April Fools
 

First of all, I have been living on this board off and on for the last 3 months trying to absorb as much info as I can. Thank you, there are a ton of knowledegable folks here. Anyway, I start my CDL course on "1 April". I am an old dog trying to learn new tricks. I retired 6 years ago from the military after serving for 22 years. I spent most of my time overseas (18 of 22 years), and I have NOT seen as much of the USA as I would have liked to.

I interviewed with Schneider about 7 years ago whilst I was stationed in Germany, as I was tempted to dive in cold turkey and do the training and low pay OTR for the first year with them (you know the story/routine). Anyway, the kids are older now, and I feel that I am about 2-3 years away from doing OTR full time (if I can cut the mustard?). At least I will have the advantage of having paid for my CDL. It does seem to present better options.

Also, my CDL course runs over 10 weekends, as I will be keeping my current job and try to work part time (weekends) for the next 2-3 years.
Lastly, I will try to keep good notes and contribute back to this board (lessons learned/etc..) if/as they merit. Hopefully, I can build up enough miles so I can be at least be considered experienced. Albeit maybe only 6 mos - 1 year when I go full time?

Bottom Line: Thanks again for the good, bad and ugly insight. I have had some chats with some of the recruiters and posters on this board. They have been "straight up". I have been wanting to chase this passion for over a decade and things are finally starting to lineup. It's Time!

Congrats on the 22 yrs-Now you have the best of both worlds-Drawing your pension and are able to pick and choose-You CAN teach an "Old Dog"? new tricks and of course you can "Hack it"
Good Luck

Yoopr
 

Thanks Yoopr. I enjoy reading your posts.

I think you can sometimes do better after you have a few years on you. Some of the pressure to run will be off of you with your military pension. As we age, we learn better how to pace ourselves. You will do fine. Good luck. 8) My first travel trailer was a Nomad. :wink:

Welcome to the club, Nomad. 20 years military here and 7 years civil service. An injury led my to have to leave civil service or drive a desk. Guess which choice I made. I'll be starting driving soon so we can exchange experiences as newbies here. Good luck to ya.

Hey Gman,

I may be getting repetitive but thanks for the well wishes!!!


Good luck to you too Deadmeat. I think it is going be a case of the tortoise (me) and the potential hare (you). Unless something unexpected happens I will be taking the slow road, so I hope to read your success stories. All the best!!

Nomad, I think I "get" your Avatar. We are kin of sorts. I'm known as Hobo. GolfHobo actually. That's because I'll go anywhere to play a new golf course. (but that is just a facade.)

I really envy your 18 years abroad. I've done some, but squandered part of it. But, I've seen nearly ALL of the U.S! It's probably the most beautiful country in the World. Not that others aren't more so in some respects. But, over a great spanse of geography, we have bits of ALL forms of terrain and fauna.

I meet people everyday, in the 'other world,' who've NEVER been out of the state they were born in! :shock:

The best part of this job is getting to drive through this beautiful country! I hope you get time along the way to meet some of the "natives." :lol:

One question. When you were growing up, stateside... did you move around or did you enlist from smalltown, USA, and go to see the world?

Hobo

GolfHobo
 

Hey GolfHobo,

I think we are on the same page concering the Avatar. :D

I am still getting used to this site as far as posting picks/links go, so I will attach one of my favorites. Europe was a blast. I am married to a Britt (brought the Limey back...lol). She is a great lady. It took me awhile to adjust. Especially since I did not return the USA much. I went for an 8 year stretch once (being away). I was born in New Hampshire. When I was 10 my dad (a baker) decided to try out LA $$$$$$ (Calif). He worked at VONS bakery for over 20 years. That worked out for him. I would have to complete my book to explain the rest, but lets just say that we arrived in LA just in time for the Watts riots and things did not get much rosier afterwards. All but one of my 3 brothers left as soon as they could. Two of us joined the Air Force after High School (escape from LA...lol).

So as far as the States go. First 10 years in NH, Next 10 LA. Two years in Spokane Washington (military), Two years in San Antonio (mil). I am now in Maine (semi-Gods country 8). I did travel quite a bit while in the USA, but not the way I want to. "Not Like TRUCKING".

Hope that answers your "good" questions.


