Email Replies To Questions On Trucking.

From: Tracy Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2013 4:49 PM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well K, Yes...on my way home. Left Conover NC yesterday...overnighted just east of St Louis. Just made it to Sioux Falls..10 mins left on driving day! Weather across Tennessee Illinois and Missouri. Rained constantly then turned fo freezing rain in Missouri...lots of miles of clenching the steering wheel too tightly. On the HOS...no question is out in left field. Good to know you are thinking it through. We report our status nightly in a "Daily Check Call" message on the Qualcomm that has HOS for next two days and an estimate at delivery...but that will be moot when we get elogs....they will know already and will probably argue with us if we don't think we can make a delivery. Heh...big brother. Good luck on the interview...sometimes starting low isn't a bad thing. Merry Christmas! May the Lord bless you on His birthday. Hello Tracy,

Hope you had a nice Christmas at home? I saw a couple of your posts on TT and it appears you were able to spend 4 days at home, I’m really happy that you were with your family. I also see you are back out there running hard again. How are you doing and how is life on the road again?

I’ve really been struggling for the past couple of weeks with my situation, I had an interview at the bank for the entry level help desk position and I was asked a lot of basic troubleshooting questions and drew a blank as I was not prepared for those questions so I have a feeling I will not get that job, really made me feel like I did not know what I was doing and I have been doing that type of stuff for years but we will see what happens, he did say that he would make a decision sometime after the first of the year and would call me so that is some hope anyway. I have a feeling my old position is kind of out of date now, everything is Help Desk or Service Desk, call center oriented and not out in the field servicing an assigned customer base by region like I have done for that past 14 years. Just do not know if I would like working in a call center help desk environment. The interesting thing I’m finding out is that my previous job that I have done for so many years, I’m not qualified to do now since I have not degree or certs and I’m trying to decide, do I still want to be in IT and spend the money on certifications or spend that money on truck driving school and give that a shot since I have been interested in it almost my whole life.

I’ve gotten to a point where I may have over analyzed what it takes to be a truck driver and I’m not sure I have what it takes, I’ve really never failed at anything before and I would be devastated if I didn’t have what it took to succeed in trucking. Did you ever have these feelings when you were researching it? I sense though that you are very confident person so I’m guessing you did not have the same feelings about this that I’m currently having.

I really like the way Watkins Sheppard handles hiring recent Driving school graduates but man after reading a few stories about the whole process of the 10 day advanced training and then going out on your own right away, I’m really nervous about that. Again, just do not want to fail. I see where so many on TT say that they could not imagine going out on your own without some sort of a driver trainer to help out. Was it a huge struggle for you? I’m guessing figuring out all the paper work and dealing with all the different shipper\receivers and all their specific procedures would be really overwhelming?

Well, once again, I apologize for this huge and somewhat whining email.

Take care and thanks for helping me through this. Oh, if you know you are going to be at the Lakewood terminal at anytime in the future, let me know, would love to meet up with you again.

K

From: Tracy Sent: Monday, December 30, 2013 4:52 PM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well

K, Good to hear from you! It was good to be home for a few days. I'm back on the road..picked up a load of flour in Great Falls MT and am on my way to Tempe AZ. Overnighting in southern Utah tonight. Tough to leave home and be back on the road...but gotta earn a living.

I was worried going into orientation but more about not passing than what would happen after. I had put all my eggs in that basket and failing would have been serious. As to what was going to happen after...I didnt know enough to worried about it. The good thing is WKSH folks really help you get through stuff. If you are careful..don't crash...don't get tickets...they will help you through anything. And they will always talk you through things on the phone. Ask questions often during orientation and after...you'll get answers. If you come in board you have me to ask too...so you should be fine. Attention to detail...constantly watching as you are driving...wide turns...watch your trailer and the idiot drivers around you...those will go a long way to getting you through.

The deal about the different shippers can easily be overcome. Ask dispatch when you get the load assignment, call the shipper and receiver and ask before you get there. Dont be afraid to say you are new..some will give you grief but its no big deal... they will forget it when you drive away. Most of the procedures are basically the same everywhere with just a few unique twists that are easily worked through. The main thing is you have a BOL or Bill of Lading from the shipper, that you have it signed by the receiver and that it goes in your trip envelope. Ask to be shown how to do cargo securement in school...they did not show me that so I had to learn it. I'm very careful about it and have not had any damaged cargo.

