Just when I think I've made it past 'the worse part" I realize that it's still a rather hectic process of advancing through my training here at the Swift Academy. Things have not really let up for us. Even since that first tough week, and now that we're the "senior" class, it's just a different set of challenges that lie ahead. The stress, along with the fatigue, continues. Getting up each morning at 3:50 a.m. and moving from one task to another throughout the day, with just the usual 15 and 45 minute breaks, during an 11 hour stretch, is beginning to wear me a bit thin. But the goal line is now just a few days away.
There's a favorite saying of mine regarding worry. There are two things about which I should never worry. First, I shouldn’t worry about the things I cannot change. If I can’t change them, worry is foolish and a complete waste of time. Second, I shouldn’t worry about the things I can change. If I can change them, then taking action will accomplish far more than wasting my energies in worry. So, give worry its rightful place and keep it out of your life.
So that's where I'm at on this early Sunday morning as I contemplate the final three days of training that lie ahead. I have some concern and a little stress over the tasks I'll need to accomplish to move on to the next phase that begins a week from tomorrow, for newly hired Swift drivers, called "Orientation." But to get there I have to prove my knowledge of these trucks and trailers I'll have the privilege of driving. First I'll need to demonstrate a "Pre-Trip Inspection." Then it's on to showing my proficiency at the "skills" of handling a rig by "straight backing" it along a 100 foot 12 foot wide path. In addition there's the task of "alley docking." Finally it'll be on to my over the road driving test. All of these exercises I've explained in some detail in my previous post. "D Day" comes on Wednesday. Do I "worry?" Yep, you bet I do ... at least just a little.
After some delay, due to changes in testing for those of us from Washington state, we finally got behind the wheel and on the road a good day and a half later than normal on Friday. I spent three sessions totalling 2 1/2 hours on this first day under the watchful eye of our third and newest instructor. His saucy and irreverent reputation preceded him as I heard other Swift drivers speak of him while still in Yakima.
After our early morning pre-trip inspection of tractor #90480, and it's 48 foot trailer, from within the cab, our instructor gave our little group of three a ten minute "pep talk' about his expectations. He quickly made it known he was going to be one onerous taskmaster verbally whipping us into shape. He explained he's not one of these "positive reinforcers." The kind that no matter your performance he would stroke our ego, patting us on the head, and tell us how great we had done. Rather, he would accept no excuses and be blunt and to the point. After all, this is a very dangerous business we're in, and in fact it's among the most dangerous occupations one can have. Our several days ahead were limited, there was a lot to learn, and our work would be arduous to say the least.
Well, as it turns out, that's exactly how he was! He constantly bombards us with ego-deflating one-liners in his instruction and criticism as we move from one task to the next. "Straighten that wheel." "Get off those brakes." "Were you planning on shifting into the next gear or what?" His haranguing and denunciations are without end and are well rehearsed sarcasm for every situation, thanks to his years of practice at humiliating and degrading rookie drivers.
After watching, as well as being the target of this practice for at least one round, and about half way through the day, I leaned over to have a private word with another classmate. While we sat behind in the sleeper watching our fellow comrade being flogged into submission, I whispered about our teacher, "You know his bark is a lot louder than his bite." My classmate nodded in agreement. As it turns our leader's pontificating, while certainly negative, belittling and can be demoralizing, is really given in a humorous fashion. He's not mean, nasty or malicious. It's simply his way of getting his point across and a method in which, if taken in the right spirit, can actually be a fun experience for all of us.
To some, who haven't been through this kind of training, they may not appreciate it. But I've learned from past similar schooling experiences, in both the military and without, that instructors like to bombard you in this way as a means of testing your mettle and your ability to handle stress. It's a technique that can quickly test one's determination, fortitude and commitment in meeting the goal ahead. To use a cliche, it "separates the men from the boys." As our instructor pointed out, we have to earn our advancement, it will not be handed to us. But once we've gotten through those tests ahead, we'll be able to hold our heads high in knowing, we've truly earned our licenses and the right to move on.
It only makes sense that if you can't handle the good-natured tirade of one, who really is looking after your best interest, how will you ever be able to handle the stresses of driving what can weigh more than one-hundred thousand pounds? After all we'll be negotiating through and around traffic, and the motoring public, who look upon these big rigs and their drivers with as much disdain as they do dog kickers and child molesters. By the end of the day it was clear that our time together would be, while certainly not without it's stress, a good experience and one that will ultimately end too soon.
I'm so grateful, as I've written before, I have the experience of driving long articulated transit buses. The streets and freeways of Seattle are certainly a good proving ground. I got to experience those challenges and hone my skills on a daily basis for thirteen years. Without it, I'm frankly not sure I could have handled this transition. I can certainly empathize with my fellow classmates. With it, I'm confident in my ability to handle the tests ahead, so long as I can get my gear shifting technique under control! Shifting a non-synchronized transmission is far different than any experience I've had handling those 26 foot U-Haul "Super Movers" I've driven on occasion. It was something I didn't expect.
They say that "the reward is in the journey." But in this case, and I think my fellow students will agree, the real reward will come not the day we finally receive our Class "A" Commercial Driver's License, nor will it come the day we finish our six weeks on the road with a "Mentor Trainer." Instead it will be the day we first open the door and peer into our newly assigned Volvo or Freightliner tractor that will be our home, our workplace and tool, as well as our constant companion as we crisscross the country. Does that mean the journey is over? Not in my wildest imagination. It's only the very beginning of yet many more journeys to follow.
So that's my lot in life ... I'll try not to worry. Thanks for hanging in there with this latest post.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Knowledge and Skills: Preparing for the Road
Hello again! We Just today began week three, the final week of our training here at the Swift Academy in Lewiston, Idaho with graduation scheduled a week from tomorrow. The last week went by rather quickly now that we're out of the classroom and driving on the "range" most of our day.
In order to qualify for our Class "A" Commercial Driver's License we're required to pass four different categories of testing. This is what our schooling is all about. Training and preparation to meet the state's licensing requirements. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm frankly amazed that they can do it in as short a time as they're able. Of course they simply give us the tools and the training and it's up to us to make something of it.
First in the series of testing is our battery of "Knowledge" tests. This comprises three separate exams. "General Knowledge," "Air Brakes" and the "Combination Vehicles" test. Although the school required me to study and test on all three, the state only required I take the Combination test which consisted of just 20 questions. Nice! Since I already hold a Class B license, and had passed the first two in acquiring that endorsement, there was no need for me to test in those areas again. I completed that requirement near the end of my first week.
The second prerequisite is what's called a "Pre-Trip" inspection. This involves an in-cab check of the various systems controlled from within the truck, as well as a walk-around of the entire tractor and trailer pointing out more than 100 inspection points. During this inspection we have to identify to the examiner the various parts and what exactly it is we're looking for with each. An example would be, "Mr. tester, this here red knob inside the cab is the tractor protection valve. It must activate before the air pressure drops below 60 p.s.i." Or "This thingy next to the brake canister is the brake slack adjuster. It's securely attached and has no broken, loose or missing parts. It should have no more than one inch of free travel and it's adjustment angle must be less than ninety degrees with the brakes applied." It goes on and on and on!
