Dreams Coming True. Minnis B In Training.

I took his dollar and I think I may frame it.

This made my smile and chuckle out loud... and I work in a very quiet area (still a programmer). It startled my cube mate but made me smile. Good luck and I'm glad you're nailing all the skills and having fun.

Your response made me chuckle when I played out the scenario in my head Han.

Well tomorrow is the big day. Nervous? Yes. Doubtful? Yes. Gonna give it everything in me? You better believe it.

Kinda got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder today. We had to go be fingerprinted for our hazmat and TWIC at 1000 and didn't get back until 1300 so I lost a half day of practicing all my maneuvers and have only got to take 2 trips on the test route whereas my buddy that is testing with me tomorrow has made 5-6 of those trips. I discussed it with my trainer and he says I'll be just fine, a turn is a turn, a gear change is a gear change, a lane change is a lane change no matter where you are, just adapt to conditions and overcome the obstacles. We shall see.

Other than a lot of practice today there's nothing really to speak of. No excitement for once which was a nice change. I did have a 4 wheeler try to drive on the shoulder to come around my while stopped to wait for a clearing but my trainer caught it as soon as I did, rolled the window down and asked the 4 wheeler where he thought he was going as he couldn't see around me to merge putting himself in an extremely dangerous situation. Sometimes I worry about people.

I suppose that's it for today. Tune in tomorrow to see if I'll be joining in the ranks of road warrior or if I get sent to detention. If you pray, I'd appreciate a little whisper.

I was dying reading your posts. Good luck tomorrow, you'll do great I'm sure!

I guess I should get to sleep since 0300 will come pretty quick and I'm getting behind the wheel for the first time fully loaded with my trainer.

Awesome man, good luck on that first load. I don't even want to think about it yet lol.

Well I guess I've put it off long enough.

All I can say is you win some and you lose some.

Today friends, I won.

Started off with the pre trip inspection. Drew form B from the crack of the hood to the back of the cab. Out of a possible 47 points I scored 45. Got ahead of myself and forgot the shocks/shock mounts and the frame/crossmembers.

Next was the backing portion. Had the straight back, zero points and zero pullups. Left offset, zero points with 2 pull ups (why not use the free ones and make your back easier?). Lastly I drew "driver's choice" between parallel and alley dock. The past few days I had bee having minor issues with my parallel and had been doing excellent on the alley dock so I chose the alley dock. 7 points from 5 pull ups and 1 encroachment. I got nervous and missed all my marks but at the end of the day I got it in and had 5 points left to burn.

Lastly was the road test. I lost 6 points which I was told is well below average for the school. Most got 8-14 points. I lost 3 points for raking 3 gears, 1 point for a late turn signal, and 2 points for crossing the white line on the shoulder 2 times by not swinging wide enough for a turn but all is well. The examiner told me it was one of the best road tests he's ever given so I take pride in that.

As of right now I have loose plans to attend orientation at Paschall Truck Lines on July 8. I guess this will be the end of updates on this thread. To those couple that have been reading it, thanks for playing along, y'all have been great.

Great job! I knew you could do it!

Congratulations Minnis!

Lots of success stories today...been a good day.

Best of luck as you continue onto road training. Embrace it, make the most out of it.

FINALLY found a way to post some pics that actually works on my phone.

First is the Volvo I did all my training in along with the 48' trailer.

And finally the Volvo parked up next to the wicked Freightliner which is the most old school truck there. You can also see a blue Volvo in the background that has pretty much become a parts truck since the transmion has gotten so loose even the vets have trouble shifting it let alone students.