Think things through..never just hop in the truck and drive. Do your paperwork...route plan at the start of the trip and each day...know where you plan to fuel up each day and where you plan to stop for breaks and for night...have a backup or two for each. Be flexible and ready to change if something happens. I am always looking at truck stops as I drive filing impressions away in case I go back through there.

There is a lot of information but the system is set up to help you succeed ... not fail. Further...most of the drivers dont have the intelligence, life experience or wisdom that you do.

I predict success for you. You said your wife believes in you...listen to her.

Tracy

Hello Tracy,

Good to hear from you again. Glad to hear you did indeed make it home, I’m sure your family was extremely happy to have you there. Hopefully you won’t be gone as long this time!

Thanks so much for the information below, I get to the point where I’m sure that I’m over analyzing things and reading too much into what is posted on the internet. I love TT, it is such a positive site about the Trucking lifestyle.

So, when you were at Orientation, were the instructors really hard on everyone? How large was your class and how many were sent home? In your opinion, what was the hardest part of both CDL school and the 10 Day advanced training? Here I go again..questions, questions, questions.

I had read one of your posts before you went to the 10 day training where you said you were concerned about being able to shift ok, did you have issues with that or was it a non-issue? I’m concerned about both shifting…up and down and on the mountain and also backing, I have backed boats and utility trailers and also a small International Loadstar 1800 with a 30’ trailer when I was in my teens and never had to back it into a dock or difficult places because we only used it as a mobile wash truck, it was a box trailer with 4 water tanks inside it along with a diesel generator to run the pumps and pressure washer so it was easy to drive around, I did back it up but again, never to a dock or between trailers and it was a gas powered truck with just a normal 5 speed tranny that had synchros’ so no double clutching although I was able to float the gears on it, I used to float gears with my stick shift cars too , that was not very hard to do but it’s a whole different deal with a big truck and 80,000lbs behind you.

Oh and I just got an email from an IT recruiter wanting to talk to me about a Support Analyst position at Starbucks in Seattle so I’ll call him tomorrow to find out about it. Who knows, maybe it will be something that really interests me but it will be really difficult to top my previous job, I really loved that job but it’s gone for good so no looking back. I’m still keeping trucking in my mind and studying the High Road Training program. We will see where this leads to.

I like everything I have heard about WKSH, and really cannot find anything negative about it, even on the TruckersReport site!. The other company I’m interested in but it’s in a distant 2nd place is Gordon (GTI), they are local here and I used to wash their trucks back in the 70’s, they were a much smaller company back then. I think they still hire from “Approved” truck driving schools but I would have to go out with a trainer for 30 days. Now this could all be different because I heard they were recently bought out by Heartland Express trucking and that company is much different with their hiring policies. Actually the WKSH Lakewood terminal is closer than Gordons. Everything just keeps pointing back to your company.

Thanks again for the positive statements you have said, I really needed to hear that, I get to down on myself and these past few days have been really rough, maybe it’s because it’s the holidays and I’m jobless .

Take care,

K

From: Tracy Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 6:37 PM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well

K,

Yup...it was great to be home..was a long time!

TT is a great site..I'm glad Brett put it up and maintains it.

As to the instructors in orientation...it wasn't so much they are hard on you..they were all pretty nice. But they are uncompromising. You've got to pass the various evolutions. They do give you second and third chances if you are showing improvement. You can drive the trucks around the yard all you want at night to practice. I went there intending to just immerse and do whatever it took. It worked for me!

In my class there were six...2 didnt make graduation...one for physical reasons and one just left one day. We had one from the previous class who dropped back to ours because she had trouble backing. So we graduated 5. I found out before Christmas that 4 of them have since quit. One for medical reasons, one to take a different job and the other two didn't like driving.

Shifting is hard to get used to..at least it was for me. Backing was the other hard thing. Both are relatively easy for me now...its tough when you are learning but both quickly become second nature. Both do get hard for me still when I'm overtired..but that is probably to be expected.