I always had to adjust my pacemaker before entering j/k

http://www.swindonweb.com/life/lifemagi1.jpg

welcome to the board nomad.


btw, where in europe is this traffic disaster pictured located?

Thanks Whodat,


Here is the link on the Roundabout. In Swindon England.

http://www.swindonweb.com/life/lifemagi0.htm

I was stationed at a base called RAF Fairford (in the Cotswolds) about 20 miles away, but I lived near Swindon.

Cheers,

Nomad

This is scary. I think I actually understand it! And I've never driven in a backwards country before. :lol:

The outer circle (normal for Brits) allows quickest access to the 2 spurs to your left.

The inner circle allows quickest access to the 2 spurs to your right.

The tiny circles allow you to merge into the inner circle and also to perform a U-turn to go back down the street you started on, and to go from the inner circle back to the outer circle if you change your mind (or lose it!) or from the outer to the inner. :shock:

Hey! I think I saw this in a T/A truckstop in Amarillo once! :roll:

Do I get a T-shirt now?

ha ha ha . the magic roundabout. scary in atruck i can tell you! where,s he? how did she get there? is she gonna hit me? is he an idiot or what? help i want me mum! :lol:

Part-Time?
 

Funny stuff, but I have a serious question or two.
As I mentioned I will be starting my 10 Weekend CDL course in on 1 April.
I will be training with Northeast Tech Institute in Scarborough Maine (near Portland). It is a 200 hour course that includes the following endorsements:
Hazardous Materials
Tank
Doubles/Triples
Air Brakes

The difference is I will only be seeking to work part-time for a few years, and I do not see a lot of conversation on this board about part-time opportunities for INEXPERIENCED CDL drivers. Places like Fedex and UPS are probably out as I am not a student. I have a 8-5 job and unless I have a bad hair day or get the SUPER MAD itch to dump it all and make a lot less money initially doing OTR -- getting experience is going to be tough. Especially living in Maine!

I will only be able to work for 6PM to midnight and or Weekends so OTR and Regional is out. I have researched some potential places, and I have not started to network HARD yet.

One of my questions is what will local miles count for later?
Any OTR credit? I am sure that depend on the company?

Example: somebody that interviewed at my company (non trucking) was putting in 400-600 miles a nite throughout Maine (18 wheeler) while he was going to school. I wonder how much OTR credit he would get since he was doing it for 2 years -- were he to take up Trucking as a profession?

Anyway, I am sure I will network and learn more during school, but I was wondering if anybody here (the board) has been "been there -- done that":

1) Paid for their schooling (versus the school mill)
2) Gained experience through part-time work (versus the school mill)
3) Succesful in getting OTR credit. If so, how much? What was your experience?
4) From the endorsements above, what do folks think the is the best for getting SEAT TIME as a part-timer?

Cheers,
Nomad

Looks like some of the Roads on the Base I was out of north of Baghdad with the exception of the Green Grass :P

So Yoopr, was that recent times or when places like Libya ran resorts? :P

One down 9 to go
 

Well, I started CDL training on 1 April as planned. Nothing too exciting as we won't be touching the trucks for the next 4 weeks. This is a weekend only class which lasts 10 weekends. Should get decent behind the wheel time as we have only 13 students. We had 15 originally. One is doing a refresher, so he went to the yard after day #1. Another quit after the first day of training. Demographics: Two females, one of which is a school bus driver (Class B) and the other already has some experience (exposure) with her partner, but she does not have a CDL A. We have 2 Green card guys from Eastern Europe and another Latin green card holder. I would say that 40-50 percent of the class have been exposed to heavy equipment or 18 wheelers (from conversation). All in all is seems to be a good group. One of the trainees (previous class) and instructor did come by with a truck day #2 and the usual gawking, intrepidation, fear came over us wannabes (some worse than others). Then one of the instructors made it worse by whistling (with actual whistle) at somebody in our group for climbing in the cab incorrectly (no 3 points of touch at all times). We had not even covered that yet, so we got an early lesson (SAFETY). The instructor spelled out how unless we want ro risk having a face that looks like a partially chewed Big Mac to do it right (SAFETY).