The inspection includes items on the engine, the various components that make up the braking and suspension systems, the wheels, the tires, the lines, both air and electrical, that connect the tractor to the trailer including the tractor "fifth wheel" components. There are also the various parts and systems on the trailer, including it's brakes and suspension as well as the "landing gear" and the sliding tandem wheels at the rear. And don't leave out the lights and other safety equipment and devices scattered all about! It takes me about 45 minutes to recite the entire inspection and the worse thing about it? I gotta wear gloves or my hands get really really dirty!! This is actually only a portion of the inspection required by the federal government that drivers perform on a daily basis before beginning a trip, and it has to be documented in our log books. And those log books! Don't get me going on that! I'll have to save that commentary for another day!
The third testing category is what's referred to as a "Skills" test. In Washington there are just two skills we are required to demonstrate, "Alley Docking" and "Straight Backing." I described Alley Docking in my last post. Straight backing is simply starting outside a 12 foot wide lane and entering that lane, while backing up a distance of 100 feet, without wandering outside the marked boundaries. Washington people are expected to stop the rear bumper of the trailer, roughly 60 feet behind the driver, within a two foot wide space. Are they kidding!? Of course all of these are performed under the watchful eye of a state examiner.
For some reason Washington doesn't deem it necessary for us to demonstrate the ability of negotiating a right hand turn as Idaho does in their skills testing. Our Idaho classmates are required to make their right turns getting as near to a small traffic cone as possible without touching it. Although I didn't have to worry about it, as a Washington student, I always try to get as close as I can and do pretty well with it due, I'm sure in part, to my transit experience in Seattle.
The final test we're required to complete is a "Road" test with the state examiner. This is usually a 20-30 minute drive (unless the examiner has a particular fondness for your company -- and then it could be longer) through town and "over hill and dale." This of course demonstrates our ability to negotiate turns etc. as we mingle with other cars, trucks, pedestrians, traffic signals, signs, obstacles and whatever else might venture our way. Just like the written and road tests one takes to be licensed to drive a car we have the same requirement, only there's a lot more information we need to know, and of course our vehicles are much larger in every way including weight.
So our last week has been a constant regimen of practicing our alley docking and backing skills, as well as preparing for the pre-trip inspection. Before students can move on to the final phase of their academy training, and in preparation for the "real" tests with their state, we have to prove our competency in these two areas. I'm happy to report that yesterday, after some tense wailing and gnashing of teeth, I was able to pass that requirement. Nice!
In the pre-trip inspection I lost 9 points of the allowed 12. I would have done better had I not completely forgotten the trailer tandem axles and their 3 or 4 inspection points. In the skills test I got the backing maneuver dead-on losing no points. I couldn't believe I hit that little two-foot box! But I lost 3 points in the alley docking by having to pull-up once and being a bit out of line once stopped. Of the two skills we're allowed to lose 8 points, so I had five to spare! Shoot, I should have knocked over a cone or two, just for heck of it! I only wish the test had been with the state and this hurdle would now be behind me, but our instructors are kind enough to give us an additional half-day this Saturday to hone our skills.
So, beginning tomorrow (due to some technical problems it should have been today) I, and two of my fellow students, will be together in a truck with our instructor on the roads somewhere along the Idaho/Washington border. We'll have just four training days on the road as we draw another day closer to becoming real truck drivers. If you're in the neighborhood, look for the big white Freightliner truck and trailer. You'll recognize us by the white-shirted gentleman sitting next to us with trepidation in his eyes. But hey, that's why he gets paid the big bucks!
There's so much more I could write about, people, places and things, but the hour is late and my eye lids are heavy. 'Til later take care and thanks as always for stopping by.
In order to qualify for our Class "A" Commercial Driver's License we're required to pass four different categories of testing. This is what our schooling is all about. Training and preparation to meet the state's licensing requirements. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm frankly amazed that they can do it in as short a time as they're able. Of course they simply give us the tools and the training and it's up to us to make something of it.
First in the series of testing is our battery of "Knowledge" tests. This comprises three separate exams. "General Knowledge," "Air Brakes" and the "Combination Vehicles" test. Although the school required me to study and test on all three, the state only required I take the Combination test which consisted of just 20 questions. Nice! Since I already hold a Class B license, and had passed the first two in acquiring that endorsement, there was no need for me to test in those areas again. I completed that requirement near the end of my first week.
The second prerequisite is what's called a "Pre-Trip" inspection. This involves an in-cab check of the various systems controlled from within the truck, as well as a walk-around of the entire tractor and trailer pointing out more than 100 inspection points. During this inspection we have to identify to the examiner the various parts and what exactly it is we're looking for with each. An example would be, "Mr. tester, this here red knob inside the cab is the tractor protection valve. It must activate before the air pressure drops below 60 p.s.i." Or "This thingy next to the brake canister is the brake slack adjuster. It's securely attached and has no broken, loose or missing parts. It should have no more than one inch of free travel and it's adjustment angle must be less than ninety degrees with the brakes applied." It goes on and on and on!
The inspection includes items on the engine, the various components that make up the braking and suspension systems, the wheels, the tires, the lines, both air and electrical, that connect the tractor to the trailer including the tractor "fifth wheel" components. There are also the various parts and systems on the trailer, including it's brakes and suspension as well as the "landing gear" and the sliding tandem wheels at the rear. And don't leave out the lights and other safety equipment and devices scattered all about! It takes me about 45 minutes to recite the entire inspection and the worse thing about it? I gotta wear gloves or my hands get really really dirty!! This is actually only a portion of the inspection required by the federal government that drivers perform on a daily basis before beginning a trip, and it has to be documented in our log books. And those log books! Don't get me going on that! I'll have to save that commentary for another day!
The third testing category is what's referred to as a "Skills" test. In Washington there are just two skills we are required to demonstrate, "Alley Docking" and "Straight Backing." I described Alley Docking in my last post. Straight backing is simply starting outside a 12 foot wide lane and entering that lane, while backing up a distance of 100 feet, without wandering outside the marked boundaries. Washington people are expected to stop the rear bumper of the trailer, roughly 60 feet behind the driver, within a two foot wide space. Are they kidding!? Of course all of these are performed under the watchful eye of a state examiner.
For some reason Washington doesn't deem it necessary for us to demonstrate the ability of negotiating a right hand turn as Idaho does in their skills testing. Our Idaho classmates are required to make their right turns getting as near to a small traffic cone as possible without touching it. Although I didn't have to worry about it, as a Washington student, I always try to get as close as I can and do pretty well with it due, I'm sure in part, to my transit experience in Seattle.