Gordon Trucking is a good company. They are big..have lots of contracts, maintain their equipment and believe in safety. They would be a good choice too. I heard about the Heartland Express buyout. I don't know much about them though.

I like WKSH..smaller company..trying hard to do the right thing and treat you well. They always have a load for me so I can't find anything bad about them...and there is lots of good.

Again...you'll do fine. You seem very motivated and that is half the battle. The rest of it is just working hard. When you are on the road you are on your own and its up to you to run hard and get the load there fast but safe. The better you are at that the more money you make. Nobody will stand over your shoulder unless you miss delivery times. There are ways to get deliveries done faster...sometimes if the delivery is in an area we have have a terminal I will drop the trailer there early and have the local guys deliver, then I can roll with a new load.

I'm in Phoenix now...delivering a load of flour. Not sure where I'm going next yet.

At least I'm warm! :)

Have a happy new year!

Tracy

Hello Tracy,

Once again, thank you for the invaluable information, I really appreciate it. The position with Starbucks was actually a temporary contract position working Sun – Thurs on the 3rd shift so I’m not so sure how thrilled I am with that job. It appears the job I once had in IT is now obsolete, I was more of a Field Service Tech and now it’s all being consolidated into help desk call center type of environments. I was more out there and onsite support but again, with technology the way it is with remote support, my old job is a thing of the past for the most part and now the only thing I think I’m qualified for is working in a Help Desk setting. I never did get into Management like you did nor did I really want to. Dealing with employee issues is not my cup of tea, I like to work hands on and on my own, which is what I had done for the past 14 years. I never met my last manager in person and I worked for him for about 4 years. This is part of my intrigue with trucking, I would be on my own for the most part. We will see though, I’m giving it a shot at getting back into IT but if I get nowhere in about a month maybe 2, I’m going to start getting serious about truck driving school.

The unknown is what scares me though, how will I know I can shift and drive a big truck safely without actually doing it? And to do it will cost a lot monetarily, mentally and physically. What was your final determining factor to just go for it?

Does WKSH dispatch to New York City? I have heard nothing but horror stories regarding driving into the city. If they do, have you had the privilege of going there yet? That’s another thing that scares the heck out of me, driving in a large city.

In your opinion, how much of your freight is Drop/Hook, Touch no-touch or LTL? I think I would like the LTL simply because I would get exercise and make more money. Do you always have to go find an empty after dropping a trailer and are you advised as to where the empty is or do you have to go on a search for it?

Also, I’m a bit confused on the load itself, I see where the shipper will seal the trailer, do you get to go into it before they seal it? Is there a time when you have to break the seal and enter the trailer during your trip? Also, who is responsible for breaking the seal when you deliver? I’m guessing the shipper right? Or do you since you have to normally open the doors before you back to the dock. Again, sorry, random thoughts going through my brain and I probably should not even be concerned with that stuff yet, maybe I should be more concerned with the learning process first and foremost!!

Did you get a load assignment yet?

Take care,

K

From: Tracy Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 6:57 PM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well

K,

No problem on the questions...glad to help. I should probably gather all your questions into a document and post it on TT...I am sure others would like the same info.

I think when I made the final decision was when I actually got a job offer. It was a contract field service position with Xerox and entailed driving to customer locations and fixing their computers and printers. Sadly the pay was only $16 an hour..mileage was only .30 a mile and I had to supply car, fuel and insurance. There was growth possibility but the manager said it would take a couple years. I figured since it was contract when I got too expensive they would just not renew me. I became convinced I wouldn't get an IT job so I went for trucking. I considered real estate and becoming a home inspector too...but chose trucks.

I have driven through the edge of New York City...WKSH has a terminal in New Jersey so OTR drivers just drop and hook there, and the local drivers deliver. The terminal is easy to get to. In my opinion Hartford CT, L.A., Chicago and Atlanta are worse. Traffic just sucks in those places. I try to schedule travel in them for non peak times but sometimes it doesn't happen. I hit LA at 5 pm on Friday just before Christmas about three weeks ago and it took me 3.5 hours to go 20 miles. I hate that.