So I got my first sit in a Tractor (Volvo) yesterday. The first thing that jumped out at me was not the size but the blind spots. Anyway, mostly book stuff until we hit the yard in May, so not much further to say.

I look even more forward to my weekends now :D

2 down 8 to go
 

Well, we still have our heads in the books. Besides the seemingly endless videos and General Knowledge tests, we did get into more of the daily/monthly logs and double clutching this weekend. Seeing how we don't hit the yard for another 3 weeks, I will have to continue with practicing the phantom Gear patterns and Double Clutching using the hotel room lamp pole :roll:

I did make one observation (maybe it has already been coverered on this site. I have not checked). Another bennie of being an O/O is the DAC. We were going over the log books and the fines and how the LOGS are a legal record. I asked the instructor if they can effect your DAC. He said "what is a DAC"?

I looked back at him stunned until he explained (again) that he has been an O/O since day one. Makes sense, but I was surprised that DAC had not come up in conversation (Truck stops etc..) in his 10 years of trucking. I believe he had 6 over the road.

Hence, I have a rookie question for O/O's. When you contract with Carriers as an O/O does the DAC ever come up or become part of your history. Or does DAC exclusively pertain to company drivers?

Thanks in advance

Nomad wrote:

Yeah.... right!! Bet I know what you REALLY use to practice shifting! :shock: :lol:

Good news is... you can practice anytime! :lol:

Good question about DAC. I'd like to know the answer, too.

I believe dac is everywhere....

Thanks, I think :?: :idea: :?: (lol.. I did leave the "pole line") wide open) :oops:


On the DAC question, I did post it separately. Here is the thread:

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=16389

Well 3 weekends down -- 7 to go.

Took our DOT physicals.
Got a visit from the schools placement officer.
Said that it was part of our Curriculum to fill out the 12 Apps (J.B. Hunt, Swift, Sneider.... you know the routine) and have them done by next week. I took him aside afterwards and said "not me-doing part-time only" another guy is still serving (long commitment) in the military and another guy that owns his own construction business, so he is just there for the CDL A "period". He backed off on the mandatory curriculum remark. It's a numbers game, and he is after the $600 per student referral fee.

He did have one interesting note. There is a new dedicated regional job for "Poland Springs" (the mineral water company) that runs from Southern Maine to PA. Guess they are looking for 35 drivers.
They being: http://www.howolding.com/Drivers/Dri...8/Default.aspx

Anyway, an Howolding recruiter is coming next week, so I will get further details.


Anyway, after the head games it was 10 hours of Hazmat (we are not done yet :shock: ). Had Sunday off.

I went to get Hazmat finger printed on Monday, took about an hour. I had to continually dip my fingers in ICE. I usually run pretty hot and it was affecting the image device :wink:

In Maine you can simply do the written tests for Endorsements, so I will get everything but Passenger. I don't even think Maine allow Triples to run in the state?

That's about it. One more weekend of books and it's off to 4 weekends (if needed) of the yard. I will take every hour of practice that I can get whether I graduate early or not.

Closed Book
 

Well the Maine Students all met at the DMV in Portland. I think I overheard Success stories from all in passing their writtens. The Mass and NH students get their turn next week. So I have my N,X, and T endorsements. Some of us get to start grinding gears this weekend in the yard and work on Pre-Trips. (Hmm I better bring some headsets as the NFL draft is taking place (that is another story :wink: ). After the test I took a stroll down memory lane driving the US Rt 1 heading North. I made the same trip 8 years ago whilst scouting out Maine, NH, and Vermont in a Coachman (Bus) RV. Looking for where I might retire from the Air Force with my family. It was a clear day, so it was a nice drive through Bath, Freeport (LL Bean HQ) and Camden (Where Peyton place was filmed in the late 1950's). I did not go as far as Bar Harbor this time, but I regained those images that drew us to Maine the first time. Instead I went to watch a High School Base Ball game, as my son's HS was playing Camden HS. However, first I stopped and treated myself to a Lobster meal, but held off on the Guinness 8).

Finally getting behind the wheel -- been waiting nearly 50 years!!!