The final test we're required to complete is a "Road" test with the state examiner. This is usually a 20-30 minute drive (unless the examiner has a particular fondness for your company -- and then it could be longer) through town and "over hill and dale." This of course demonstrates our ability to negotiate turns etc. as we mingle with other cars, trucks, pedestrians, traffic signals, signs, obstacles and whatever else might venture our way. Just like the written and road tests one takes to be licensed to drive a car we have the same requirement, only there's a lot more information we need to know, and of course our vehicles are much larger in every way including weight.
So our last week has been a constant regimen of practicing our alley docking and backing skills, as well as preparing for the pre-trip inspection. Before students can move on to the final phase of their academy training, and in preparation for the "real" tests with their state, we have to prove our competency in these two areas. I'm happy to report that yesterday, after some tense wailing and gnashing of teeth, I was able to pass that requirement. Nice!
In the pre-trip inspection I lost 9 points of the allowed 12. I would have done better had I not completely forgotten the trailer tandem axles and their 3 or 4 inspection points. In the skills test I got the backing maneuver dead-on losing no points. I couldn't believe I hit that little two-foot box! But I lost 3 points in the alley docking by having to pull-up once and being a bit out of line once stopped. Of the two skills we're allowed to lose 8 points, so I had five to spare! Shoot, I should have knocked over a cone or two, just for heck of it! I only wish the test had been with the state and this hurdle would now be behind me, but our instructors are kind enough to give us an additional half-day this Saturday to hone our skills.
So, beginning tomorrow (due to some technical problems it should have been today) I, and two of my fellow students, will be together in a truck with our instructor on the roads somewhere along the Idaho/Washington border. We'll have just four training days on the road as we draw another day closer to becoming real truck drivers. If you're in the neighborhood, look for the big white Freightliner truck and trailer. You'll recognize us by the white-shirted gentleman sitting next to us with trepidation in his eyes. But hey, that's why he gets paid the big bucks!
There's so much more I could write about, people, places and things, but the hour is late and my eye lids are heavy. 'Til later take care and thanks as always for stopping by.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Milestones and Miles Yet To Go
Wow! What a week we've had. I can't believe all the things I've learned in the past eight days of training.
We lost one of our Washington drivers on Wednesday. The examining doctor claimed he found blood that showed up in one of those tests we're all familiar with. This immediately disqualified the student for the medical certification required to hold a Commercial Driver's License. I was stunned to see him have to suddenly leave after putting in a full week of training. He was a good guy and part of our little group of five drivers from "the other Washington." We work closely in a group as we prepare to pass Washington's "Pre-Trip" and "Road Test" which varies in several ways from the tests our other classmates will take here in Lewiston for their Idaho licenses. We'll be traveling across the Snake River to either Spokane, or possibly Pasco, where we'll test, I believe next Wednesday. There's a reason we're not testing in nearby Clarkston, Wa., but I won't go into that today. Once we complete those final two stages of testing we'll finally receive our Class "A" Commercial Driver's Licenses.
So, here we have this semi tight-knit group working toward the same goals when we suddenly lose one of my favorites! But there's a "silver lining" to the story. It turns out our specimen tainted friend goes home to Walla Walla and calls his doctor asking for an immediate retest. Guess what? His doctor says there's nothing wrong ... his blood is fine! So our friend makes a quick call on Thursday morning to the school and after their verification of the facts, with the approval of the original doctor that performed the first test, he's back in class and out on the road range with us by 10:30 that morning. I was, to say the least, happy to see him back with us. I had felt so bad for him when he was suddenly told he had to go home and with the unanswered questions looming about his health. But now, all is well and he's back "in the fold."
Things have changed dramatically since completing our first full week. All those more than 20 mind-numbing written tests are behind us now, there will be no more of those as we look ahead to just two more hurdles as described above. The pace is more relaxed and a lot more fun! The bulk of our time is now spent in the academy trucks learning all the basic skills of driving these big rigs. Since Wednesday we've alternated between circling the enclosed range here at the school, and practicing backing up as well as what's called "Alley Docking." We'll not be on the public roadways until next Wednesday.
Learning to back these trucks into a 12' wide by 20' long coned off "dock," within a 70' square enclosed area, can be both challenging and frustrating, as well as amazingly satisfying when you're able to "park it" or "dial it in" in your first attempt after setting it up. We have an excellent "range instructor" who, no matter the problem or the position we might find ourselves in, can stand next to our driver's window and walk along as he talks us, with just a few minor corrections, right into "the slot." He's amazing and has demonstrated abilities in handling these truck and trailers in a way you would have thought impossible. Like turning these nearly 70 foot long mechanical beasts completely around, within the confines of that square box, with dimensions less than 5 feet larger than the rig itself! And doing it in one graceful, uninterrupted maneuver! It's a work of beauty that anyone would be amazed at seeing.
Just like in the Bill Murray movie "What About Bob?" I'm reminded it's just a series of "baby steps" from moving these 500 horsepower trucks just a few yards to taking them anywhere on the road and in whatever conditions. As I wrote in the beginning of this post I'm amazed at how much I've learned in the short period of time I've been in school. From safely operating the trucks, the numerous rules, regulations and procedures that go along with "over the road" commercial driving, to identifying the components that come together to create these impressive machines. While I was a bit apprehensive before leaving for school, and even questioning the choice of the company I've signed on with, all those things are behind me. I'm convinced I made the right decision. To say the least our training has been superb. Our instructors are well qualified in their personalities, knowledge, patience and especially in their dedication to tutoring and advancing us in our struggle to reach our goals.
So come mid-week we'll be entering the final phase of our training here in Lewiston. Our Washington group will be working with yet another new instructor who will take us out each day for our road training. We're told we can expect to be behind the wheel an average of 2 1/2 hours each day. The driving in the area can be quite challenging with some of the narrow two-lane roads and steep grades that drop down into Lewiston. But I'm not too concerned as I feel I have somewhat a head start with my thirteen years experience driving 62 foot long articulated buses through the downtown streets of Seattle. It's not quite the same, but I've often thought that without that experience I'm not sure I would have taken on this new challenge.
On Monday I'll have just nine more training days left with graduation to follow on Thursday May 3rd. That'll be followed with a few days off and then three days of "Orientation" as a new Swift company driver. Orientation begins the following Monday, also here in Lewiston. Then it's on the road for six weeks for a serious dose of reality with a "mentor driver" before I'll go "solo" and be assigned my own truck in late June or early July. I'll also finally go on the payroll beginning with that six weeks of mentor training. I'm hoping sometime, either just before or after orientation, to get in a quick trip to the western part of the state to see family and friends.
It's going to be an especially busy summer. My son Matt gets married in mid June and also graduates from Arizona State. I'm told I should have no problem getting a day or two off from my mentor driving to be there for his wedding reception. Shortly afterwards my son Sean will be leaving for his two year church mission that he's looked forward to for some time. In addition my youngest son Devin graduates from high school, and from a local community college where he's earned his AA degree having been in the state's "Running Start" program the last several years. All these things are happening within a week or two of each other. These events, as you can appreciate, will mark milestones and a new beginning for me in a variety of ways. With my travels ahead and these changes just around the corner, to say the least, it should be quite a year.