We are about 70% drop and hook...furniture loads are almost always LTL and the best money makers. If you get a load out of a terminal it is usually furniture or carpet...occasionally booze. The good thing with WKSH is that you keep rolling...as you build a rep with dispatch of on time delivery you will get the best loads...and you can always request a type of load. They really do try to accomodate good drivers.

When you drop and hook we usually have trailers at the location. If not dispatch will tell you where to deadhead to for the trailer. You aren't left to scramble...and you can always ask when you get the load.

On seals ... if it is a live load you get to look before they put the seal on...sometimes they even just give you the seal and have you put it on. If it is drop and hook it will already be sealed and you can't break it...the consignee does. You just write SLSC (Shipper Load Shipper Count) The exception is if DoT or Immigration stops you and wants to open it in which case they cut tbe seal, inspect and give you a document to prove they did it. WKSH gives you extra seals so you can seal it back up. When you get to consignee they will either come out and break the seal or tell you to do it before backing into the dock.

No problem asking the questions...with your personality you'll be under less stress if you know the answers, I'm thinking.

I don't have a load yet...dispatch was closed today and I deliver in the morning. I will have a load assignment early in the morning...they treat me very well.

Tracy

Tracy,

I also looked into a Xerox position here locally and like you, I felt it was low pay and I’m really trying to find something more permanent, I really do not like the “contract” positions out there. I was also looking into home appraisals but you really need to know someone in that field that will mentor you before you can get the license. Have not thought about real estate or home inspector.

I probably should have been putting these questions up on TT but just felt more comfortable with asking you since I have met you and my situation is similar to yours. I’ll back off for a little bit on the question asking, It might be good for me as well to just take a breath and relax for a bit. It’s just really hard to not know where my future is headed to now. I really thought I would be with my last company for quite some time to come and after being with them for 24 years, it’s extremely strange to not be working for them.

Thank you again for all the great info and insight you have provided, I truly appreciate it!!

Anyway, hope you got a great load with lots of miles and I’ll keep in touch.

Take care,

K

From: Tracy Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2014 9:20 AM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well

Go ahead and ask all you want! I will do my best to answer them. I'm just going to put the questions and answers up on TT so others may benefit. You are welcome to keep asking as you have.

From: K Date: 01/02/2014 9:32 AM (GMT-08:00) To: 'tracyawalters' Subject: RE: Hope you are well

Thanks Tracy,

I enjoy chatting with you and hope to get to meet up with you again in person at some point.

From: Tracy Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2014 9:01 PM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well

Yep...I will let you know next time I'm up there. In Los Angeles tonight.

Are you in SFS? See, I’m even learning the names of the terminals…hahahaha.

Hey, just received an invite for an interview for an IT Support Specialist position I applied for with the Washington State Patrol on Tuesday. Wish me luck. This is one job in IT I would really like to get, a State Job!!

K

From: Tracy Sent: Friday, January 03, 2014 7:55 AM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well

Good luck on that job!

Hello Tracy,

It’s been a while since I communicated with you last and wanted to let you know that my interview went well, better than I expected. It was a panel interview of 3 people and they each asked me various questions most of which were scenario type and I felt I did pretty good. This is a State job which is very good and the pay would be very close to what I was making at my previous employer. The minor negative is that it would be a 28 mile commute each way which I’m not used to since I worked from home for the past 14 years so that would be an added expense but I’m not complaining. The other thing is that it’s basically a Help Desk environment and they operate 24/7/365 and bid shifts every 3 months based on seniority so of course I will not have much a choice, they said that 2nd shift is probably what I would end up with either during the week, that would be 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The good thing is that they selected me to move forward in the process which means a polygraph exam and background investigation which will not be an issue for me. They do this because I’ll be working for the Washington State Patrol. So, I’m nervous and excited at the same time, I’ve never really worked in a Help Desk environment and have never worked an IT job with another company so if I get this job, it will be a big change for me.

I’m still extremely interested in Trucking and if for some reason this job falls through and I have nothing by the end of Feb or beginning of Mar, I’m going to get serious about going to school. I will go to a private school as you did. I probably should stop reading as much as I do on the internet about everything involved with trucking because I keep 2nd guessing whether I can handle it or not, but that’s my insecurities getting the best of me. Being unemployed is really eating at me and getting me down.