PS: I said I would share more info on the H.O. Wolding recruiter visit.
Probably because H.O.W is having to pay competitors to help with their Dedicated contract to Poland Springs (mineral water company in Maine).
But they are making a mad push to get drivers for this contract. As I said, 35+ to do regional Maine to PA, Mass and occasional runs to home base (WI). I do not have the pamphlet in front of me, but they seem to be fair to the newbee driver in pay. Albeit the .36 per mile as a rookie also includes Bonus and safety miles (that are supposedly regularly achievable). Thus bringing the flat rate to the usual .27 - .29 range for starters. Other than that they appear to have some good options for rookies and experienced drivers.

http://www.h-o-w.com/

Just putting more notes down, so I can hopefully laugh at them later. Been behind the wheel now for the last two weekends. I am far from the Natural that I was hoping for, but at least I am not a Natural Disaster.
It is amazing how things can go North (good) and South (bad) in one day.

Example: Saturday, I was Double Clutching with Ease (Up and Down the gears) and Sunday I am forgetting to go through Neutral and rushing. Took a temporary confidence hit. I finally adjusted to the different truck and got-er rolling again. Reminded me not to get too comfortable.

Straight backing seems to be licked (in school environment and with NO-LOAD), as I am consistently getting it done right in 9 different trucks. Even in feared Truck #107. I guess there is always one lemon in most lots -- #107 is ours. Just started T-Backs and Angled alley backing (Cones). I can Jack-Knife with the best of them during a T-back.
I started doing GOAL every 20 feet and things started to make sense as far as the approach goes. I tried the Instructor's formula/advice, but it did not work out for me. Maybe I will do better next weekend. simulated alley backing (half moon) turn went well as long as I could cheat and put my head out the window. Using just the mirrors is another story. I ran out of time (had to go on the road) before I could attempt to perfect or at least make better.

Anyway, I having a blast. I am less nervous on the road and I seem to be taking turns, communicating, and handling risk well enough. I left on a high as far as shifting goes (in traffic)... SOOOOO much to learn!

More notes since 8 May. Been working on the usual yard work (Backing, Parallel, Blind Alley). I am getting used to working the mirrors. Still make the occasional error and have to GOAL -- but no show stoppers in training. Got a LOT of road time this past weekend. Compared to last weeks flooding and torrential down pour, we had decent weather this weekend. The reason we had a lot of driving time was due to the nearby (share same parking lot) horse track (Scarborough Downs) had one of their larger venues of the year. All the trucks and students were out of the yard ALL DAY on Saturday. Our crew clocked 386 miles. Got to do a ton of driving in diverse situations (Highway, Congested Portland City traffic, Coastal, Mountain, Valley, through road construction, and wide open Western Main country roads). I also got to hear a lot of trucking stories.


Our instructor mentioned how he hauled for "Pride". I guess they had the lions share (97%) of the world market for Golf Tees. They had a few locations that were in production (Iron Mountain, WI, Burnham Maine and another that escapes me). Anyway, the only location left is the Burnham location and the lions share has been reduced to 55% due to offshore competition (Chinese). Still a lot of production, but seasonal. It appears that the Burnham factory is either running flat out or laying off.. Not good!

After getting out of the mountains and hills my instructor asked me if I had driven at these locations before. I said no (wondering?). He said I did really well. All I know is I have never worked the mirrors so hard. Lots of tight corners, choppy edges, steep climbs, drops. Invigorating for a Newbe student. I remember coming out of the hills somewhere near Rumford or Bethel Maine? there were these two kids fishing on a rural bridge begging me to pull the string (Horn) with an eager youthful 12 year old look of anticipation. When I did not they showed their displeasure and iconic middle finger....lol... I saw that in the mirror too.
My comrades were wondering why I was laughing. Later on I nearly hit a flagger as new tar was being put down and the crew only left 2 to 3 inches of clearance on either side of the cones (right side only). Good practice, but it was not the yard, and after dropping of the left side once, I informed the instructor that I might be taking out some cones. He said proceed as he really did not want the drop off to the left again. No cones dropped, but I missed a flagger's head by 2 inches. Even going at 7 MPH it would have hurt. :roll:

Just 3 weekends left, and it is off to find that elusive part-time weekend job. I do have some leads. One is for a lumber yard. I know they are part of the Poland Springs Subcontractor's for Wolding's -- the gig I would like to get is running from Southern Maine (Gray) to Bucksport (Near Bar Harbor) to the international paper plant. I spoke with the HR person and they will assess my skills after I get my CDL. If accepted, I will have to do some limited training with them and go on as a casual per-diem driver.

