Common Threads

This afternoon started out with a recruiter from Swift. They are REALLY big and not one Kim and I are really interested in, but we listened to him. Afterwords, we all went out to do the dailey pretrip. Kim did both sides of the engine compartment for the first time, and did very well. I got to watch :) After our walk around and inspection of the tractor and the trailer, we split up and did the in cab checks in two groups. (all the indicators, gauges, etc, and brake checks).
Afternoon classroom was more on shifting, hills, proper gear, etc. Our quick dinner break to let Shadow out, grab a taquito, and back to class for the evening session. We started with some work on coupling and un-coupling the trailer from the tractor. Pulling the fifth wheel release, pulling the tractor away from the trailer, checking it all out, then coupling it back together.
Classroom tonite was visual awareness, and special rigs (doubles, triples, heavy haul trailer, etc). The visual awareness is pretty much identical to what is required and taught to motorcyclists. You have to be aware of others so much, because you are so vulnerable. A truck driver has to be aware of others to make allowances so much more in advance. They don't stop or move over on a dime!
Today the training manager for SkyWest asked me how school was going. He commented that they are pretty much glorified truck drivers too. There REALLY are alot of parallels. Fed Regs, rest hours, trip planning, dispatchers, pre-trips, etc. I told him I was ready to get out of ground school and get some seat time! He just laughed and said he hears the same from his students!
Tomorrow is supposed to be our last nice day for awhile, tho it's starting to get pretty windy. Friday brings a cold front in and Sat is supposed to be a hi of 32 with mix rain and snow.....YUCK, just like last Saturday, only colder.