Anyway, how are you doing? Where all have you been in the last week? Have you had to deal with any bad weather?

K

From: Tracy Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2014 2:29 PM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well

K,

Glad the interview went well. I'm rooting for you to get the job offer you want!

Washington State Patrol? I might be in trouble then, huh? :)

Yes...don't read too much into the boards. Remember that those who had a negative experience are more likely to post it than those who had a positive one. Tens of thousands start a trucking career each year and if they can do it you can too. IT guys have the wisdom and ability to get the job done...much more so than most others.

Let me know what happens and what you are thinking.

Had some work done on my truck in Missoula and waiting on a load. Roads have been snowy, icy and high winds. Dangerous stuff. Havent minded sitting here a bit.

-------- Original message -------- From: K Date: 01/12/2014 3:40 PM (GMT-07:00) To: 'tracyawalters' Subject: RE: Hope you are well

We will see about this job, the interviewing manager stated that the Background investigate and polygraph results could take 6 – 8 weeks to come back, I thought that was a bit long so I will continue to look for other jobs. There are jobs here but most require a degree or cert, neither of which I have. I’m applying for them anyway in hopes that my exp will be noticed.

Do not worry too much about me working for the Washington State Patrol and you getting into trouble, I’ll be stuck in the basement of a building in Tumwater, WA L.

Too bad you couldn’t have had that work done in Billings!! Good to hear you are not driving in that weather though. We had high winds and heavy rain here Saturday night and all day yesterday so I’m sure you are getting that system now.

I know most of those guys on sites other then TT are morons, but I think my problem is more having the confidence that I can do the job and not wreck the truck or hurt anyone and also be on time with deliveries. I worry about time management and trip planning, that seems to be the most difficult things to get right, well along with shifting, backing and everything else…hahaha, but I’m saying this with zero exp so I’m sure if I actually did it, I would find it’s either a lot harder than I expected or hopefully not as bad as I think it would be. I

So, are you in a motel there? If so, I’m guessing it’s the motel you stayed at for the Advanced Training? Do you have students asking you a lot of questions now that you are the Exp driver ?

From: Tracy Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2014 3:41 PM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well

K,

No..I'm not in a motel...staying in my truck. Havent been in a motel since first few days of training.

Some of those jobs say they require a degree, but they might accept equivalent experience. I did when I was hiring.

I too started driving with no experience. I pray every day for help in not crashing or hurting anyone. I know God is helping me every minute of every day.

Time management and trip planning are two key factors in being a successful driver. When getting a load assignment I always plug the route in the GPS and plan it in my trucker's atlas. I compute the miles..look in my truck stop guide and record three potential end of day stops in the 550 to 650 mile range. If there are delays or I am fatigued I take the earlier stops. Sometimes I have to even earlier. But you do have to look at total trip miles and how long until your expected delivery. Sometimes there is some flexibility there. As you do more trips you will learn the routes, when the truck stops fill up at night and where you can take extra time. Planning fuel stops, mid day 1/2 hour breaks and factoring in weather/construction is also important. It seems overwhelming now but is easier than you think once you start. I had to figure this all out on my own...I think the trucking companies like to see if you reason this stuff out.

I'm sure you'll do fine if you choose this career...you will be one of the smarter rocks in the box :)

Yes lots of questions from students going through orientation here. There are usually two classes at one time with up to 10 in each. You can see the desire in some eyes and fear in others. Just resolve to get it done and be ready to put in the hours while in CDL school and while here in orientation. You can take all the time you want during off hours in the trucks and may strike up a friendship with a driver who will help you out a bit if they have time.

Tracy

Hello Tracy,

I guess I just took it for granted that your truck was in for repairs and therefore you would be in a motel.

Do you have a degree or did you go through the school of hard knocks like I did? It appears you were in a pretty high position. I have always been a worker and only worked as a manager for about 1 year but that was prior to me being in IT, I just have no desire to manage people. I sometimes think I should have sucked it up and tried to advance so I made more money but I guess it comes down to I really loved what I was doing and didn’t want to change. Well, I have now been forced to change…hahaha. Oh well, I guess I cannot complain as it lasted 24 years.