Thanks for checking in ... and thanks especially to all my family and friends that have offered encouragement and support in my new endeavor. And by the way, drive carefully out there and give those truckers a little extra room.
We lost one of our Washington drivers on Wednesday. The examining doctor claimed he found blood that showed up in one of those tests we're all familiar with. This immediately disqualified the student for the medical certification required to hold a Commercial Driver's License. I was stunned to see him have to suddenly leave after putting in a full week of training. He was a good guy and part of our little group of five drivers from "the other Washington." We work closely in a group as we prepare to pass Washington's "Pre-Trip" and "Road Test" which varies in several ways from the tests our other classmates will take here in Lewiston for their Idaho licenses. We'll be traveling across the Snake River to either Spokane, or possibly Pasco, where we'll test, I believe next Wednesday. There's a reason we're not testing in nearby Clarkston, Wa., but I won't go into that today. Once we complete those final two stages of testing we'll finally receive our Class "A" Commercial Driver's Licenses.
So, here we have this semi tight-knit group working toward the same goals when we suddenly lose one of my favorites! But there's a "silver lining" to the story. It turns out our specimen tainted friend goes home to Walla Walla and calls his doctor asking for an immediate retest. Guess what? His doctor says there's nothing wrong ... his blood is fine! So our friend makes a quick call on Thursday morning to the school and after their verification of the facts, with the approval of the original doctor that performed the first test, he's back in class and out on the road range with us by 10:30 that morning. I was, to say the least, happy to see him back with us. I had felt so bad for him when he was suddenly told he had to go home and with the unanswered questions looming about his health. But now, all is well and he's back "in the fold."
Things have changed dramatically since completing our first full week. All those more than 20 mind-numbing written tests are behind us now, there will be no more of those as we look ahead to just two more hurdles as described above. The pace is more relaxed and a lot more fun! The bulk of our time is now spent in the academy trucks learning all the basic skills of driving these big rigs. Since Wednesday we've alternated between circling the enclosed range here at the school, and practicing backing up as well as what's called "Alley Docking." We'll not be on the public roadways until next Wednesday.
Learning to back these trucks into a 12' wide by 20' long coned off "dock," within a 70' square enclosed area, can be both challenging and frustrating, as well as amazingly satisfying when you're able to "park it" or "dial it in" in your first attempt after setting it up. We have an excellent "range instructor" who, no matter the problem or the position we might find ourselves in, can stand next to our driver's window and walk along as he talks us, with just a few minor corrections, right into "the slot." He's amazing and has demonstrated abilities in handling these truck and trailers in a way you would have thought impossible. Like turning these nearly 70 foot long mechanical beasts completely around, within the confines of that square box, with dimensions less than 5 feet larger than the rig itself! And doing it in one graceful, uninterrupted maneuver! It's a work of beauty that anyone would be amazed at seeing.
Just like in the Bill Murray movie "What About Bob?" I'm reminded it's just a series of "baby steps" from moving these 500 horsepower trucks just a few yards to taking them anywhere on the road and in whatever conditions. As I wrote in the beginning of this post I'm amazed at how much I've learned in the short period of time I've been in school. From safely operating the trucks, the numerous rules, regulations and procedures that go along with "over the road" commercial driving, to identifying the components that come together to create these impressive machines. While I was a bit apprehensive before leaving for school, and even questioning the choice of the company I've signed on with, all those things are behind me. I'm convinced I made the right decision. To say the least our training has been superb. Our instructors are well qualified in their personalities, knowledge, patience and especially in their dedication to tutoring and advancing us in our struggle to reach our goals.
So come mid-week we'll be entering the final phase of our training here in Lewiston. Our Washington group will be working with yet another new instructor who will take us out each day for our road training. We're told we can expect to be behind the wheel an average of 2 1/2 hours each day. The driving in the area can be quite challenging with some of the narrow two-lane roads and steep grades that drop down into Lewiston. But I'm not too concerned as I feel I have somewhat a head start with my thirteen years experience driving 62 foot long articulated buses through the downtown streets of Seattle. It's not quite the same, but I've often thought that without that experience I'm not sure I would have taken on this new challenge.
On Monday I'll have just nine more training days left with graduation to follow on Thursday May 3rd. That'll be followed with a few days off and then three days of "Orientation" as a new Swift company driver. Orientation begins the following Monday, also here in Lewiston. Then it's on the road for six weeks for a serious dose of reality with a "mentor driver" before I'll go "solo" and be assigned my own truck in late June or early July. I'll also finally go on the payroll beginning with that six weeks of mentor training. I'm hoping sometime, either just before or after orientation, to get in a quick trip to the western part of the state to see family and friends.
It's going to be an especially busy summer. My son Matt gets married in mid June and also graduates from Arizona State. I'm told I should have no problem getting a day or two off from my mentor driving to be there for his wedding reception. Shortly afterwards my son Sean will be leaving for his two year church mission that he's looked forward to for some time. In addition my youngest son Devin graduates from high school, and from a local community college where he's earned his AA degree having been in the state's "Running Start" program the last several years. All these things are happening within a week or two of each other. These events, as you can appreciate, will mark milestones and a new beginning for me in a variety of ways. With my travels ahead and these changes just around the corner, to say the least, it should be quite a year.
Thanks for checking in ... and thanks especially to all my family and friends that have offered encouragement and support in my new endeavor. And by the way, drive carefully out there and give those truckers a little extra room.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
One Week Down ... Two to go!
Another milestone of sorts as our class advances into it's second week beginning tomorrow. With the change we move out of the classroom and to a group of new instructors who will begin teaching us the real "meat and potatoes" of the job, the driving of a 70 foot long tractor-trailer. Sad in a way to leave the tutoring of the classroom instructor we've enjoyed for the past week. But he'll be nearby as we move onto the adjacent "Driving Range" and he moves on to indoctrinate a new group of students.
Today we spent the morning testing our skills at reading maps using the ultimate map book, the Rand McNally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas.. Gotta get me one of these! Among the tasks was determining shortest routes from one point to another, often spanning across two states (could have been worse I suppose), as well as calculating mileage and fuel consumption. The toughest part was simply reading the tiny mileage numbers found on the map. With my eyesight requiring reading glasses the last couple of years I really needed a magnifying glass and even brighter light to see what I was doing! In reality it's my understanding this information regarding routing, mileage, etc. will be part of the "pre-trip" information we receive via the Qualcomm Mobile Communications System and it's keyboard/display in the cab of our trucks. This is the device we'll use to receive our assignments from our "Driver Manager" (or dispatcher) and how we communicate back and forth while on the road. But it's understandable that Swift would want it's drivers, who will be traversing the country in their rigs valued at more than $100,000, to have some basic map-reading skills.
