Profile For Grumpy Old Man

I would think so, unless you are a big eater! Probably would fill it to the quart level, so it doesn’t slosh out. Unless your toads are way better than they are in the NE

I have been so busy, I have barely ben on the forum.

I picked up my first load to get me home from Menasha WI. Went off without a hitch. I had to force my RM GPS to route me to the nearest intersection to force it to follow the company directions. Backed in, got loaded, and hit the road.

Took my 30 at Russell Rd, then fought my way down 294 in rush hour traffic. GPS was routing me down 94, but said 12 mile backup. Turns out 294 may have been worse. For you experienced guys, which is the better route?

On the plus side, I got really good at shifting, after up and downshifting a few hundred times. I accidentally floated a few gears, and since my sciatica is still killing me, decided to give it a shot. Turns out I can float better than I can double clutch, LOL.

Made it to the first rest area inside Ohio with an hour on my clock. I could have made one more rest area, but would have only has 15 minutes left, and I was afraid it might be full, so I stopped and got some rest. 455 miles and 12.5 hrs on duty.

Woke up this morning, and as soon as my 10 was up, pre-tripped and hit the road. Got to the drop lot at 3:30 with 30 minutes left on my 8 hr clock, only to find it full. It is a trailer repair shop, and it was closed, and I will be leaving tomorrow. I parked in front of some crashed trailers, and a flatbed delivering more flatbeds. as long as he isn't leaving before me, I'll be good. Bobtailed home, and did some trip planning, figured out I have to leave tomorrow at 2, so my wife barely saw me. 373 miles, 7.75 hrs on duty

I'll finish that load in Denmark, NY (966 miles total), then deadhead to Solvay NY to pick up a load and deliver it to Coal Center PA, near Pittsburgh. total for the two legs will be 490 miles.

Chris, did you back into Westrock (Solvay) or did your trainer?

I am dreading that one. It has limited space in front. That guardrail eats lots of front ends

Grumpy how is your body holding up?I know in training you dealt with a lot of pain .

I have been at the terminal since Sunday so it isn’t hurting near as bad. Also walking a lot so maybe that is helping.

Just finally got all my stuff in the truck and mostly in a spot I can live with until I get home. My fridge is being shipped to my house so for now I have a styrofoam cooler that should last till Saturday.

My first loaf is 966 miles, but I don’t have to deliver until Monday.

It has been a whirlwind.

As a side note, my second trainer was so good, training asked if they could have my paper logs to use as training material.

I also helped two guys that were here for orientation, they passed all their tests and will be heading out with a trainer.

Stuff happens sometimes. I really doubt they're bringing you in for your first event.

I concur with that. However it’s still a viable learning lesson. Anticipating a light change, etc.

This is something I struggle with. I know a light is stale, but it never changes until it is way too late for anything but a hard brake, but not past the point of no return.

You can’t really just start to stop for a green light in the middle of a state rd.

Thanks. Waiting for my truck to get the mirrors repaired and my first load to get back home

Just think, you are going to be all by your lonesome from now on.

Yeah, it’s exciting and terrifying at the same time.

Hi... i know people who took 2 mos to downshift properly. you arent alone. Before you know it, it will be sec9nd nature. I am occassionally grabbing for.my stick and clutch on my automatic lol.

The biggest mistake made is taking too long to get it in gear, by the time you get find 9th, the speed dropped so now you need to go to 8th, but trying to jam it in 9th wont help. Now you have to rev again to get the RPMs up. Most newbies will just keeo trying it jam it into 9th all the while.losing speed. By the time you realize it, rhe soeed coukd have dropped to 7th. So they are always chasing gears. The more frustrated you get, the more you are a sitting duck and not in gear.

Before you shift think of it as a puzzle and ask youself "Where does the shifter need to be at what speed".

Then "clutch neutral rev clutch shift". No lie, i would say it aloud. If it doesnt go in, prepare to go to the next lower gear and rev again then slide it in. If you need to, consider 2 gears down.

The point is to recover. It is true what Bruce said. The test only gices you 5 points max for grinding. They want to be sure you can recover.

Absolutely perfect advice.

Add the two numbers of the speed together to figure what gear you need. For instance 35 is 8th, 25 is 7th, etc. But RPMS also need to be down to around 1000, then clutch neutral rev clutch gear just as Rainey said.

Thanks. Waiting for my truck to get the mirrors repaired and my first load to get back home

Try 1000 rpms, rev to 1300 if that doesn’t do it try 1400 or 1500.

I like the veteran sticker. A nice touch. Not sure if it was already there or f it was just for me.

It was already there. Sorry.

LOL. I figured.

Amish, in addition to roads as crappy as NYs, the hills suck.

I like the veteran sticker. A nice touch. Not sure if it was already there or f it was just for me.

She ain’t perfect, but she is mine!

Jeremy, yeah, Northeast hourly. Not sure what areas but definitely Niagara Falls to Syracuse. Hoping for Vermont, Maine, etc. Hoping to avoid PA.

Congratulations driver. Welcome to the old man's club...

Lol

The driver I picked up found out Iwas a Marine (he was Army), and with a straight face asked if I had to turn in my musket when I got out.

I was laughing so hard I had to wait to start driving. Lol

You should of told him Jesus was your DI.

LOL

Great news! Heal quickly my friend

Congratulations driver. Welcome to the old man's club...

Lol

The driver I picked up found out Iwas a Marine (he was Army), and with a straight face asked if I had to turn in my musket when I got out.

I was laughing so hard I had to wait to start driving. Lol

Thanks everyone.

My first “load” was To Milwaukee and back to pick up another driver for orientation. He is a member here. I believe he said his name here is Sgt Army.

Lol

Or he is confused. I don’t see anyone here with that name

I picked him up in a company car by the way. Not a truck.

Thanks everyone.

My first “load” was To Milwaukee and back to pick up another driver for orientation. He is a member here. I believe he said his name here is Sgt Army.

Lol

My eyes are more dilated than 3 hits of LSD at a Grateful Dead show.

Rick

Lol, just noticed this.

Congratulations!

I never tire of seeing you new guys make this announcement of success. It's a great pleasure to share advice with you along the way and watch you progress and develop. Again, Congratulations!

It is the help and advice I got here that prepared me to be successful.