ABF Freight Driver Development Program

Thank You Banks, thats reassuring to know that the truck didn’t matter.

Day 26, 4/11/22

So we did get 2 new students today making me the senior student. One guy is me 5 weeks ago, starting from scratch, other guy is just there to get manual restriction off his license. Road trainer took me out 1st thing to fill up other truck and get my road practice out of the way. Having 5 of us there, with 2 people learning how to shift will limit all of our truck time.

The head trainer asked me to show/recite the entire pre trip for the new guy so he can see and hear how its done. I’m always willing to help out plus I get another practice run in for myself. That ended up burning most of the morning.

After lunch I went out to the yard, moved some trucks out of the way and set up the cones for parallel and alley dock for the other students. Myself and the doubles student grabbed an extra truck and each built and broke a set. Spent rest of day in the truck doing a few alley’s and parks to stay sharp, helped the restriction student with his downshifting during his turns.

Myself and the doubles student grabbed an extra truck and each built and broke a set.

*like !!!

Day 27, 4/12/22

As I said before, things are winding down. I spent the morning building and breaking sets, have it down pat. After lunch I built and broke another set for the trainer, he said I’m ready to rock. Road trainer took me out for road practice later in the afternoon to give me a taste of heavier traffic, all went well. When we got back I did a couple maneuvers and then handed the truck off to the restriction student. I only have 2 days left, doing well with everything from pre trip to driving so I’m kind of stepping back and giving some of my time to the newer students. I just need some seat time here and there to keep from getting rusty at this point. Looking forward to getting back home and testing. I forgot to mention yesterday that I took and passed my Hazmat on Saturday. I now have all endorsements, fingerprints will get done Friday 9:30am

Day 27, 4/12/22

As I said before, things are winding down. I spent the morning building and breaking sets, have it down pat. After lunch I built and broke another set for the trainer, he said I’m ready to rock. Road trainer took me out for road practice later in the afternoon to give me a taste of heavier traffic, all went well. When we got back I did a couple maneuvers and then handed the truck off to the restriction student. I only have 2 days left, doing well with everything from pre trip to driving so I’m kind of stepping back and giving some of my time to the newer students. I just need some seat time here and there to keep from getting rusty at this point. Looking forward to getting back home and testing. I forgot to mention yesterday that I took and passed my Hazmat on Saturday. I now have all endorsements, fingerprints will get done Friday 9:30am

Delco Dave,

I'm SO happy for you, man! I'll get my turn someday. Your updates are awesome..and you even share..there, AND here!

Kudos for that, man. Helping those behind you, instead of 'legging up.' Integrity. Indeed.

If you were a 'songsmith' like me....you'd know the lyrics . . . "You've got a hubcap, diamond starred Halo!" :)

Best, D. Dave!

~ Anne & Tom ~

Thank you Anne, Hoping you’ll be on your way soon. Looking forward to following your diary. I am actually a huge music head. Its early am, still waking up but I do believe that line is from Billy Joel’s Big shot

Up and awake now!!! Scratch Billy Joel, its T-Rex, Bang a Gong.

Up and awake now!!! Scratch Billy Joel, its T-Rex, Bang a Gong.

Indeed, it IS !! Good ole' song, eh? Big Shot is also a favorite of mine. I'm learning the harmonica in Pianoman, now!

Keep at it, D'Dave,

~ Anne ~

Day 28, 4/13/22

Fired up trucks, hooked empties. Doubles student built a set 1st thing and the road trainer took him out for some practice before his ABF test tomorrow. I practiced my pre trip a bit while waiting for the yard to clear out. Once most of the drivers were gone we set up all the maneuver stations.

I took my road trip when the doubles came back and the student broke the set. Upon return from my road trip, the head trainer told me to get as many runs as I could practicing all the maneuvers. We will lose a truck for most of the morning tomorrow due to the doubles student getting his test and 4 of us will be sharing 1 truck. I’m still doing well with them, trainers said they are not worried about me passing at all. In fact, I wasn’t supposed to really learn doubles until returning to my terminal and after getting my state test but since I progressed so well they felt I was ready. They will report that I was trained on them and I should get credit for the time. They said I will likely only have a couple days of doubles training rather then a week or two with the PA trainer/tester.

On a non trucking note, we saw a bald eagle gracefully soar over the yard today. Just happens to be my favorite animal so I will take it as a sign of good luck going forward in my journey.

Day 29, 4/14/22

Only thing I have for you all today is that I graduated from the program. Gonna miss everyone there, made some new friends and really enjoyed going in everyday.

Next is dock training, state skills/road testing and ABF road/doubles testing. Do not have any set dates or times at this point. Will continue to add updates until I am completely done.

Congratulations Driver!!!