We also had a 90-minute briefing from one of the officers of The Idaho State "Port of Entry" here in Lewiston. He talked about their mission and the procedures when entering these entry ports as well as weigh stations and D.O.T. check points. More rules and regulations to learn concerning how to identify roads a trucker can drive on and whether special permits are required. Again, a violation can end up costing you a bundle as with Idaho, driving without a proper permit will cost a driver a fine of $191. Also of interest in the discussion was the state's "Runaway Truck Ramps" whose design and stopping ability are said to be some of the best in the world. Who knew!
By-the-way, we lost only one of our classmates who failed again to pass the written learners permit test after retesting yesterday. She'll be moved back and will have to repeat the week with the new class starting tomorrow. She missed passing the exam by just one point. So now we're back to nine students in the class.
So, this is what my life has degenerated to these days ... hanging out with truck drivers! I think tonight I'll mosey on over to check out things at the nearby truck stop! :-)
It's funny how things and interests can change in one's life.
Thanks for dropping in!
Today we spent the morning testing our skills at reading maps using the ultimate map book, the Rand McNally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas.. Gotta get me one of these! Among the tasks was determining shortest routes from one point to another, often spanning across two states (could have been worse I suppose), as well as calculating mileage and fuel consumption. The toughest part was simply reading the tiny mileage numbers found on the map. With my eyesight requiring reading glasses the last couple of years I really needed a magnifying glass and even brighter light to see what I was doing! In reality it's my understanding this information regarding routing, mileage, etc. will be part of the "pre-trip" information we receive via the Qualcomm Mobile Communications System and it's keyboard/display in the cab of our trucks. This is the device we'll use to receive our assignments from our "Driver Manager" (or dispatcher) and how we communicate back and forth while on the road. But it's understandable that Swift would want it's drivers, who will be traversing the country in their rigs valued at more than $100,000, to have some basic map-reading skills.
We also had a 90-minute briefing from one of the officers of The Idaho State "Port of Entry" here in Lewiston. He talked about their mission and the procedures when entering these entry ports as well as weigh stations and D.O.T. check points. More rules and regulations to learn concerning how to identify roads a trucker can drive on and whether special permits are required. Again, a violation can end up costing you a bundle as with Idaho, driving without a proper permit will cost a driver a fine of $191. Also of interest in the discussion was the state's "Runaway Truck Ramps" whose design and stopping ability are said to be some of the best in the world. Who knew!
By-the-way, we lost only one of our classmates who failed again to pass the written learners permit test after retesting yesterday. She'll be moved back and will have to repeat the week with the new class starting tomorrow. She missed passing the exam by just one point. So now we're back to nine students in the class.
So, this is what my life has degenerated to these days ... hanging out with truck drivers! I think tonight I'll mosey on over to check out things at the nearby truck stop! :-)
It's funny how things and interests can change in one's life.
Thanks for dropping in!
Monday, April 16, 2007
"I'm going to fry your brains!"
The title of todays entry were the words of our classroom instructor last week in his description of the course work ahead for us and all the information we'd be required to learn in a short period of time. Now, after four days of classes, I'm convinced that he knew what he was talking about!
Today we learned about Driver Daily Logs and the rules, regulations and guidelines governing our "Hours-of-Service."
Mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation driver logs are legal documents that we're responsible to maintain and update throughout the day. These logs account for all 24 hours of our day, right down to increments of 15 minutes, whether "on duty" or not. Even our days off have to be documented as "off duty" and the logs are required to be turned into our employer within 13 days.
Truckers are held to strict rules allowing them to be on duty for no more than 14 hours in any 24 hour period. Of those 14 hours we can only drive 11 of them. In addition we cannot be on duty more than 70 hours in any 8 day period. If we hit that mark, we're required to take 34 hours off in what's called a "restart." There are a few ways around these rules and ways to squeeze more time out of the day, thus giving us more miles. We just have to be familiar with the methods (legal by the way), but it can be a bit complicated. To say the least, we have to be constantly aware of where we stand in regard to these variables and it behooves us to plan well ahead in order to take best advantage of our time away from home while on the road.
Entries are made every time we have what's called "a change in duty status." Those changes occur when we inspect the truck, when we get behind the wheel and drive, when we stop -- even if temporarily regardless the reason -- and when we sleep and/or go "off duty". In addition when these changes occur we have to document the location (nearest town, mile markers, exits etc.) We have to produce our log whenever asked for it at weigh stations, Ports of Entry or by law enforcement, and we're told it will be a regular occurrence throughout our careers. If they're found to contain mistakes or inaccurate information, we can be fined anywhere from $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the state and the infraction. And, we are required to pay the fines immediately! Hard to believe, but true!
Our instructor suggests that whenever possible, at least until we are thoroughly familiar with keeping these records, that we simply drive 10 or 11 hours and then take 10 hours of "off duty" time. This resets the numbers to zero and gives us a clean slate unless we run into the 70 hour/8 day rule. Sometimes however it doesn't always work out that conveniently, then we just have to work out the best solution to keep us on the road as much as possible within the 14 and 11 hour limits.
Per our manual these regulations are designed to provide drivers the opportunity "to obtain necessary rest and restorative sleep," while at the same time supporting "the realities of modern motor carrier transportation." There is wisdom in the requirements but meeting them can be a major pain in the neck!
Other than spending most of our day on driver logs we did watch a couple of videos. One was a History Channel "Modern Marvels" show on the modern-day trucking industry. The other a history of the industry and it's impact on our lives. Tomorrow we hear from an employee of the Idaho State "Port of Entry."
I'm amazed at how much truckers need to know and what they need to do just to stay within the law. This has been an eye-opening experience, to say the least. We took five tests today on driver logs and the Hours-of-Service rules. Apparently, like everyone else in the class, I was beginning to get a headache and a bit cranky and frustrated in my efforts to read, understand and to answer all the questions, some of which were pretty complicated. "Burn out" I think they call it.
Today we learned about Driver Daily Logs and the rules, regulations and guidelines governing our "Hours-of-Service."
Mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation driver logs are legal documents that we're responsible to maintain and update throughout the day. These logs account for all 24 hours of our day, right down to increments of 15 minutes, whether "on duty" or not. Even our days off have to be documented as "off duty" and the logs are required to be turned into our employer within 13 days.
Truckers are held to strict rules allowing them to be on duty for no more than 14 hours in any 24 hour period. Of those 14 hours we can only drive 11 of them. In addition we cannot be on duty more than 70 hours in any 8 day period. If we hit that mark, we're required to take 34 hours off in what's called a "restart." There are a few ways around these rules and ways to squeeze more time out of the day, thus giving us more miles. We just have to be familiar with the methods (legal by the way), but it can be a bit complicated. To say the least, we have to be constantly aware of where we stand in regard to these variables and it behooves us to plan well ahead in order to take best advantage of our time away from home while on the road.
