And So It Begins…..

Welcome to trucking. Some days you can back the truck thru the eye of needle, others you can't back in an empty parking lot. You have the right attitude and the best trainer. Good luck, driver. Keep the posts coming.

Etch, how is it going?

Day 12? Sorry about the delay in the posts. It seems someone (Kearsey) has been sick and someone (Kearsey) felt the need to pass it along to me….. but I’ve been battling through it with only minimal complaining and grouchiness. One thing I do want to mention, I believe I may have misrepresented myself in an earlier post. By no means do I expect perfection from myself, nor do I expect to master something in a short period of time. My concern stems from my injury in Iraq. It takes a little more work for me to get something to commit to memory and when that slips, I get a little nervous. I apologize if I came across as sounding arrogant in my frustration. That certainly isn’t me.

So at any rate, training is chugging along. I feel confident in my skills up to this point. Kearsey has taken training to the next level and now has me doing real world backing and once again down roller coaster road. I should be scheduled to test this week. Then it’s off to the wonderful world of TNT. Getting a little apprehensive about that part. Just gotta keep reminding myself no use in getting stressed over something I can’t control.

***update*** Just got confirmation that I will be testing Wednesday. Time to put up or shut up.

Good luck for Wednesday.

I’m at Campus Inn now doing my Orientation to rehire and upgrade into a company truck. Should get badged Wednesday afternoon. Then truck assignment process starts. Hopefully they have a Cascadia Lightweight waiting for me.

Got past the medical exam hurdle today and 61 CBTs done. Tomorrow morning is driver safety training with simulator evaluations.

I’ll be at Plaza tomorrow afternoon for eLogs class. I’ll try to look you and Kearsey up.

Keep us posted. You got this driver! Best of luck. Hammer down!

For the record, I did not interpret your frustration as arrogance. Rather, I interpreted your frustration as the normal reaction of a driven person, someone who wants to become a top-tier driver.

In fact, it tends to be a common theme amongst even experienced drivers on this forum. Frustrations when what should be a simple back turns into an extended ordeal. And that's when patience becomes so critical. Recognizing that you are simply having a difficult day and exercising patience on that day to avoid having a preventable accident on your record.

Another thing to consider regarding this diary and comments in response to your posts. This isn't just a conversation between you and the commentators. Many people will read your diary and learn from it.

Thus, often times the comments are posted understanding that many others will read this diary and the comments.

So, please keep that in mind. Plus, I tend to have natural talent to offend people, unintentionally. I often joke with people that the Christian command to "be like Christ" I've interpreted to mean that I should so offensive that even my closest friends will abandon and deny me. So, please don't take offense at my comments. Because, if you do, then I will think that your perspective is that "it's all about you" and then I will think you are arrogant.

Interesting points Chief Brody about these diaries. I’m a rookie, but when I do comment I do consider that other readers might learn something from my comments.

I did check with Kearsey this morning about meeting up today. Decided against it.

Both of her students are testing tomorrow so today was “serious” time on the pad for Etch. Plus she is still sick and I don’t want to catch it!

I’ll check in with her later this week for a possible photo op.

One benefit for Etch as a veteran is only signing a 9 months contract to drive for Prime to payoff the cost of CDL training rather than 12 months.

Wait, today was suppose to be serious?? Man, I was out there having a blast! Ready for tomorrow!

Interesting points Chief Brody about these diaries. I’m a rookie, but when I do comment I do consider that other readers might learn something from my comments.

I did check with Kearsey this morning about meeting up today. Decided against it.

Both of her students are testing tomorrow so today was “serious” time on the pad for Etch. Plus she is still sick and I don’t want to catch it!

I’ll check in with her later this week for a possible photo op.