We will see. First things first!

Well I have had an interesting time these last few weeks. Relocated my son to LA (Northridge) to become part of new business venture with his cousins (Saves on the old COLLEGE FUND.. not his bag anyway). Whilst I was in LA several opportunities presented themselves (business with family). I also revisited places that I have not seen since 1981 from Redondo to Oxnard beaches and inland to Ojai.

If I do go back to SO CAL, Malibu and North are the only parts where I could feel comfortable (for my wife's sake) The family business is in Bel Air (sofar), so I got to see some celebs and OH THOSE NICE CARS! LOL!

My Bro is now working of Franchising (hence opps).

Anyway, upon return I got a few more practices in and past my driving test today. Got Hazmat, Dbl/Triples and Tanker endorsement. Will be looking for the part-time (weekend) job now. Luckily I will be doing it for just fun of it (no pressure). We will see how long the muse lasts?, as I am also taking some college courses (soaking up the last of my VocRehab/GI bill money) that interest me (writing). That should keep me busy for a year. Then I will reengage in language learning. Rosetta Stone (language) Software Rocks!

Being married to Mexican lady and living in the Barrio in my younger years and living in Germany for 6 years -- plus taking 2 years (college courses) each in both languages, I have a head start. Albeit rusty.

Not too much more to add. Just seeing where the next life twist takes me.

Just keeping the uneventful journal going. Well I did have an event actually. I got my first truck driving gig. Local job in Western Maine.
Hauling eggs from production farm to the distributor. I will try not to make a mess of it :lol: .

Anyway, it does involve driving a reefer, so this is where I start. That and it is a 53' and not just "straight truck" driving. The company is ma and pop and extremely down to earth (like most Mainer's). Just driving on Sunday's and Saturday's if I want them. I am a happy camper to have found this P/T gig coming out of the gates!

CONGRATS! Nomad

Glad you got P/T work so quickly. Tell us more about the gig. Are you paid by the mile or hourly? If miles, how many do you get per day, and what rate? Curious because someday I may want to come to Maine and work locally. Always wanted to try out that "experience."

I think there's a forum on Reefers here. Should give you some good info. Been meaning to check it out myself. One thing I've found is that companies often do very little PM on reefer units. Look inside the door and steal a book on them. Learn the codes, etc., as you don't have much time to act when they fail.

And disregard all instructions on using a pulp thermometer! :lol:

Hobo

Hey hobo,

This is an extremely part time gig. I only work on Sundays. Saturdays if I want it, but I am also taking on-line college courses and holding a full time job, so I have to leave some time for the family.

The pay is hourly. It is a shuttle job. I just bounce back and forth between different farm sites. Furthest is approx 30 miles. Which if I remember correctly, I will not need to keep a log book? (under 100 miles and not interstate). All back roads except a few miles here and there. Very little drop and hook, if any. I just leave full and drop off. There is a little lumping on both ends (in air conditioned bays), but not much. The Farms are part of a network (combined contracts). However, there is also regional work. Meaning there are several runs throughout New England to the End Customers (Shaws, Hannafords "supers grocery stores", etc...). I don't see any of that action (yet).

I feel very fortunate to have found this job, but I did not leave too many stones unturned. First impression, the people are terrific, and the docking is dead easy. I will post as I learn more. I am taking a day off work this weds to learn more about the routes, reefer units and other operational bits. I will then work the next 2 weekends with a trainer and go solo after that. In comparison to most experiences that I have read on this and other boards --- this is a YAWN for newbe drivers! But I am still excited.

Cheers,
Nomad

Well the first 3 days of training and working (ACTUALLY DRIVING) went well. I can say one thing, I will get enough practice backing up (6-10 times a day) -- and some are pretty challenging (even moreso in the winter). It's good to get behind the wheel again. I have not been in a truck since 26 June. It showed :roll:

Lot's of rolling hills with heavy loads, tight bridges, tight back ups.
Everything a rookie could ask for ....lol.

