Comments By Leonard K.

This Friday I will be 41..

Just this year I got my CDL for a new career path.. Some may asked what changed..

Kids are getting older and able to take care of them selves... I have always want to drive.. Im leaving my self made business to do it.. but I can always fall back on my business if need be.

Ive been a fly fishing guide for the past 12 years.. Its the best thing you could imagine... You get paid to fish! But now I can fish other place it I get a lay over.. Just point me to a pond, creek,stream,river or lake.. and I will fish!

Just found out today that I probably wont have my license ready to go till the 16th. Missouri is slow .. I guess it takes 10 to 14 business days (maybe longer due to the holiday) for the DMV to process a CDL.. WOW

Any suggestion that can keep me sharp and be ready for my interviews. Im really looking into one company. Its a small family owned run mostly Ohio River Valley . Now does any body know anything about RBX Trucking out of Springfield Mo? But Ive got a stack of apps (about 25) filled out and ready..

Im trying to stay sharp by continuing studying the pre-trip.. Wish they was a way to practice backing. studying maps and reading a road atlas .

I guess I'll just have to spend the weekend mushroom hunting, fishing or squirrel hunting with my boys.

A quick walk around inspection could save you time and money. whenever you stop.. whats 5 minutes walking around the rig .. checking tires, locking pins,arms and latches.. making sure the back door is still secured (lock or seal not broken). nothing leaking.. under the truck.. Im not saying do a complete inspection.. besides.. a 5-10 minute walk is exercise (driver fitness!)

I was with a friend when he drove.. everyday he would walk around the rig check things.. I didnt know much about trucks at this time and he explained to me about inspection and what could happen if you dont do them..

one morning as we were leave a loud noise happened and he stopped to look to see what it was. A truck a couple of spots down from where we had been parked. Someone pulled a release arm for king pin and when the driver pulled away the trailer hit the ground..

Just coming out of school..

I must say I have some awesome instructors!!

Just like if you were in boot camp they drilled it in you .. but in a nicer fashion.

1. a tractor/trailer is a professional turtle... you are always going to go slow. ** Don't rush it!*** 2. rpms/gears.... the faster the higher ... the slower the lower! 3. Always be watching everything.. look for people, signs, bridges.. watch bridge heights .. you will be asked if you saw the height of the bridge bridge weight (she got me on this one!) ... watch as you go over one.. they will start talking to you and you better say focus and be nice..

and of course everyones favorite friend SAM...

One instructor told me... It is my GOAL to make SAM my friend!

what ever you do.. do not get over confident .. there are to many jack-holes out there on test day that can cause trouble. my first test day.. I had to take a curb to avoid a accident.. failed.. but no accident.

Truckersgirl53...

Trust me when I say I know how he feels .. Because some jack-hole cut him off during the driving skills test.

I was 1/2 way through the intersection on a right turn when a car pulled out of a parking lot right in front of me. Lost my gear in a downshift, but recovered .. because I secured the wheel with both hands But in order to avoid a accident I had to cut in sharply and yes... the tandems went over the curb. My examiner said I did the right thing to avoid the impact, But I knew then it was a fail... Only other thing I could have done was hit the brakes hard which in fact possibly could have cause a jackknife and made it worst .. I still would have ended up hitting the car

He said I couldn't have done anything different. He thought my driving was great, handling of the truck for a student was great, use of signals, keeping focus on everything around me at all time... Other then a jack-hole that couldn't wait for the truck to complete a turn.. I would have passed

Honestly.. I think the examiner was more upset about it then me.. because he knew I did the right thing. But still had to fail me because of the running onto curb..

BT

Well here is what I enjoy now..

Backpacking and hiking.. Hunting wild mushrooms (yes I know what to eat and what not to , and how to cook them!) Fishing, fly fishing. ( Man if I get to Colorado .. Im hoping I have a reset.. Shhhhh .. dont tell the wife this one!) fly tying.. yes I tye my own flies .. hunting.. guns... I love shooting! (see reference for archery..LOL) Archery shooting (Im sure not many places will allow me to pull out my bow and targets and fire away at a rest stop). camping cooking

and I like FOOD! Pizza is my weakness. So is down home cajun cooking (Boudin, crawdads, gumbo, andouille sausage , and jambalaya {and I like it HOT} ! )

Im not a gamer.. dont do video games..

Im so excited .. I hoping to be hitting the road by (or about) the 14th..

BT

I've have thought about this for a long time.. I had a ol'buddy who drove for many year.. I rode with him for almost 6 week and then again for 8week... I enjoyed it.

Well... I now have my CDL and a company looking at my app. Yes Im a new grad. student and can't wait to hit the road with the trainer.

So.. how many of you have hobbies you do during your "reset times". What do you do if you dont make it home for your reset? fishing, hiking, backpacking, indoor/outdoor activities..

Leonard (Handle - Black Thunder)

Oh my writing sucks tonight! Sorry

I've have thought about for a long time.. I had a ol'buddy who drove for many year.. I ride with him for almost 6 week and then ago for 8week... I enjoyed it.

Well... I know have my CDL and a company looking at my app. Yes Im a new grad. student and can't wait to hit the road with the trainer.

So.. how many of you have hobbies you do during your "reset times". What do you do if you dont make it home for your reset? fishing, hiking, backpacking, indoor/outdoor activities..

Leonard (Handle - Black Thunder)