Trans Am Still

I am glad that things are better ....for now, passport. I am keeping my fingers crossed that TransAm allows you to finish this "tour of duty" with them on a good note.

Way to go Flying Jay! We are proud of you for doing so well! I know this was a rough time for you to be starting. How is your grandmother doing? Continued prayers for her health.

 

Jay learning that when in training on yard with empty trailers jacking them all the way up no problem working landing gear but with 40,000 plus not so easy. Why do people make us work so hard when the equipment can do it much easier? Maybe they should loaf those training trailers and make those trainers work the landing gear, bet that change the way they train

 

there is a perfect place right next door to olathe to practice hooking and unhooking... and having the yard switchers slamming the trailer down would be good practice

 

In Russellville Arkansas at the J. Will be departing around 1030pm headed to Temple GA for my next rest stop. Then finish the run in the wee hours of Friday morning to Columbia SC. Running good enough where I don't think I will be swapped out. About 800 miles to touchdown. Woke up this afternoon and felt like I was hung over. Only been hungover once in my life on a college band recruiting trip. That ended the drinking. And trucking won't make me start back up again either. Queenie, you have been missed! You are the catalyst of our blog. Deuces.

 

Well done Flying Jay!

Did you see the satellite message about 1 month back about working landing gear? Gave instructions to lower the landing gear to the ground then "give it two full turns".

I have heard a few ideas on what is the best position for the landing gear, I know "two full turns" is not it. I know some drivers keep the landing gear about 6 inches above the ground before they drop.

What is the agreed best practice? For me, I get the landing gear so that it is hovering about half an inch off the ground, drop the air bags and then go.

 

That is exactly how I show students passport. This way next driver doesn't have to work so hard cranking the landing gear

 

That's a good way to do it with TA, since y'all use the same trucks. Normally, I do it the same way. Different trucks tho, seem to have that "slightly" different height and what is good for us, isn't as good for them.

 

I don't even know what or how to comment on this one

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0406]


Commercial Driver's License Standards: Application for Exemption;
C.R. England, Inc.

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of application for exemption; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that C.R. England, Inc. (C.R. England) has
applied for an exemption from the Federal minimum training conditions
in 49 CFR 383.25(a)(1) that require a commercial learner's permit (CLP)
holder to always be accompanied by a commercial driver's license (CDL)
holder with the proper CDL class and endorsements seated in the front
seat of the vehicle while the CLP holder performs behind-the-wheel
training on public roads or highways. C.R. England requests an
exemption to allow CLP holders who have passed the CDL skills test but
not yet received the CDL document to drive a commercial motor vehicle
without being accompanied by a CDL holder, provided the driver has
documentation of passing the skills test. C.R. England believes that
the exemption, if granted, would allow such a driver to operate more
freely and in a way that benefits the driver, the carrier, and the
economy as a whole.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 29, 2014.


You can find the full summary here - http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-11-28/html/2014-28072.htm

 

Great minds think alike!

It is rare but it seems drivers are paying attention to a message from TA as I have noticed more cranked up high dropped trailers since that "two full turns" message.

If a dropped trailer is on reasonably level ground, one thing that I have noticed that helps: after checking I am hooked properly and air lines are engaged, I push in both buttons to release the brakes. Keep the brakes released for a three Mississippi count. This will allow any pressure built up from out of line landing gear to be released. Can often feel the truck and trailer jump forward an inch or two as the landing gear "pops" to a straight up and down position, then it is much easier to crank it up and go.