Trenton 4/16/2012

Okay so day five. We went over pretrip with Bill and learned what to say and do for the test. there were some mentions of baby #######. Then we went out to the trucks and practiced backing in a straight line. My group of 3 started backing then found out we were only going half way lol. by that time we had switched to coupling to a trailer. That part was quite easy really. Had the tractor off a couple inches a couple times but it was still ok. Then we hopped into a truck and went around the millis 500 with a trailer attached. I think i did a great job when it was my turn. i checked my mirrors frequently and watched what the other drivers were doing since it was kinda busy at the terminal today. I was kinda nervous where the scales are since there was a ramp next to it. I thought it would be a tight fit. But i made it through easy. After a few laps i sat in the back while Scott drove. He also did very well. Then we went around with Dave. That is where it got really weird lol. Bill asked Dave if he wanted to hold hands and Dave said yes. So they held hands and sang "la la la" while swinging their arms together. LMAO. i almost died. I had to get out of the truck. So i went back to the backing area again to practice the whole distance. I for some reason could not figure out how to correct the drift. Bill came over and sat on the steps of the tractor and helped me a couple times and it clicked. I was waiting to long to correct back. It was a fun day and we are all getting the hang of it all. Went home for the weekend so i will update more on monday.

 

Here are a few photos of my week.

 

[ame]http://youtu.be/TY7jQ8GhsWI[/ame]

[ame]http://youtu.be/9N18fRPThXw[/ame]

[ame]http://youtu.be/MstP3mvoPXc[/ame]

couple of vids i shot. short ones.

 

So i am at home. Did my homework. Did my laundry. now i am just relaxing and talking to the wife about finances. Should be good for the next few weeks. Just gotta pay my car payment next saturday. Gonna catch up on some shows and then get some sleep. Then it is back to the hotel tomorrow. I think i will pack some food with me this time so i dont have to eat out every meal. That gets a little pricey sometimes.
I will try to take some more pictures and little videos next week. I just dont want to get in trouble doing it. See ya next week.

 

Day 6 done. I started the day with the pre trip inspection. I was a little rusty at first but after I got to the back of the tractor I started nailing everything. I think I did a good job since I have only seen it once. Next was parallel parking and 90 degree alley dock. My group started with the parallel. We did have some trouble at first but we figured it out and I got 3 or 4 good ones in a row. Then it was lunch time. Greg's wife made chicken pot pie and meatballs and slutty brownies as bill calls them. It was all so delicious and free. We thanked her a billion times. It was back out to the range after lunch for more backing. The groups switched and we had alley dock. I did good my first shot then had a couple of misses and a couple hits. I couldnt really figure it out like I did with the parallel. After a couple hours of that we switched back and its like I forgot everything. I could not nail a parallel for the life o me. I did get a passing one at the end there. It was a good day. Some frustration from not getting the moves but overall a good day.

 

Day 7. Today was more backing up (no way you have to back up in a truck?) Yes way. We did the blindside parallel and offset backing. My group started with offset. After a few very bad tries (see so crooked you couldnt see where the barrels went) we got our act together and started nailing them. We may or may not have slighty moved some barrels with the trailer but we got better with each try. For some reason I can do things better on the blind side. For the most part we were just messing up because we were rushing it too much. So after lunch we switched to the blindside parallel. After jeff drove off with a barrel under the front bumper for about ten feet we got down to business. Once again the blindside was easier for me. I think it is because of all the practice from yesterday and earlier today but we were nailing this manuver every time. I had jeff film me while I attempted to pull off the manuver again which turned into a hilarious time. I did get the truck in the box but I was worried about it a little. As soon as I can get the video to upload to youtube from my phone I will link it. If not I will have to do it this weekend when I get home. So another good day on the range. Everyone is doing good. Tomorrow is more of the same. I will try to take more videos.

 

[ame]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jia8nGlgNzQ[/ame]

 

Yeah that is Jeff. He is a good guy. Already knows how to drive. Just needed a refresher. You shouldnt have him long.

 

Well day 8 is over. Tons more backing today. Got the 90 alley dock down. The others are mostly figured out. I know what you are thinking.... It was chicken wednesday!!! I have never seen bill move so fast. He was parked and inside ordering before we got the van turned off. Then back on the range for more backing. We had a good time and really got them mostly figured out. Tomorrow is the big day though. We are going out on the open roads together for a small road trip to celina ohio. Should be fun. So if you see our training truck please dont tell us we are number one because we already know.