes On. Snazzy points all around.

I stood flapping my arms trying to assist Eugene back her up. Poor Eugene tried his best, but the rig refused to obey him. Suddenly Eugene took matters into his own hands and steamed full speed ahead.

The Dock Foreman had to ask, " Where's he going ? "

I thumbed my beard, " Maybe he's going to try a better setup ? "

The Foreman spat, " We don't have all day ! "

I started walking, " I'll go over there and see what's up. "

Eugene rolled the window down, " I'm sorry Mr Goose, but I sure thought that there was room for me to turn around. "

I rolled my flapping eyes, " That's alright Eugene, but there's noway ! See how your all twisted around now ? There's just not enough room between those buildings ! Let me take a look around back and see what we can do. Don't do anything till I come back ! "

Eugene nodded with his muscular neck, " I'm sorry Mr Goose ! "

So, I sashayed back to the far side of the trailer and pondered our next move. I barely made it behind the trailer when it jerked forward and the sound of metal crunching filled the air. I trotted back (didn't sashay) to where I'd just come. Eugene was standing next to the driver's door and knew that I wasn't happy.

Eugene pointed, " He said, that he could ..."

I went postal, " Hey ! Hey ! Get out of my truck ! I mean it ! "

The Foreman climbed down, "" It just bent that fairing a little bit ! I know what I'm doing ! Your partner there can't drive ! "

I was all worked up, " You might run the dock here, but no one drives my truck, unless I say they do ! "

The Foreman spat some more, " I don't have time for this ! Back on that dock or get someone who can ! "

I turned to Eugene, " Roll her legs down and unhook ! You'll have to bobtail out and rehook to get a better angle ! "

The Foreman over ruled me, " That's Bull Chips ! Get back in there and she'll walk right out of there ! "

I gave Eugene the look, " Don't listen to him and do what I said ! If you try to pull forward now, she'll jack knife for sure and we'll really be in a jam ! "

The Foreman pushed past me, " I'll show you, that I'm right ! "

I'd had enough, " Mister ! You better not ! If you climb back in there, I'll knock you into next week ! I mean it ! "

The Foreman shoved me, " You and who else ! "

I screamed for mercy, " No ! Don't ! Wait ! Hold it ! Please ! Stop ! Stop it ! Wait ! Eugene ! Eugene ! Let him go ! "

Eugene let go, " You don't ever lay your hands on Mr Goose ! "

The Foreman was down for the count, " I think you broke my arm and I can't feel my legs. You better call me an ambulance ! "

I didn't buy it, " Your an ambulance ! Eugene go ahead and unhook and if he can't get up just run over him ! "

The Foreman crawled away, " I'm calling the cops ! "

Eugene panicked, " Oh no ! Mr Goose I'm done for and it's all my fault. "

I thought about it, " See that bar over there ? Go wait inside and I'll handle this. Don't come out until you see me ! You got that ? "

So, Eugene took off like a Sherman Tank and squeezed inside the club. I tossed his belongings into the storage area, under the bottom bunk and drew my lies. I had managed to rehook, just as Johnny Law swung up.

I cheesed, " How's it going officer ?

John Law was all business, " I'll need to see your ID ! I'm investigating an assault. Do you want to tell what happened ? "

I gave my innocent look, " Did something happen ? I just got here and didn't see a thang ! Here's my CDL and logbook. "

Law Man read over my lies, " So, you just got here and your running solo ? You don't have a driving partner ? "

My nose grew, " Not me ! I always run alone. What happened ? Is it safe now ? I sure don't want anything to happen and I'm glad your here. "

Law Man bought it, " It's all over now and I guess that dispatch got their wires crossed. You sure don't look to be 7' tall, 500 lbs, and black. "

I laughed, " Not hardly ! Sounds like your looking for King Dong. Like I said, I just got here and haven't seen a thang. "

Law Man apologized, " Well, sorry to have bothered you. The detectives will have to follow up on this one. The victim drove himself to the emergency room and last I heard he was in pretty bad shape. I was hoping to find some witnesses, but you know how that goes. "

I had to ask, " So, he drove himself to the hospital and there aren't any witnesses ? Man, that doesn't sound good. Well, I appreciate you checking with me and hope you find your Gorilla.. err man, or whatever. "

So, Law Man bid me a good day, as I backed her on the dock. Yep, the lumpers were busy as bees and buzzing about the latest gossip. Something about their Shop Foreman finally getting his clock cleaned. Yep, according to them, it was about time that someone did that. Anyway, I picked up Eugene and we set sail towards our next adventure. What a deal, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

OK had to read this one twice ( 2 times ) to take it all in.
Sounds like dock manager got what was coming to him-felt that way a few times myself.
Guess your just lucky that Eugene did not snap him in half.
And way to go being "Mother" Goose in protecting your fledgling from the big bad Gestapo the way you did...