Seems like I have delivered over a million eggs and it's only been about three weekends of doing this job. I do about 60% lumping (power jacks) and 40% driving. I have lost about 15 pounds so far. I have a lot of desk jocky fat, so it is easy. The days average between 9 and 12 hours.
I am learning a lot . Going solo this weekend. I have always had respect for Truck Drivers, now I know a little more why. This small glimpse/exposure confirms how hard it REALLY must be do trucking full-time, or moreso, OTR. I am still loving it. I think I need to work on my Spanish a little more. The Mexican workers can make you or brake you in setting up the loads. If I can only rememeber all of those Spanish Cuss words that my X-wife told me. Just kidding. Actually we enjoy the banter, and I am starting to pick up on my old Spanish vocabulary. Actually I am getting some "Rosetta Stone" Spanish Language software. I heard it is top notch. The Military Defense Language School (in Monterey Calif) supposedly uses it (Rosetta Stone Software) to teach the troops (several language choices). I never expected to be reintoducing myself to the Spanish language in rural western Maine.

http://www.thisoldtoy.com/new-images...-egg-truck.jpg

Rookie Day out
 

Well, I nearly had scrambled eggs. First solo outing was a Murphy's law day.

- 8 AM Pretrip revealed no rear left directional (broken, fuse??)
- I make 6 lefts and one right during my run.
- Rainy day
- Travel from point A to Point B (empty) 25 miles -- no problem.
- Arrive and partially loaded -- Reefer does not start. Tried about 6 other times througout the day as the tank is only 1/4 full. We had an earlier episode of the tank running low (during training).
- Shuttle approx 10 pallets of eggs to and fro local plant sites with no reefer. Nobody at Warehouse when I deliver. Need to have them sign the BOL later. Luckily I know my way around their warehouse, and I have a power jack handy.
- Decided to take a full load back to the main warehouse without reefer.
Supposedly there is a 2 hour window of shelf life safety and the run is only 30 minutes. Yes, I tried to call for instructions. This is a Sunday, so I have no luck. Plus my trainer is on vacation (this is a small operation).

- Speed kills, I hurry more than usual and catch some adverse camber on the country roads -- LET THE SWAY BEGIN. I had a feeling I would pay for the action later. I DID. When I unload at the main warehouse, my pride takes a beating. 1/4 of the load is tilted (one way or the other) off its pallets. Manual labor is NOW invoved to repallet several pallets. ROOKIE WRITTEN ALL OVER ME. Plus having my zipper down probably half the day did not help...lol..

Anyway, after several odd looks and cursing, we sort things out. Of course the pallets (with eggs) that were still somewhat vertical had a hard time fitting in the rows of others that were PERFECT.

-- I now leave for round #2 and of course one of the foreman starts up the reefer unit like there was never a problem.

- I load with precision (like last time), but I also SLOW DOWN and drive with precision. Feeling good about recovering the day, I daydream and miss my rural exit off of my already rural road. I now have no idea where I will be able to turn around. I see an opportunity. It is dark, but I see a multi-family (apartments?) setting, where I can barely -- but safely make a left hand turn. Then swing around the wet and dirt parking lot.
I will need to avoid some thick bushes on my left and not run up on the grass on the right and miss the parked cars at the end of the U sweep.
The offtracking is tight but doable. This might be my only opportunity, so I go for it. Well half way through the turn, I find there is in fact a telephone pole hidden in the tall Bush, and I am 3 inches from being up against it (luckily I caught the pole in my mirror). I try backing up a few feet and realize that is not enough to make any affect (correction) going forward again.

- I GOAL, and I see I have a clear opportunity to back out and try again.
I stayed on the road. Good thing because there is a drop off on the passenger side. I pull up as far as I can, and I ride the lawn about 5 feet in. The lights all come on in the windows, and people are looking to claim some insurance $$$$$ here. I gain the necessary clearance on the pole (3 inches after passing), avoid the cars and do little scraping against the bush on the drivers side.

PFEW, I make it back to the Main Warehouse, and I hope like hell I have an even load. I do. It's now been a 12 hour day, and the foreman said, "it will be a 2 hour wait". There is no room in the warehouse.

I said, "If we can unload now, I will stay and help". If not, I have an hours ride home, so I am out of here. I did the latter.


