Here We Go....

Good luck! Thanks for the updates.

So happy you guys are doing this! Looking forward to hearing more.

Ok, it's Monday and we're back to school. TMC came in today for their presentation. Sounded nice, but no teams so that's out for us. We did more review for the learner's permit today. Also started on hours of service. Very rudimentary start, but you gotta start somewhere, right?

Oh yeah, Saturday was test day for the permits for those who wanted to try earlier than official test day (Tuesday). So the BMV opened at 8:00 am. We got there at 8:30. The waiting room was jam packed but no one was in the testing line. A quick check revealed the reason - the testing computers were down - all across the state. Well, we decided to wait. About 9:30 the announcement was made that they would go forward with paper tests. Uhhh....ok, that's a wrinkle. However we were unfazed so we stepped up. You see, the computer tests allow you to skip questions if you want, and they let you know if your answer is correct or not. Also, since it is a pass/fail, once you answer enough questions correctly, the test is over and you can move on to the next test. It also shows how many you have correct, how many you can get wrong for a fail, and how many wrong you have. If you run out of questions and still haven't passed (or failed) you cycle back to the ones you skipped and then you must answer them (no more skips). Now for the paper test. You get the test questions and an answer sheet. No instant feedback so you have no idea where you stand. Like the old days lol. Finish the test, hand it in and wait for the results. Halfway through the testing, the computers came back up so we got to finish the testing on the computer. Three on paper, three on the computer. The computer tests sure seemed easier to do.

In the end we both got our learner's permits (GK, AB, and Combinations) and all three other endorsements - doubles/triples, tankers, and HAZMAT. Woohoo! One more hurdle cleared. There was an extreme sense of relief for both of us let me tell ya. We celebrated with about a two hour nap. Then went to Edgewater dragstrip for some ear-shattering blowing off of some steam.

Today we went after class to get our fingerprints done and our background checks started for our HAZMAT clearance. Tomorrow we get the day off since we already have passed all of our tests.

Our current instructor, Coffee, appears to really want the students to do well, but he does call it like he sees it. So, those that need to study more are told just that. Those that need to focus are told just that. It's told in an encouraging but straight-forward way.

More to come I'm sure. Until then, be safe and don't get complacent.

Scott and Maggie

Well it is week three. Finally in the trucks. It seems like a long time getting here but it's only been two weeks since we started. For pre-trip, my brain gets locked up and I get tired of my own voice lol. I hate to admit it, but once inside the trucks, I'm intimidated. Standing outside the trucks I can't wait to get in and get going. But once inside it's another story. The size, the power, the lack of vision. However, it's a huge thrill and I just have to concentrate. Each time I'm in the truck for a maneuver I fell a little better, dare I say a little more comfortable. I know, I know, don't get comfortable, you'll get complacent. Well I don't think that's possible at this point when my eyes are bigger than their sockets and my frontal cortex feels like it's going to explode out of my forehead lol.

A big shout out to my wife Maggie. She is so far outside her comfort zone that she is not happy about it. But guess what? She channels that discomfort into determination. She is a much better straight-line backer than half of the others in our class. And she takes the initiative to jump up in the truck and get the practice. Our class mates "lovingly" tease me, saying that she is better at this than I am. I just smile and say "I'm not surprised" while thinking yeah, she's better than you, too lol.

So far I have to say that I am happy with our choice to go to private school at Napier. The instructors all have different personalities which make training with each different one a unique situation. But they all have the desire to see us succeed and all try to make that happen in their own way.

So tired. So nervous. Keep plowing ahead. Will update more later.

Scott and Maggie