Running With Watkins & Shepard

There in lies the problem my freind. The damage was done many years ago when I was 15. 30 years of breaking my butt building took it's toll and in October of 07, forced me to hang up my hammer for good. This isn't something that will heal. I'd need to get the lowest 8 discs replaced for that.

So it's really not an option to have to lift anything. I've been scarping by since then and found that "driving" a truck, droping and hooking is something I can do. Thus, the path I'm on now.

About 6 months ago I threw everything up to God and promised him I'd follow whatever path he set for me. I do believe that God won't give us more than we can handle and he has a plan for each of us. However, I'd be lying if I didn't admit I REALLY wish I knew what it was.....LOL

Because as far as my "mortal" eyes can see, a turn in the path before me will have to come.

 

Remrie,

You certainly do have to evaluate yourself and what makes you comfortable. With that said, I am JUST like you. A recent grad, no prior trucking experience and new to it all. If the school you're attending gives you decent seat time and gets you to the point of actually having the basics of "driving" and not just enough to "get the old CDL", then at that point you need to look inward and make your decision.

What I CAN tell you is the folks here at W/S REALLY care and know how to teach you right. Was I a bit nervous based on what I felt I knew when I came here? YOU BETCHA!! I mean...10 days??? How in the world could I do that?? LOL

But these folks have shown me how to un-learn a lot of what my school taught (and I went to a good one) and showed me things that really accelerated my learning curve and more importantly, my confidence in myself and my abilities. AND....they don't stop there. If you show dedication and steady progress, they WILL keep you longer and work with you more. They just did with the two guys I came down here with. They'll be here at least another week.

Yes, when they feel you're ready, they send you out alone but NOT before they feel you can handle it. Whatever your choice, I wish you all the very best!!

Good luck!

 

Well folks, as the title of this thread says.....I'm Running with Watkins & Shepard!!

I got the word today that they're ready to send me out. I check out of the motel in the morning, go to the terminal and they're going to work out how to get me to a truck.

Now, Plan A is..... I still have my HPE to do tomorrow at 01500. So if they can get the results back before 1630, they will work to get me a ride to my truck. If not, I may have to spend one more night at the hotel.

Now I have NO details on what truck or where it may be yet so that will have to wait for now. According to Tim, there will likely be a plan E by the time it's all figured out...

All I know is it's time for the bird to leave the nest and quite honestly, I once again find myself in my favorite position (some of you may remember from both ORG's thread and early in this one) which is........Nervously Excited!!

We did the mountain shifting today. WHAT A BLAST!! and no big deal. The way my school had me thinking it was certain suicide to even "try" was nothing but BUNK! We went up and down Black Mountain up-shifting and downshifting both ways and it varies between a 6% to 8% grade for roughly 6 miles with lots of nice twisty turns. I hate to repeat myself but....WHAT A BLAST!!!

Tim's tone (as it should be) was very serious when he called me and the other guy in the office after class today. He reinforced how serious this is and to be attentive at all times. He just got off the phone after hearing about another driver who was hauling rolls of paper. The driver said he was cut off and had to hit breaks hard and the load shifted. Well he got nabbed at a scale and held there. It cost W/S 800 bucks to have the load setup right so he was legal to continue to CO. Also cost the driver a pretty hefty fine for not being legal at the scales.

In all honesty, I wonder how they (W/S) deal with sending folks out there. It has to be stressful I would think when it comes to inexperienced drivers. But they also really listen to their drivers and if the explanation is honest, give them some room to keep going. I have to say, EVERYTHING about these folks in the way they treat "people" impresses me.

So, I don't know if this will be my last post for a while or if I'll have an update tomorrow because I have to stay one more day. But I'd really like to keep this thread going and just update my life on the road as I go.

God seems to have made my immediate path clear so I'm Running with it. I've come to know many of you through these pages and even some of you on the phone now. It would be my honor to have you all join me on whatever path lies ahead from here.

Thanks to all of you!!

To be continued..........................