Training at Crete

Finally got the official okay to go super solo, and quite frankly had to use it on that last load getting me home. Spent some good quality time at home and then set out again on Wednesday of week 5. Trainer was under a load when he picked me up. It was due in Iowa. From there, we had a run to Virginia. No problems so far and I think it was Friday. My trainer was due for home time again on Monday. It was now week 6. We had been talking to training about releasing me before my trainer went home. They said that because I come from no experience, I must complete week 6 before being released. Oh well, another few days in the hotel in St Louis. Deal with it.
What I said in the last post about the going-home loads came true again. In Virginia, we were supposed to have a drop and hook headed back west. It was supposed to be ready by 1400. We got there about 1530, and they said we will call you when we have a door available. Ha! So much for drop and hook. Didn't get into a door until 2030, and didn't get the call that they were finished until 0030. We spent 9 hours on a live load when it should have been drop and hook. Talked to a few other drivers that were sitting around, and they all had the same story. I'll find a way out of a load at that place if I ever see it come up on another preplan.
Had to super solo that one to get my trainer home on time. After sitting in the hotel, he picked me up yesterday morning. We grabbed a load close by that we dropped in Atlanta earlier today. Thankfully it was a drop and hook. Then 35 miles up the road to Covington for another drop and hook. Only problems with these loads was a trailer tire blowout on the first load, and 2 and a half hours to get out of Atlanta on the second.
When the tire blew (front left inside on the trailer) it completely bent the tandem release bar, broke the linkage, and nearly released the tandem pins. Thing is, we didn't hear or feel it. If I wasn't checking my mirrors, I might not have known until we stopped. This happened right outside of Metropolis, IL. You know...the official home of Superman. Anyway, we were able to limp into a rest area to survey the damage. Called breakdown. They had to call two different guys to come out. One for the tire, another for the tandems. Surprisingly, both showed in about 30 minutes. They made the necessary fixes, and we were out of the rest area in just about an hour and a half. Score one for breakdown!
So week 6 is officially over, and we are on a load headed for Utah with an approved out-of-route to drop me in Lincoln. Looks like we will get there on Sunday, and with the holiday I'll just sit in the hotel until the second round of orientation on Tuesday and Wednesday. Training says I should get my truck assignment Wednesday afternoon. Hopefully it will be in Lincoln and won't need any shop time. I'm ready to get that first load or two on my way home. As we know, we'll see how that goes.
Stay safe out there, drivers!

 

Doing okay. Thanks for asking! Finished training. Sat thru orientation for a couple days. Took a rental car to North Salt Lake to pick up my truck. Had the shop fix a couple quick things while there. Took a load from Ogden UT to Paris TX. Had to go to Terrell TX to find an empty. Then up to Lewisville for a load. That took all #### day. Ended up stopping at a love's with about 30 minutes left on my clock last night. Got up this morning and had a headlamp out. Put in a new bulb, but that isn't the problem. Currently sitting at a TA waiting for the shop to call me in. Looks like this load is gonna be delayed. And guess what....I've talked about this before. It's the load that gets me home. Go figure!
As I am done with training, I think I will leave this thread for other trainees to make comments on their journeys or to ask questions. I hope this thread will help anyone that is looking at getting into the industry or those going thru training. Give us your stories from training. Ask questions about training. All I ask is that we keep this as a civil and respectful learning thread.
Thanks to everyone for their input!
Stay safe out there, drivers!