Location:
Daleville, AL
Driving Status:
Rookie Solo Driver
Social Link:
Randall G. On The Web
Just south Alabama country boy trying to make it in this big world. Single father of 12 year old daughter since birth and she is my everything. I am very social and never meet a stranger. Love people and try to see the good in everyone. (Try) love to go camping on the lake,bonfires,beach,4 wheeling, sitting outside under stars,cold beer,and just being free. And apparently I have a knack for trucking😀.
Posted: 5 years, 5 months ago
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So my test date got pushed back a week due to one of the 3 offices being closed last week. Tested today,and of course I'm sure like many others have been, I was nervous. But i was confident in my abilities to handle the tractor and trailer. Still the nerves from my previous downshifting problems were in back of my mind although I had listened to many of you on here guide me thru it and had mastered it. Well I'm a very outgoing and social person so I immediately hit it off with examiner and we began. I used zero pullups on either one of the 3 skill sets and alley docked on first try. He got in and said he had not seen that done that fast in his 2 years at this location. (Confidence boost). We hit the road and came to an area where I had right turn to make that had a light pole on right side and a turn lane and straight lane that was also going to be in my path. Light changed but traffic was so bad the turn lane never emptied forcing me to sit thru another cycle. Had to have that lane clear to make turn. Was afraid he would be upset. Said I had to wait and he said "You did right thing". Next cycle made the turn and proceeded on to finish. Then came a right turn down hill with 2 islands on each side from 4 lane to 2 lane. Can't hit curbs or swing into my left lane or fail. Grab 6 gear and oncoming traffic is clear in turn so I proceed to cross yellow line and stretch it to far side of road before turning and it went great. Examiner said to me" textbook move most fail right here ". In the end i missed one year and quickly grabbed other one. His words " Mr. Graham, congratulations sir, you have passed with flying colors and I have never seen a more comfortable driver test out and do that well". Well response was, " WELL sir, I was nervous as heck and I'm glad it's over". He said you never showed signs of it by talking about your daughter and asking me about family. You looked calm and comfortable. My response was kept my mind off the driving and just let it be natural to me, but I assure you I was nervous. It was just casual conversation that kept me relaxed. So happy to finally join all you amazing people. Be safe friends and see you soon.
Posted: 5 years, 5 months ago
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Struggling double clutch downshift
I greatly appreciate all the input. I watched some videos and thought about what mistakes I made. #1 thing that stands out to me is that I can easily up shift ,and it hit me that I haven't realized that the speeds of the transmission is lower speeds than that of pick up truck. Meaning I can be 25 mph and in 5th gear where as a pick up its totally different and I also realized I haven't been double clutching like going up. I been trying to hold clutch and down shift. Gotta get my **** together. I know BETTER.. All of you are very much appreciated. Will update my progress by Monday as I school tomorrow and work Saturday then practice with buddy Sunday and test late next week. Be safe friends and truck on.
Posted: 5 years, 5 months ago
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Struggling double clutch downshift
Bruce K, I have nothing for the shifting. I have been blown away by the struggles I have downshifting only. Nothing else phases me. I drove my friends truck and trailer from outside lake city Florida last week to Bainbridge Ga,and he was impressed until I couldn't downshift properly. I'm so keen on being perfect,but here I am getting frustrated. Damn automatic looks better by the second. But,I'm no quitter,and will see to it that I get this. 20 people to one truck isn't exactly helping on yard.
Posted: 5 years, 5 months ago
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Struggling double clutch downshift
Driving the tractor, handling trailer, backing, etc has been zero problems as well as upshift. For some reason I can't get this downshift double clutch together . Now I missed many days of school from moving houses,new furniture being delivered, new storage sheds coming,and changing everything over etc. Also have been out on road once with friend that owns his truck and he said I can drive amazingly as no experience. Right up until I had to downshifting problem. I just can't get it figured out 3 times in truck total. Not grasping it for some reason. Help please. Test next week. Can't float on test. I just can't get a gear on downshift for ****.
Posted: 5 years, 6 months ago
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Awesome job for first run. As someone else stated above, safely parked and nothing damaged or zero accidents, sounds darn good to me.
Posted: 5 years, 6 months ago
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Some awesome pictures and very cool looking rides. Thanks for sharing.
Posted: 5 years, 6 months ago
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That is exactly the things I wanted to know. Years ago I was cut severely in right arm and was down over 8 weeks. Prescribed me loratabs and after taking the first one,I had someone call doctor and change that ****. It put me on cloud nine. I don't take pills and rarely have any issues. But last year I remember that tramadol helped my back but I was drowsy as hell and she told me it wouldn't make drowsy. I checked up on it after work and it clearly is a a med that makes you drowsy. So I still had this one left in a zip lock in my medicine cabinet. Saw it while packing. I'm trying to get out of here and rolling and I damn sure don't want to have anything holding me up. Flush that thing down the toilet. Motrin it is. Thanks for your input. 3 weeks away. Can't wait. Everyone drive safe.
Posted: 5 years, 7 months ago
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Been super busy working on new house and also packing and doing my landscape business. Somehow I have managed to pull a back muscle or something in lower right back. My sister gave me a tramadol last year in May for a similar back ache and it made me drowsy as hell at work. I have not taken dot physical yet or anything, so before I take it before bed tonight will that show up on a drug test or dot physical? Don't want to take any risks before possible Friday test.
Posted: 5 years, 7 months ago
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Mistakenly took one of my wife Adderall thinking it was one of my aspirants. Failed drug test.
There was already a suspicion in my opinion for you to get tested. "Just say No". Couldn't resist. Come on dude. Just like all of us agree. Look, your a liability not an asset when things like this happen. You are a risk on the roads risking lives of every day people. Not only if done in a personal vehicle,but now on a damn 80 thousand pound rocket at 64 miles an hour. My child,my parents, brother,sister or friends could be any of these victims. As well as any of us other and or family members. I agree with everyone else on here. That isn't a mistake. You made a choice. This line of work has clearly been defined to me about such substances and I for one would know exactly what the heck is going into my body before I took it. I'm not in such a rush to say give it to me before I check it out if I'm not sure of what the ramifications are. That being in any and all cases. I don't buy it either. Don't blame the company,but blame the insurance carriers. That is their right.
Posted: 5 years, 5 months ago
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Passed CDL exam today
Sorry I haven't been back on here. Trying to finalize the sell of my business and get everything organized before I leave for orientation. Thank you all so very darn much. As of this moment I plan to sign with Werner. My options for 5 more days are open, and after that I'm locking in. I want stability and when I sign on with someone I will make sure I'm there a year at least. I open for suggestions and this is Tuesday and I will keep check on this in evenings daily now up till then. Idc if it's flatbed,reefer,or dry van. Just a career. Experienced drivers, tall to me. Wish all of you the very best and drive safe. Love this brotherhood and sisterhood we all have.