|
|
|
Barb's School Journal Female, age 37
Introduction
When my husband got laid off from his company after 23 years, we decided to try truck driving. My daughter is 17 and has her drivers license now. What does she need us for anymore? (except to pay the bills) We're going to team and we hope it will be a lot of fun.
First 2 weeks The first week of training was fun. We sat in the classroom and did some of the written tests and learned how to do logs, be safe, winter driving techniques, etc. I went at night but my husband was in the day class. Made life a little easier. Anyway, the instructor was really funny but he taught me a lot. He had lots of life experience and he shared it with us when it fit the topic we were discussing. I almost didn't want to start week 2 (the driving). Anyway, I passed, got my writtens done at DMV the 3rd day into the class. I started wondering why this one woman was even coming to class. She didn't seem to want to learn anything. Oh well. My husband went to take his written tests and found out that his license had been suspended in New York state 27 years ago. How the heck did he get a license in WA then? We're getting it fixed and life should be hunky dory (hopefully).
Anyway, I'm at the end of week 2. I'm going to the day classes now with my husband. They won't train us in the same truck but I can understand why. We'd probably be nitpicking each other constantly. But, I have a female instructor and 2 other students in my group this week. The instructor is either easier on me because I'm female or I'm doing better than the 2 guys. I hope it's the latter. I'll find out when we change instructors next week.
I've clinched my up-shifting but my down-shifting still needs improvement. I have learned that backing a semi is very stressful and something I really don't want to do. But I do it anyway. You know what they say. Practice makes perfect. Or, at least, practice makes a little better. I almost took out a stop sign the very first turn I made. The instructor had to pop out the emergency brake. It was a definite eye opener. I've done my turns 100% better since that near miss.
We're going into week 3 on Monday. I still get a lot of anxiety the night before I drive but my instructor said that it's normal. I hope she's right. We've already been pre-hired at a trucking company for Team OTR drivers. I should be starting on the 4th of Dec. I'm really excited (and nervous). I hope I do well.
Well, I'll write again next week. As long as I don't take out any stop signs.
3rd Week of Training We did a lot of driving this week. I had my favorite instructor, too. He drives me crazy but he's very easy to drive for. I had to do a lot of backing this week because I really don't do very well with that. My up-shifting is very good, my down-shifting is 100% better than it was the first 2 weeks. I'm cornering better also.
We took our bus test on Friday. I got stuck being the first one to test. I wasn't too pleased about that. But I survived. And passed. I'll be taking my Class A test on Monday morning. I'm having anxiety attacks. My instructors say it's normal. I hope so. Well see what happens.
Finally Done We finally graduated on Wednesday. I got my license on Monday and we went on our grad-run on Wednesday. One of the trucks had a little accident. He swapped mirrors with another truck. It was the students fault. We were driving on some narrow roads and the other truck kind of swerved to close to the students truck. He felt so bad. We tried to tell him that it wasn't his fault but he still felt bad.
We finally got New York State to take the suspended license crap off of my husbands record. God, did they give us the run-around. It was like they were holding us hostage. But, they said they would fax the information to some person the school knows at the Dept. of Licensing and he should be able to get his license now. WOO HOO!!!
We go to orientation with Gordon Trucking tomorrow. The recruiter said he may have a little problem finding a female trainer that smokes for me. I told him that if he doesn't find one in 1 week, I'll quit smoking. I can't afford to wait to long. I'll lose the knowledge I've just gained the longer I wait. Plus, I really need the money.
Anyway, I'll try to write during my training with the company and let others know what to expect.
KEEP ON TRUCKING, BABY. GOTTA KEEP ON TRUCKING. (very old, bad song)
Correction
I stated that it was the Students fault in the accident. I meant to say it "wasn't" his fault. Sorry!!
|
|
