Running With Watkins & Shepard

I'm not sweating the light. These folks are the type that if you blow it, they tell right there and then. Although it did turn, I did make sure there was nobody waiting to enter from either side before deciding to continue through. BUT, it won't be something I'll forget and it taught me two things. First, Always break it down if there's "ANY" doubt you'll clear the light with ease and Second, it's not gonna hurt the truck to use the breaks harder than normal once in a while when needed even when fully loaded.

I've been going over it in my head and the truth is, I should have started breaking it down at roughly the 1/4 mile point (I saw it change to green at about 3/8. Had I done that (and I'm only talking about taking it from 50 to 40 and grabbing 8th gear), I'd have been more comfortable about hitting the breaks and I wouldn't need to hit them as hard.

I really was surprised by how quickly the light turned (especially with nobody waiting at the cross) but it's the surprises that cause accidents to happen. Being prepaired for the unexpected is what we do out here. I feel a good driver is always compeled to evaluate his/her decisions. Given the same set of circumstances, I could have made a better one. You can bet I will in the future!

 

Hey sweetie!

Yeah I'm glad it's Friday and yep, we do get a break from the "book" work part of all this but we can use the trucks 24/7 for practice. Hmmmm...do you think I might just do that a little??? LOL

I hear what you're saying and I do actually use a fair amount of what I learned in school as a kid. Just as I use a fair amount of what I learned in CDL school. Just like the rest of life, you take what you need and filter out what you don't. That's what I'm learning here. The FILTERS....LOL

I plan on getting ahead of some of the book work this weekend. And of course, I'll be walking and chanting the Speed Ratio chart. I know a fair amount of it now but I really have a goal for myself to be able to instantly spit out the answer to any randomly asked one. I don't know if I'll get there (in the 10 days) but at some point I will. I really see the importance of "knowing instantly" what gear you need for any given situation you're in. Having to "think" about it means you're already too late for that gear.

I am itching to get my keys for sure but at the same time, these folks teach you SO MUCH that I almost wish I had another 2 weeks with them. I've been a firm believer all my life that if you want to succeed at something, surround yourself with those who know it best. That's where I am right now.

On a personal note, I'll also miss these folks a LOT. I've made "friends" here and not just co-workers and bosses.... ya know? I have a few phone numbers and will keep in touch as time passes.

 

Thanks Difference Maker and it would be my pleasure..

 

Well, it's the end of day five and I'm still here...LOL

Got some more road work in today as well as some backing. Not much of that but I'd rather be on the road anyway. So today I got to ride with Vernon for the first time. We had a lot of fun. Me driving, him busting about my driving...LOL

He took me on some really tight, windy roads with a BUNCH of challenging hills today. It was GREAT! But I have to say it was also a real learning lesson. This road was so narrow that when I actually had a straightaway as long as the truck, I could see the tires were wider than the lines...LOL We didn't get too many of those straights...LOL

I learned that sometimes, you just have to ride on or over the zipper to keep the tandems on the road and inside the line. With lots of traffic buzzing toward me, I'd be lying if I said my palms didn't sweat from time to time. Then he'd pull things like, "OK, make a left up here at the stop sign". So I'd get about 20 feet away and setup for the left and he'd say, "NO, on second thought, let's go right"...LOL

Oh sure....NOW you tell me. He really made the day very challenging and I simply ate it up. I learned a LOT today and had very few problems coping with the ever changing format. We laughed and joked and had a great ride.

But today is bitter sweet for me. I've come to be close to Vernon and he has to go back to the Jersey terminal in the morning. I'll miss him and I'm glad he got to ride with me once at least. We've exchanged contact info and I'm sure we'll keep in touch but wish he'd be here to the end.

So we decided to play a little joke on the rest of the class today. He had me take the truck outside the gate without him and park it by the curb out there. Now no one is allowed beyond the gate without an instructor in the truck. So he came out, made like he was mad at me (in front of the class) and got in the drivers seat. We drove out of sight, around the block and I hid in the sleeper. So when he pulled back in the class could see I was gone. He told all of them to get in the classroom and he'd be right in. So we went around the back of terminal and he had me drop the full trailer, park the truck and wait about 10 minutes.

He went in the class and acting all ticked off, told them that he dropped me off at the motel where I'd get my "bus ticket" out of there. He REALLY played it up screaming how he simply couldn't tolerate ANYONE who couldn't follow directions and he gave me the BOOT!! LOL So the class got all quiet, so quiet he and RL said you could hear a pin hit the carpet. He had them all quaking in their boots and some even felt so bad for me they offered to grab all my stuff and take it back to the motel. He said NO!! leave it there, I'll get him and bring him back over for it if he wants. He said he was SICK of guys who couldn't listen to instruction, couldn't shift the darn truck or back up right or do the paper work...LOL He REALLY played it up.

So just as they were leaving class I rounded the hallway corner. They caught my eye and all quickly turned away and headed for the door. Vern was standing in the hall and I could see he was still playing it up as he had this really serious Glare at me on his face. I read it instantly and played along along. The guys were still in the hall and Vern yells out, "You looking for me"!? I yell back "YEAH! You have some kind of PROBLEM with ME"??? And all the guys scampered out so fast you could hear sneakers burning out on the floor.....LOL....LOL

At this point I head into the classroom where RL was just about rolling on the floor. We all laughed so hard our sides are still hurting. So we're really laughing hysterically when all 3 of us head out the door where all the guys were standing. You could see the look of total confusion on all of them....LOL Yep! WE GOT EM GOOD!!!

Looking forward to the weekend and some backing practice in the yard.

 

Hi Cruiser,

Thank you! These are some really great tips!

So lets see, I have .....

The Rand McNally TND 500 (The best IMHO. It has everything including logs in it. Every Wal mart, truck stop rest area, etc. etc)

A couple good stainless steel thermos (been building homes al my life)

Large Mag-Lite flashlight (Yep, two of them) For those covered docks "inside" the black holes...LOL)

A small gym bag (The hard pack liners from my Harley)

A really good first aid kit (Again from my construction business) Don't need much in the way of over the counter meds. Never been sick a day in my life. Not even a sniffle...LOL But I hear what you're saying. I'll be laying in a large supply of Alieve as I've beaten myself up pretty good over 30 years of building. I take 2 each morning to keep the old bones going.

I definitely need to get a broadband wireless card from my cell phone provider. I have a nice wireless laptop but I don't want to pay for access at the truck stops. Plus, I trade the Forex market and will need the Internet in places it's not available.

Now I was thinking "Sirius radio" <<(spelling), is there a difference between that and XM?

Two inverters? I was thinking about just one 2000w and hard wired. Are you recommending the plug ins in case I need a loner truck if mine breaks down and/or I leave W/S?

I need and will get the driver points cards, rubber made containers (and the cheaper ones for food as I cook meals in a crock pot and then separate them, keep em in a cooler and use the microwave to heat them up), a TV eventually but as of now, my laptop can get TV (not sure how yet but it can) and it's plays DVDs as well. It has a 19" wide screen.

I'll need to get a good 12V cooler/fridge too but I have a good Igloo from the job so for now, I'll be buying ice...LOL I also have a nice 5 gallon Igloo cooler for water. It has the spicket on the bottom so I'll get water at Wally World and fill that as well. I drink "mostly" water to stay hydrated. Soft drinks and such don't do it and actually make you more thirsty.