My Return To Work
Topic 26298 | Page 6
Good morning all,
I’m about halfway through my third week. I’d guess 120 hours.
I’m nervous about moving the truck while off the clock ie yard moving. My ability to keep ‘er slow is limited...
Driving overall is going well. I had a herd of deer run in front of me and I had to hard brake. Smokey tires and no dead deer. QualComm was freaked out though and we got a message.
Overall I am grateful for this time. 200 hours is well worth it.
Cheers,
G
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.
I had a herd of deer run in front of me and I had to hard brake. Smokey tires and no dead deer. QualComm was freaked out though and we got a message.
One time I had a single deer running full speed toward me. I spotted it charging out of the woods on my left side up ahead. It crossed the two opposing lanes of the highway and then the median with no regard for my oncoming truck. I was in the right lane and did what I could to avoid contact. I maintained my lane, and slowed down without doing a hard brake. The deer hit me regardless. The impact triggered the event camera.
Later, after reporting the accident and the damages, I got a call from safety. They actually thanked me for killing the deer instead of making a hard brake or swerving from my lane. It's very unnatural to not do everything possible to avoid an animal, but in a big truck it's usually safer to let them have their death wish.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.
My "close encounter" with wildlife...
Good evening,
This marks the end of my third week. I just logged 10.5 hours and swapped with my mentor.
Without sounding like “I’ve got this” I am feeling more comfortable in the truck. I know that I have a lot to learn during my solo rookie year.
I’m still waiting for the children to give me the universal “blow the horn signal”. I had a kid waving at me and he was pretty happy when I rolled up a bit more. But alas no toot signal... Perhaps if the other children put down their phones (says the guy pecking away at his).
I wish other drivers would turn their High beams off. Yes, I’m on the other side of the highway. Yes, I’m high up. Yes, your lights are still blinding.
I’m excited and a touch nervous to wrap up my mentorship (probably next week). I will have another test and an orientation.
Good night all. Safe travels.
Cheers,
G
How are ya now?
I've read through your journey so far, as I begin mine I feel a bit more confident. Going to start putting a lot more time into studying my macros and other stuff. Thanks for the blog, it's helped me out a lot.
Good evening all,
I’m about halfway through my forth week. When I started on Tuesday the office said I had 125 hours and that I have around 2 weeks left. This will be a short week. My mentor has some home time scheduled this weekend.
Long days of driving. My backing is getting better. We do mostly drop and hook.
Ran into a classmate in Troutdale, it was fun to connect. I wish we had more time.
I just swapped out with my mentor. I’m exhausted and going to sleep.
Good night,
G
P.S. welcome Gregory!
P.P.S. When the 4 wheelers go wide around me on the rumble strip, they are singing the song of my people... 😆
Drop And Hook:
Drop and hook means the driver will drop one trailer and hook to another one.
In order to speed up the pickup and delivery process a driver may be instructed to drop their empty trailer and hook to one that is already loaded, or drop their loaded trailer and hook to one that is already empty. That way the driver will not have to wait for a trailer to be loaded or unloaded.
Good morning all,
Just up from my 10 hour nap.
Last Friday I learned a painful lesson. Stepping off the truck onto a loose rock I turned my ankle. The company sent me home for the weekend.
I started again last Monday. My ankle still hurt, but I’m eager to upgrade. Advil and ace bandage were my friends. I had about 160 hours. I’m scheduled to upgrade on Monday.
The company pushed an update to our Qualcomm that caused issues. (It was mentioned in the weekly news on this site.) We were on paper logs for a while.
My backing is getting better. I’m comfortable goaling and seeing what’s going on. I continue to stay loose and humble.
Most of my academy cohort has been doing OTR mentorship, I’m a tad jealous. I’ve seen a lot of WA... Especially along I-90.
I’ll likely not update this forum until I upgrade. Too busy and too tired to spend much time other than sleep and drive. Preferably not at the same time 😜.
Take care,
G
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Sounds like things are going well. Keep it up!
Good evening all,
I wrapped up my mentorship last Saturday! I took Monday and Tuesday off and tested today.
I get to move my status on this site to rookie solo! Yep, upgrade completed!!
Some paperwork and corporate stuff (read ancient database system) I will be spending my first night in my truck at the terminal. Yeah, I know you want to know all about my truck... it’s funky... My first truck is one that’s getting shuffled to Salt Lake City to be sold. This feels eerily similar to a trip I took during my training... From what I’ve been told I will be picking up a slightly newer truck that will be mine for about 6 months, then who knows, maybe I get a new one.
The truck is a ‘16 with 500k. Blue Freightliner. I hope I have a decent load going to UT. I’m still quite fuzzy on the macro procedures, but I’m sure that will come in time.
Thank you all for your support and well wishes! I’m not sure where to go from here. I guess I will still be in training (forever) and a training diary may be appropriate.
Take care,
Galen
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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Hello all,
My days are oosing together. I’m getting my macros memorized through repetition.
We are waiting in Sumner for a truck to come out of the shop. Not the one we’ve been driving. We are slated to transfer it to UT and pick up a new one.
The delay this morning feels like a portent of an epic journey...
I’d love to get back by Sunday, but I have a hunch that we will be messing about longer than that.
An interesting twist from driving and joining this career, I’m in much better shape! My previous years of deskjobbery are falling away.
I’m loving the scenery and driving!
Take care,
G
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.