Entries are made every time we have what's called "a change in duty status." Those changes occur when we inspect the truck, when we get behind the wheel and drive, when we stop -- even if temporarily regardless the reason -- and when we sleep and/or go "off duty". In addition when these changes occur we have to document the location (nearest town, mile markers, exits etc.) We have to produce our log whenever asked for it at weigh stations, Ports of Entry or by law enforcement, and we're told it will be a regular occurrence throughout our careers. If they're found to contain mistakes or inaccurate information, we can be fined anywhere from $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the state and the infraction. And, we are required to pay the fines immediately! Hard to believe, but true!
Our instructor suggests that whenever possible, at least until we are thoroughly familiar with keeping these records, that we simply drive 10 or 11 hours and then take 10 hours of "off duty" time. This resets the numbers to zero and gives us a clean slate unless we run into the 70 hour/8 day rule. Sometimes however it doesn't always work out that conveniently, then we just have to work out the best solution to keep us on the road as much as possible within the 14 and 11 hour limits.
Per our manual these regulations are designed to provide drivers the opportunity "to obtain necessary rest and restorative sleep," while at the same time supporting "the realities of modern motor carrier transportation." There is wisdom in the requirements but meeting them can be a major pain in the neck!
Other than spending most of our day on driver logs we did watch a couple of videos. One was a History Channel "Modern Marvels" show on the modern-day trucking industry. The other a history of the industry and it's impact on our lives. Tomorrow we hear from an employee of the Idaho State "Port of Entry."
I'm amazed at how much truckers need to know and what they need to do just to stay within the law. This has been an eye-opening experience, to say the least. We took five tests today on driver logs and the Hours-of-Service rules. Apparently, like everyone else in the class, I was beginning to get a headache and a bit cranky and frustrated in my efforts to read, understand and to answer all the questions, some of which were pretty complicated. "Burn out" I think they call it.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
The Weekend: Some Time Off
The weekend has arrived and I was able to sleep-in this morning. I woke at nine while my roommate "T" was already up. A real treat not to have to get up at 3:50 a.m. for our week day shuttle pickup at 5:00.
The past couple of days have been crammed with more paperwork and several more written tests. They say we will have taken over 20 written tests during our three week training. The tests cover everything from the "General Knowledge" to the "Cargo," "Air Brakes" and "Combination Vehicle" sections of our CDL manuals, and a few things in-between, for obtaining our "Class A" license. And our numbers have grown to ten as we inherited a student who was washed back a week.
In addition over a two-day period we watched a 2 1/2 hour video of what we can expect when stopped by a State Patrolman/Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) inspector on the road. This locally produced video was not only quite informative but entertaining as well as it was done by a local state patrolman friend of many of the Swift Training Instructors. A pretty "hard core" guy but understandable in consideration of the numerous experiences he's had in dealing with truckers and trucking accidents in his career.
A D.O.T. officer can inspect the inside of your cab without probable cause or a warrant. Even a traffic ticket, or what we would otherwise consider "a minor infraction," is a misdemeanor and an "arrestable offense" in which a trucker can go to jail, while driving a large rig on his Commercial Driver's License. They can shut you down on the roadway and issue an "Out of Service" order for equipment problems that would never stop a car or "4-wheeler." And if you disobey an "Out of Service" order, and are caught, the state patrolman said "you will go to jail!" When you're dealing with these federal laws governing truckers, it's very serious business. Who knew!?
Yesterday was one of those "milestone" days for us. It was the day we all went to our state's Driver's License offices to test for our CDL learner's permits. This would allow us to begin driving the trucks with their 53 foot trailers beginning next Wednesday on the enclosed driver "range" here at the school. If you don't pass, you're given one additional opportunity early next week to retest and qualify. If you fail again you're moved back a week to a first-week class to repeat the course. Of the 10 now in our class only 5 passed the D.O.L. test. I'm happy to report that I was one of them along with my roommate. One of those who failed was the "washed back" student who has now had a second shot at it. I fear that we may lose several of our numbers if they don't pass their retests early in the coming week.
During our 50 minute lunch break I walked over to the Lewiston Terminal building and visited with my recruiter. He was the one I initially spoke with on the phone asking questions and who ultimately hired me. A very nice guy. After 23 years he retired in 2001 from the Marine Corps. And he still looks every-bit a Marine!
Most of the remaining afternoon was spent training and watching a video on transporting hazardous materials. That was followed with a 45 question "open book" test on the subject. I was told that overall I've averaged 93.5 on the tests that we've taken to date.
So we have a few days off to recharge our batteries. Monday we'll begin learning about the laws governing our work day and the "Log Books" we must constantly maintain. In them we indicate what we've done during our 14 hour maximum work-day which allows 11 of those hours to be driving time. These books must always be up to date whenever passing through a Port of Entry or Weigh Station, or whenever asked for them by a state patrolman. The fine here in Idaho for a log book improperly filled out is $107. We're told city and county cops will rarely ask for them because generally they're clueless about state and federal laws, nor do they have the authority to enforce them anyway. BUT they can always detain you and call for a state patrolman should they feel the need.
I'm looking forward to the coming week as we've been told, by the two classes ahead of us, that it gets a lot easier after those first several days leading up to testing for our permits. Later in the week I will have driven, for the first time, a 65 foot long 18-wheeler and the following week we'll be on the road driving around 2 1/2 hours each day, maybe more, depending on the class size.
In the meantime the weekend is not without homework. Ten chapters of our "Tractor-Trailer Driver Handbook/Workbook" to read with answers to the review questions at the end of each chapter to turn in on Monday. There's nearly 100 total questions.
More in a few days.
The past couple of days have been crammed with more paperwork and several more written tests. They say we will have taken over 20 written tests during our three week training. The tests cover everything from the "General Knowledge" to the "Cargo," "Air Brakes" and "Combination Vehicle" sections of our CDL manuals, and a few things in-between, for obtaining our "Class A" license. And our numbers have grown to ten as we inherited a student who was washed back a week.
In addition over a two-day period we watched a 2 1/2 hour video of what we can expect when stopped by a State Patrolman/Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) inspector on the road. This locally produced video was not only quite informative but entertaining as well as it was done by a local state patrolman friend of many of the Swift Training Instructors. A pretty "hard core" guy but understandable in consideration of the numerous experiences he's had in dealing with truckers and trucking accidents in his career.
A D.O.T. officer can inspect the inside of your cab without probable cause or a warrant. Even a traffic ticket, or what we would otherwise consider "a minor infraction," is a misdemeanor and an "arrestable offense" in which a trucker can go to jail, while driving a large rig on his Commercial Driver's License. They can shut you down on the roadway and issue an "Out of Service" order for equipment problems that would never stop a car or "4-wheeler." And if you disobey an "Out of Service" order, and are caught, the state patrolman said "you will go to jail!" When you're dealing with these federal laws governing truckers, it's very serious business. Who knew!?