Thank you again for your insight on the trucking industry, I really enjoy hearing from you and where you are or where you have been.

Did you finally get a load? Oh, I do have a question regarding items you pay for out of your pocket. Do you have to pay for a lot of stuff out of your pocket and get reimbursed? I know you mention that you pay for scaling and get reimbursed, how about tolls and lumpers or anything else you can think of.

Take care,

K

From: Tracy Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 9:21 PM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well

K

The only reason I would get a motel would be if the truck couldn't be lived in due a major issue like an engine or transmission rebuild.

No...I don't have a degree...I just worked hard and earned the positions. Of course now the lack of a degree hurt me when trying to get a new position.

On the road we generally pay for and get reimbursed for minor things like scales, light bulbs, oil, etc. Anything expensive we use Tchecks which the company funds. Some things like tires and truck washes we have national accounts and the just bill them. The company recommends you carry or have access to about $200. That is more than enough. You get reimbursed within two weeks. Lumpers are paid with Tchecks.

Tolls are paid with our Prepass/Ezpass unit in our window.

I'm on a load now. Picked up 44, 000 lbs of talc in Three Forks MT and am on my way to Jackson TN...about 1900 miles...a good run. I hope the weather is good!

Tracy

Tracy,

To an extent not having a degree or certs is hurting me as well, a lot of job descriptions are stating that a BA or specific MCP\Network or Security certs are mandatory. I’m applying for them anyway and some will actually auto reject based on what is or is not listed on my resume….technology, it’s a love\hate relationship with me at times.

Good info below on how incidentals are paid for. I traveled about 90% of the time for the first 10 years of my IT career all over the world and it was nice because the company paid for just about everything, just had to make sure I put as much as I could on the corporate card and it would be paid directly to that card after I filled out my expense reports, rarely did I have to pay out of pocket for anything except personal items. I know traveling is a bit different in the trucking world but I’m still intrigued with the lifestyle and culture.

Nice trip you have, lots of miles, that’s great. Positive thoughts going your way for good weather.

I did not hear back from HR regarding scheduling my Polygraph Exam and back ground investigation, I want to get the moving as it takes 6 – 8 weeks to complete and I would like to be working as soon as possible if I am offered the position. We will see how it goes, hopefully I’ll hear from them tomorrow.

Take care,

K From: Tracy Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 7:15 PM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well

K, Thanks for good wishes. Overnighted first night at home in Billings...always good when I can do that. Left early this morning and roads were bad right away, slick, blowing snow and wind all the way through Sundance WY then suddenly it was completely clear...like it hadn't snowed all year. Made it to Chamberlain SD for night. Glad its clear now!

Tracy

From: K Date: 01/14/2014 10:37 PM (GMT-06:00) To: 'tracyawalters' Subject: RE: Hope you are well Very nice that you got to stop off at home on your first night. So are you at that rest area in Chamberlain? I’ve been through there and if I remember correctly it is a very nice one and oddly shaped, fairly new, I didn’t recall seeing any truck stops there, I remember that town because it’s where you cross the Missouri river on I90.

I was reading on a forum that WKSH is starting to get the new trucks in now and it looks like they are going to PeopleNet for Elogs. A friend of mine that runs local here for JB Hunt is on Peoplenet and he said it’s ultimately going to replace QUALCOMM , not sure if that is true or not. Have they advised you when you will be getting the Peoplenet installed? I also read that during the 10 day advanced training they are using the Smith System now (??), I googled a little bit about it and it appears to be specialized training program. So looks like there are some changes since you went through it.

K

To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well

K

I overnighted at Al's Oasis..there are a couple truck stops but the Oasis has a grocery store and other places that make it nice.

Peoplenet is coming this year...they are rolling out to local drivers first starting on the 22nd. Regional drivers next and then OTR drivers. Don't know how long the whole rollout will take.

When I was in training we had to watch the video on the Smith system and had a test on it. The lead trainer went to the Smith System trainer class the second week of my orientation so I just missed the full blown thing.

