Starting my career at Millis

My 'guess' is his weight - we were out inspecting the trailors and showing how to load/unload bulkheads.. he tried to get in but didn't want to take up too much time tring to climb in/out. Others from the class have told me that he told them something along that line, but he didn't directly say anything to me so it's just speculation. All I can actually confirm was that Greg did mention that we now have nine in the class.

 

Well folks, week one done. Boy, what a day today. We had some basics to cuppling/uncuppling yesterday - intro stuff and a bit of practice. Today, we halved the day into more drop/hook went to lunch and then split the class. Half went on the yard for more drop/hook and the rest (my group) out to play on the freeway. By the end of the day - I needed a beer. All I really want to say is that in the first couple of days, really watch who is getting their info down and has the skillset in the yard out of the starting gate. Pick up on who's getting it down and fairly close and who's going to be needing more time to 'work out the kinks'. Once you can identify those that have got it from the ones that don't - keep that in mind for the 'grouping' on the open road cause it's only up to six in a truck at a time.. it's nerve racking to see a fellow student stalling out the clutch on any on ramp/off ramp. It's even more unsettleing to see others strugle with the gears on the highway at 45 - 55 mph. Practice with them cause it's most likely going to be you in the passenger seat sweating it right along with the ones that aren't hacking it... and that's not the best for you or the company.

In a related note.. I didn't get to ride up/down I-75 today. I was last to go in my group and found my instructor directing me down St. Rte. 136 W or 156 W back to St. Rte. 441 S.. I'm from the area and know this road fairly well. Turning right back onto Cass White Rd to go back to the shop - I thought I was in sixth.. turns out I was in eight gear... (preped the downshift and found the gear before the turn) released the clutch in the turn though. I had to ride the curb with the tandoms just to keep from jumping into the back of this car that found its way to the stop as I approached the intersection from behind the blind of the buildings on that corner. Whew. I knew that I could curb it if needed in a situation, planning ahead - just didn't think that it would actually happen. I'll be out again on Monday with that same group - I just want to find some more time on the highway this round (espically cause we're not bobtailing this go round) and gett a bit more fimilar with the particulars of that shifter box.

Once again - Practice till your blue in the face in the yard and ask plenty of questions there. Getting out and about isn't the time to find you, or anyone in your cab, out of touch with the controls.

 

I believe they have Eaton-Fuller 10's in two and one 13? in the trainer trucks at my yard in Cartersville. I'm fairly sure the Kenworth and the Freightliner have the 10's. Looking forward to tomorrow with an empty trailer on the interstate. I'll have a nice comparison from bobtail to gauge the slowing process with the brakes - I'm not sure, but it seems the trucks without a trailer feel a bit touchy in the brake; maybe with a trailer added to the system the pedal will be a bit more spongy or have a bit more travel before I feel the breaks grab like it's trying to stop on a dime at the top of the pedal?