New Career ... From the beginning.

Thank you ..I've. been inspired by many other great threads that read like a novel. I hope that this thread will stay alive for a while. Check back in a couple of days I'll have an update on my driving practice.

 

How did I come to be here? That's a question my father in law...who has dementia, asks on a regular basis. He has come to live with us, because he can't stay alone. He's lost his mind, had a stroke and is in his 91st year. I can't claim all those liabilities..yet, I ask the same question... How did I come to being here?
People ask me on a regular basis... how did you decide to become a truck driver? I used to be in advertising, I'm 61 years old.. not a colored hair on my head anymore...and all I can say is that... "I don't really know! One day I found myself calling Sage CDL School... next thing you know I've borrowed money and I'm sitting in class learning about air breaks...makes my head swim. A friend that I sat next to at Thanksgiving Dinner asked me that question...and I gave her the standard answer... I don't know... she quoted a verse in the Bible " He himself fixed beforehand the exact times and the limits of the places where they would live" So, maybe (hopefully) that's it... maybe being a trucker is a God thing... maybe it's a good thing. we'll see

 

My road test is in a week...I still have 4 drives to go with my school...I got a call from my Schneider recruiter today...just checking in. They've revised the orientation a little... now it's a week at the terminal...shifting and backing...shifting and backing... a road test.. then, a week with a trainer..or as they call them...trainer engineer...or TE... then back to home base for another week of classroom learnin.
so, down to 3 weeks of training...seems reasonable to me. some of the carriers have you out there for up to 8 weeks... that may be overkill.

 

Drive 8 tonight...70 miles thru the countryside. It was one of those dark and stormy nights...very dark, windy and rain. The school is going thru a growth spurt...that plus Thanksgiving...means I didn't drive for 6 days...my problem tonight was coming up on stoplights. rolling along at 40 mph. Light is green....do I slow down? I slow down...but downshift too soon...can't put it in 7th gear at 35...grind..grind...clutch is in....I can't find the right gear....foot off the break..rev the engine...get the foot back in the break.... OMG....I'm supposed to be turning right....turned too soon....tandems over the curb.
My mind is trying get control.....3 blocks down....my instructor says....turn signal? Shoot....keep forgetting to turn off that blasted turn signal....

 

Yea...I know. I remember a hundred years ago when I got my drivers permit...driving with my parents through Syracuse....now, I sometimes do that with my eyes closed ....(kidding ). My wife wonders if I'm discouraged....I am not... I am excited....I just need some real time on the range .....practice makes perfect. - right?

 

All Jason so far. How about you?