Bottom Line: I have always prided myself in not making the same mistake twice. I doubt that I can achieve that in trucking, but I can try.
I did learn to DRIVE SLOW, you will only pay on the other end (UNDER ANY CONDITIONS).

I also learned that I can think and manuver in tight situations. All of the backing up I do on the job paid off. If I was a rookie that only drove forward 95% of the time, I would not have had the confidence nor ability to recover.

I doubt that I could have had a worse solo rookie day, but it strengthened me for the upcoming journeys.

Plus it gives me further appreciation for what some of you REAL TRUCKERS have to put up with on a daily basis and long periods of time -- AND YOU ARE NOT JUST ONE HOUR FROM HOME.

Have a SAFE Travel.

Nomad

Nomad: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Thanks for the belly laugh! Not AT you.... but WITH you! :lol:

I TOLD you to steal a book from inside the reefer door! Do you know about the manual start switch under the bottom of the "hood?" That's probably how the other guy got it started!

Tilting loads? Even with a powered pallet jack, you should be able to "run them in" against the wall to straighten them up.

Tight turns? Remember that you can slide your tandems up toward the cab to give yourself a tighter turning radius, then back again before you have to cross a scale. (Probably no scales on your routes anyways.)

All things considered, you did a good job! Remember that 50% of trucking is knowing how to think on your feet! And understanding Geometry!

Sounds like you've had the "load from Hell" that most of us get on our first day, or early on! :lol:

Don't worry.... from here on out, it's all down hill! Hmm.... No... that's not right! It's all UP hill! Hmmm.... No.... that's not fun either! Okay.... it's all smooth sailing!! :lol:

Point is.... you've met the beast and slayed him! The rest of your career should be a piece of cake! But remember, you can't make a cake without breaking some eggs! :lol:

You know, there probably ARE jobs in your area for "local" drivers - weekends only - to deliver loads brought over from Canada to receivers in the Northeast. Overnight runs only. Take a load from a DC in Maine to somewhere around Baltimore(?) and back home again! You'd be driving on paved roads with only ONE unload, and maybe a "backhaul." Or maybe some "seafood" from the coast and bringing back some badly needed toilet paper or something!

As for the Rosetta Stone? Didn't know that was what they called it.... but that's what I got at the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterrey, CA. If you want to change your mind and get out of trucking.... I suggest learning Arabic! [Wish I HAD!]

All in all, though, I think learning Spanish is a good idea! In a few years, it will be mandatory for getting a job here in the "good ole" United States of Amexico!

Keep posting! I need the comic relief! :lol:

Hobo

Hobo,

I am glad you enjoyed my little saga. Let me reply to your observations and comments below >>>>>>>>>>>>



Thanks for the belly laugh! Not AT you.... but WITH you!


>>>>>>:wink: No probs, I am a humble guy.



I TOLD you to steal a book from inside the reefer door! Do you know about the manual start switch under the bottom of the "hood?" That's probably how the other guy got it started!

>>>> Wish I was there to see. Actually he said he held down the preheat toggle for 4 seconds and WALAH (fired up).

I must have tried 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 seconds -- damn the bad luck :?



Tilting loads? Even with a powered pallet jack, you should be able to "run them in" against the wall to straighten them up.


>>>>>>>>SHHHHH, I did that when they weren't looking. Some were REALLY BAD or floating on other pallets waiting to fall.



Tight turns? Remember that you can slide your tandems up toward the cab to give yourself a tighter turning radius, then back again before you have to cross a scale. (Probably no scales on your routes anyways.)

>>>>> IF I decide to drive that fast again, I will remember that (doubtful) 8)





All things considered, you did a good job! Remember that 50% of trucking is knowing how to think on your feet! And understanding Geometry!

>>>> I survived and learned (I hope).

Sounds like you've had the "load from Hell" that most of us get on our first day, or early on!

Don't worry.... from here on out, it's all down hill! Hmm.... No... that's not right! It's all UP hill! Hmmm.... No.... that's not fun either! Okay.... it's all smooth sailing!!

Point is.... you've met the beast and slayed him! The rest of your career should be a piece of cake! But remember, you can't make a cake without breaking some eggs!