Tonight I am at the Midway truck stop in Missouri. The was a show series on it...you may have seen it. Only 400 miles to go and delivery is 1100 on Friday. Pretty easy!

Tracy

From: K Date: 01/19/2014 1:32 PM (GMT-06:00) To: 'tracyawalters' Subject: RE: Hope you are well I did not know about that tv series about that truck stop, I looked it up on the internet, will have to see if I can find an episode on the internet.

Where are you now? I’m always asking you but it’s interesting to follow your travels.

My wife and I took off this weekend and headed to the ocean, we needed to get away and it was nice, love the beach up here in the winter although it was actually really nice here, in the 50’s and somewhat sunny.

Hope all is well with you, GO SEAHAWKS!!

From: Tracy Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 8:24 PM To: K Subject: RE: Hope you are well K, I've kind of gone in a circle the past few days I dropped my load of talc from Montana in Jackson TN ... then I went to Nashville to pick up a.load of lamps and take it to our Myrtle terminal. I was going to take a hot load to Las Vegas but I had a truck problem and had to get it fixed. Then I got a call to "rescue" a load from someone else who had a truck problem in Little Rock. I took an empty there and am taking the load to Conover. I'm overnighting in Jackson TN at the same Love's I did a couple nights ago. Free showers!

From: K Date: 01/20/2014 11:27 AM (GMT-05:00) To: 'tracyawalters' Subject: RE: Hope you are well Tracy, They sure are keeping you busy!! That’s great. Glad to hear you are in the south and not up in the snow and ice, I hope anyway. How long are you planning on staying out this time before you get some home time again? Hopefully not as long as your first run!!

From: K Date: 01/29/2014 10:43 PM (GMT-07:00) To: 'tracyawalters' Subject: Polygraph Test in the morning Hello Tracy, Well, I have my polygraph test in the morning for the Washington State Patrol job, that should be interesting as I have never been through one before. I also had a 2nd interview at a local bank here for a Systems Admin job on Monday and it went well however the pay will be about $10,000 let a year then what I was making but I wont complain. If these do not convert into jobs soon, I’m going to be looking into Truck Driving school but of course still apprehensive and nervous about making that big of a career change and hoping I like it and am successful at it if I do go for it. How are you doing? I hope you have missed all that bad weather out there? Cannot believe it’s as far south as it is now. Have you been getting good runs? K

From: Tracy Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 9:58 PM To: K Subject: RE: Polygraph Test in the morning

K,

Nothing to worry about on the Polygraph..I have taken several over the years as a defense contractor. Just answer the questions truthfully.

Good luck on both jobs!

I have been doing pretty well...all over the country. I just rolled out of Salem OR this morning. I am in Missoula and deliver at a Home Depot here in the morning. I have mostly avoided the cold but have had a few cold and snowy days. Painful to drive in.

Tracy

Hello Tracy,

Well the Polygraph was an interesting exp. I guess it went well but not much was discussed. They said it will take approx 6 – 8 weeks for the back ground investigation to be complete but I sure would like to get working now. I’ve been off for 3 months now, Since High School I have never been out of work for this long and it’s really eating at me.

I received an email from the bank requesting me to fill out a form to initiate a background investigation with them so that is a hopeful sign, maybe I’ll know something next week. Also, was called today to interview on Feb 19th for a help desk position with the State of WA, Dept of Early learning, I applied for that job in mid Dec so the govt takes there time at hiring I’m finding out, should have known. I’m feeling a bit more positive about my chances of landing a job in my field even though it will be a step backwards as far as what I would be doing, if I’m hired for either of the state jobs, the starting pay will be close to what I was making when I left my previous company which would be great. The bank job is about 10 Grand a year less but only 7 minutes from my house and I would have the opportunity for advancement as it’s an entry level position. Will see what happens.

So, last I heard from you was when you were in Conover, since then you have been racking up the miles, that’s great!! How many miles do you figure you are averaging a week now? And I’m guessing your CPM is higher now as well?

Are you able to get home since you are in MT?

K

................................................................. Here's where our conversations are up to at this point...

As I said... I hope it helps someone, and isn't too long or boring.

Tracy