Yesterday was one of those "milestone" days for us. It was the day we all went to our state's Driver's License offices to test for our CDL learner's permits. This would allow us to begin driving the trucks with their 53 foot trailers beginning next Wednesday on the enclosed driver "range" here at the school. If you don't pass, you're given one additional opportunity early next week to retest and qualify. If you fail again you're moved back a week to a first-week class to repeat the course. Of the 10 now in our class only 5 passed the D.O.L. test. I'm happy to report that I was one of them along with my roommate. One of those who failed was the "washed back" student who has now had a second shot at it. I fear that we may lose several of our numbers if they don't pass their retests early in the coming week.
During our 50 minute lunch break I walked over to the Lewiston Terminal building and visited with my recruiter. He was the one I initially spoke with on the phone asking questions and who ultimately hired me. A very nice guy. After 23 years he retired in 2001 from the Marine Corps. And he still looks every-bit a Marine!
Most of the remaining afternoon was spent training and watching a video on transporting hazardous materials. That was followed with a 45 question "open book" test on the subject. I was told that overall I've averaged 93.5 on the tests that we've taken to date.
So we have a few days off to recharge our batteries. Monday we'll begin learning about the laws governing our work day and the "Log Books" we must constantly maintain. In them we indicate what we've done during our 14 hour maximum work-day which allows 11 of those hours to be driving time. These books must always be up to date whenever passing through a Port of Entry or Weigh Station, or whenever asked for them by a state patrolman. The fine here in Idaho for a log book improperly filled out is $107. We're told city and county cops will rarely ask for them because generally they're clueless about state and federal laws, nor do they have the authority to enforce them anyway. BUT they can always detain you and call for a state patrolman should they feel the need.
I'm looking forward to the coming week as we've been told, by the two classes ahead of us, that it gets a lot easier after those first several days leading up to testing for our permits. Later in the week I will have driven, for the first time, a 65 foot long 18-wheeler and the following week we'll be on the road driving around 2 1/2 hours each day, maybe more, depending on the class size.
In the meantime the weekend is not without homework. Ten chapters of our "Tractor-Trailer Driver Handbook/Workbook" to read with answers to the review questions at the end of each chapter to turn in on Monday. There's nearly 100 total questions.
More in a few days.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
First Impressions: Day One
There are just nine students in my class. A bit smaller than I expected, but I prefer it over larger numbers. There are three in the class from Washington. Two of us with "Class B" CDL’s and, as it turns out, I will not have to test and get a license here in Idaho. Because we're so close to Washington they'll allow us to simply "upgrade" to the "Class A" endorsement by testing just across the river at Clarkston. This means, instead of a battery of five different tests, that those without a CDL have to take, I only have to take one. 20 questions! How sweet is that!
It was an extremely busy day today and having stayed up late last night didn't make it any easier when those alarms and the wake up call came in at 4 a.m.
After assembling with the other students from three different classes, in the lobby with some breakfast goodies to choose from, we piled into the shuttle for our first venture to the Swift Driving Academy.
First thing upon arrival was an introduction to our classroom instructor, his boss and then her boss, the head of the school. All nice people who clearly want us to succeed and move on to long careers with Swift. Most of the day was spent in either filling out and signing paperwork, going over school policies, or getting our company physical as well as the D.O.T physical out of the way.
After a thorough review of what to expect in the coming 23 day course we all pile back into the shuttle bus for a "Work Well" exercise at a Clarkston Physical Therapy office. Here we proved our abilities to perform the possible physical requirements of the job if, in the unlikely event, we actually had to handle some cargo. We're told that at least 85% of the trailers we pull are sealed by the loading company, which are unloaded at their destination by their own company employees. The biggest majority of the remaining cargo while unsealed is still handled in the same way.
When these physical "tests" were described this morning my heart slightly sunk as I wondered about my ability to do them. First among them was lifting 65 lbs of weight from the floor to a waist level shelf three times, then to another shelf at a height just above eye level, again three times. The next test was to do the same thing, but with an additional 20 lbs added for good measure, and again three repetitions! Amazingly I was able to do all of them with just a little extra effort.
Next we had to demonstrate the ability to push, and then pull, a 100 lb weight holding it both times for at least three seconds. There was one other similar test involving bracing one foot against the wall and pulling a simulated heavy weight. This was followed by an agility test to show we could handle an initial two-foot tall step followed by an additional step further up a ladder (pretty lame actually). Finally we had to carry 75 lbs a distance of 53 feet, the length of their largest trailer. To say the least it was a huge relief to get through this battery of tests. At the end of each exercise they would read our heart rate from a wristwatch that received the data from a wireless sensor worn around our chest. I noted my heart rate was often below many of the others in my group of 6. I am, by-the-way 5-10 years older than anyone else in my class. Who would have thunk that? :-) No one in the class failed.
Then we moved on to a local doctor's office where we arrived just before 8 a.m. We were there for more than two hours as each of us took our Department of Transportation physical, as required by Federal law, for our Medical Certificate we're required to carry at all times while on-the-job. I was pretty sure I could make the cut as I had already held a certificate during the 13 years I drove for the transit system in Seattle.
Back to the classroom to fill out more paperwork and then a half-hour lunch break. After lunch most of the remaining afternoon was spent at the nearby Lewiston Terminal building (one of 40 spread around the country) where we all left a bodily donation for drug testing.
After some additional classroom discussion we returned to our motel at 4:00 p.m. ending our first day of training. Our assignment for the night was to review our CDL manuals in preparation for going over all the materials for our variouis state's student learner's permit test scheduled for this Friday.
I'm worn out. It's been a very long day. My roommate is already asleep and I will follow within the hour. There will be little let-up in the number of hours spent at school throughout the days ahead. 4 a.m. comes early!
It was an extremely busy day today and having stayed up late last night didn't make it any easier when those alarms and the wake up call came in at 4 a.m.
After assembling with the other students from three different classes, in the lobby with some breakfast goodies to choose from, we piled into the shuttle for our first venture to the Swift Driving Academy.
First thing upon arrival was an introduction to our classroom instructor, his boss and then her boss, the head of the school. All nice people who clearly want us to succeed and move on to long careers with Swift. Most of the day was spent in either filling out and signing paperwork, going over school policies, or getting our company physical as well as the D.O.T physical out of the way.
After a thorough review of what to expect in the coming 23 day course we all pile back into the shuttle bus for a "Work Well" exercise at a Clarkston Physical Therapy office. Here we proved our abilities to perform the possible physical requirements of the job if, in the unlikely event, we actually had to handle some cargo. We're told that at least 85% of the trailers we pull are sealed by the loading company, which are unloaded at their destination by their own company employees. The biggest majority of the remaining cargo while unsealed is still handled in the same way.
When these physical "tests" were described this morning my heart slightly sunk as I wondered about my ability to do them. First among them was lifting 65 lbs of weight from the floor to a waist level shelf three times, then to another shelf at a height just above eye level, again three times. The next test was to do the same thing, but with an additional 20 lbs added for good measure, and again three repetitions! Amazingly I was able to do all of them with just a little extra effort.