>>>> Winter is coming, I am sure I will have more chances. :shock:

You know, there probably ARE jobs in your area for "local" drivers - weekends only - to deliver loads brought over from Canada to receivers in the Northeast. Overnight runs only. Take a load from a DC in Maine to somewhere around Baltimore(?) and back home again! You'd be driving on paved roads with only ONE unload, and maybe a "backhaul." Or maybe some "seafood" from the coast and bringing back some badly needed toilet paper or something!

>>>> Yeah, I will be due for a change after a year I think. One thing that I like about this job is the backing up. I get a lot of practice and a lot of them are in tough terrain and tight situations. This winter will either make me or break me.


As for the Rosetta Stone? Didn't know that was what they called it.... but that's what I got at the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterrey, CA. If you want to change your mind and get out of trucking.... I suggest learning Arabic! [Wish I HAD!]

>>> I heard Arabic is in high demand (wonder why). It is low on my list for languages to learn since I have no interest in traveling to that part of the world, but I may pick it up at some point. So I hear that Presidio is a great school. Cost of living is high. My brother was an Air Force recruiter in Monterey, and I sent many folks there TDY to learn different languages/etc... How did you enjoy your stay?


All in all, though, I think learning Spanish is a good idea! In a few years, it will be mandatory for getting a job here in the "good ole" United States of Amexico!


>>>>>I know enough Spanish to be dangerous, now I will get legit.

Keep posting! I need the comic relief!

>>>>YES SIR! :P

Hobo

Quite an entertaining read Nomad, thanks. How 'bout posting some pics from your travels up in that neck of the woods. Sounds like a beautiful part of the country.

Thanks, I have been meaning to take my digital camera to do just that..
We are starting to get the changing of the leaves, I will see if I can get some snaps in in Sept! and post.

Hah...leaves starting to change already in Maine and it was 97 degrees today here in the inland valley of NorCal. Our leaves won't change until mid Nov.

Mine are starting too :x

It means the NFL regular season is just around the corner! :rock:

Just dropping a note. The egg job is getting a little boring, but finding another one day gig is hard to find. I will start probing the local market as there is not much more that I can learn from this job.

-No drop and hooks
- No log keeping
- No scaling
- No long distance driving
- No highway driving

I seem to do more backing up than I do moving forward.
I think I mentioned that it is really a glorified lumping position with 70 percent lumping and 30 percent driving. In case it is hard to find that next one day a week gig, I will offer to stay on call (work in emergency/vacation replacement situations), so my driving employment history will not have a gap.

peace!

Keeping the journal going (I don't deserve a BLOG) 8) .....

I accepted a job with a multi-faceted trucking firm today. Actually half way through the interview, they wanted (still want to) to offer me another "IT" management job. They said I could still do trucking PT :o
I have built a very reliable staff/team at my current job. I don't think I have the patience/luck to go through that arduous process again.

Anyway, I passed my DOT physical.

After visiting the doc today and seeing my blood pressure at 133 over 86, I might want to reconsider...lol. Actually it was only 108 over 78 two months ago. I have been stretching myself pretty thin lately with working full time, trucking part time, going to school and chasing my kids around.

You should have seen this guy (doctor) 6'4 with a floating eye. He reminded me of the John Coffey in the Green Mile.

http://triviana.com/film/gfilm/greentwp.JPG


He told me to lose 40 pound before my 50th birthday too (6 months away). I have had 3 DOT physicals in the last 6 months because of trucking school or employment. Let's just say I was treated like a rag doll, and I am no shrimp. At least the guy had a sense of humor.

Anyway, the new gig involves plenty of highway driving delivering (85% no touch) parts to 6 papermills throughout Maine. There might be the occasional night load too. But is mostly a weekend gig.

The rigs are Freightliner Daycabs (from what I saw at the customer's site). I start training next week. Oh, the Pay is 5-6 bucks an hour more than my last gig... 8). It will be a change from the 450 HP Volvo that I was driving. I did keep the door open with the Egg firm. Basically I will be a spare driver for both companies with loyalty and priority going to my new firm. I made that clear.

I am still trying to buck the system and go against the normal rookie grain..... so far so good. But the lessons will become harder. BRING IT ON!

:P