Next we had to demonstrate the ability to push, and then pull, a 100 lb weight holding it both times for at least three seconds. There was one other similar test involving bracing one foot against the wall and pulling a simulated heavy weight. This was followed by an agility test to show we could handle an initial two-foot tall step followed by an additional step further up a ladder (pretty lame actually). Finally we had to carry 75 lbs a distance of 53 feet, the length of their largest trailer. To say the least it was a huge relief to get through this battery of tests. At the end of each exercise they would read our heart rate from a wristwatch that received the data from a wireless sensor worn around our chest. I noted my heart rate was often below many of the others in my group of 6. I am, by-the-way 5-10 years older than anyone else in my class. Who would have thunk that? :-) No one in the class failed.
Then we moved on to a local doctor's office where we arrived just before 8 a.m. We were there for more than two hours as each of us took our Department of Transportation physical, as required by Federal law, for our Medical Certificate we're required to carry at all times while on-the-job. I was pretty sure I could make the cut as I had already held a certificate during the 13 years I drove for the transit system in Seattle.
Back to the classroom to fill out more paperwork and then a half-hour lunch break. After lunch most of the remaining afternoon was spent at the nearby Lewiston Terminal building (one of 40 spread around the country) where we all left a bodily donation for drug testing.
After some additional classroom discussion we returned to our motel at 4:00 p.m. ending our first day of training. Our assignment for the night was to review our CDL manuals in preparation for going over all the materials for our variouis state's student learner's permit test scheduled for this Friday.
I'm worn out. It's been a very long day. My roommate is already asleep and I will follow within the hour. There will be little let-up in the number of hours spent at school throughout the days ahead. 4 a.m. comes early!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
The Arrival
Well, here I am in Lewiston, Idaho the night before day one of a 23-day training class to earn my Class "A" Commercial Drivers License for employment with Swift Transportation.
The drive from Yakima was casual and beautiful. While passing through the Tri-Cities I get directions from a customer in a FedEx office. He says “I just rode that highway on my motorcycle last weekend, you’ll love it, it’s a great ride.” He was right.
The landscape changes along the way from the Columbia River through those “fruited plains” we all remember singing about as school kids. Along a curving and occasionally slightly climbing road I pass a number of historic markers and reminders that the route follows “The Lewis and Clark Trail.”
Along eastbound Washington highways 124 and 12 joining Pasco of the Tri-Cities with my destination there are beautiful farms and cattle grazing along the road and, in some places, scattered high among the rolling green hills in the distance. There are a number of small towns along the way I’d never heard of. This is all new road for me and hopefully just the beginning of many thousands of the same to come. There are towns like "Starbuck," "Pomeroy" and "Dayton." “Visit Dayton” a large sign says. “Lewis and Clark did!”
Eventually I’m driving along rugged mountainous cliffs beside the Lower Granite Lake. Here the two-lane turns into four and a short distance away is Clarkston. Good bye Washington state because just across the Snake River is Lewiston. My home for the next three-plus weeks.
On arrival this evening at about 7:15 at the motel I’m told that I have a roommate, but he’s not in the room right now. The attendant asks, “Are you from Idaho. ”No,“ I reply ”I’m from Yakima, Washington.“ She hands me an Idaho drivers handbook and say’s, ”You’ll have a test tomorrow. The shuttle to take you to the school will arrive here at 4:45 a.m.“ The room has wireless Internet but the woman says, ”The signals bad because of the winds.“
The motels a little ratty, and not as nice as what I had expected. When climbing the stairs to my room the smell reminds me of those days of the early 70’s when I was a newly graduated-from-Basic Air Force Airman, arriving at my first tech school in Illinois. There are the same old thoughts and apprehension of being away from family and friends in a new town while embarking on a new career that will no doubt change my life in ways that I can only imagine.
A quick check of my room and I leave a few items behind and head out to McDonald’s for a bite to eat. Then a little exploration of the city stopping off at the local Staples for a notebook and pens for tomorrows class. When I get back I meet my roommate. He’s a 44 year old self-proclaimed ”redneck“ from somewhere called ”Montana.“ We stayed up way too late than we should have, visiting and getting to know one another. Lucky for me he’s a good fit for the days ahead.
Eventually we "turn in" as our alarms, and a wake up call, are all set to go off at 4:00 a.m. to meet our shuttle to the training academy at 4:45.
Finally a warm bed to sleep in!
The drive from Yakima was casual and beautiful. While passing through the Tri-Cities I get directions from a customer in a FedEx office. He says “I just rode that highway on my motorcycle last weekend, you’ll love it, it’s a great ride.” He was right.
The landscape changes along the way from the Columbia River through those “fruited plains” we all remember singing about as school kids. Along a curving and occasionally slightly climbing road I pass a number of historic markers and reminders that the route follows “The Lewis and Clark Trail.”
Along eastbound Washington highways 124 and 12 joining Pasco of the Tri-Cities with my destination there are beautiful farms and cattle grazing along the road and, in some places, scattered high among the rolling green hills in the distance. There are a number of small towns along the way I’d never heard of. This is all new road for me and hopefully just the beginning of many thousands of the same to come. There are towns like "Starbuck," "Pomeroy" and "Dayton." “Visit Dayton” a large sign says. “Lewis and Clark did!”
Eventually I’m driving along rugged mountainous cliffs beside the Lower Granite Lake. Here the two-lane turns into four and a short distance away is Clarkston. Good bye Washington state because just across the Snake River is Lewiston. My home for the next three-plus weeks.
On arrival this evening at about 7:15 at the motel I’m told that I have a roommate, but he’s not in the room right now. The attendant asks, “Are you from Idaho. ”No,“ I reply ”I’m from Yakima, Washington.“ She hands me an Idaho drivers handbook and say’s, ”You’ll have a test tomorrow. The shuttle to take you to the school will arrive here at 4:45 a.m.“ The room has wireless Internet but the woman says, ”The signals bad because of the winds.“
The motels a little ratty, and not as nice as what I had expected. When climbing the stairs to my room the smell reminds me of those days of the early 70’s when I was a newly graduated-from-Basic Air Force Airman, arriving at my first tech school in Illinois. There are the same old thoughts and apprehension of being away from family and friends in a new town while embarking on a new career that will no doubt change my life in ways that I can only imagine.
A quick check of my room and I leave a few items behind and head out to McDonald’s for a bite to eat. Then a little exploration of the city stopping off at the local Staples for a notebook and pens for tomorrows class. When I get back I meet my roommate. He’s a 44 year old self-proclaimed ”redneck“ from somewhere called ”Montana.“ We stayed up way too late than we should have, visiting and getting to know one another. Lucky for me he’s a good fit for the days ahead.
Eventually we "turn in" as our alarms, and a wake up call, are all set to go off at 4:00 a.m. to meet our shuttle to the training academy at 4:45.
Finally a warm bed to sleep in!
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