Good evening, Say hello to Team 4-6 (10-week) Today was a good day. We learned our final backing maneuver, the blind-side back up. We spent most of the day working on our various maneuvers. Our lab was on various types of trucks, low boys, over-sized loads...etc.

That's it for today,

See you back tomorrow,
Don

Week Six - Monday

Well, Today is the first day of the second half of my 10-week program. In addition to our normal maneuvers, we learned how to do off-side backing. After lunch, I had another road-ride. It was awesome, I continue to improve on my shifting. The Instructor was very relaxed and kicking back during the ride. This is a good sign. His post ride comments stated that I continue to make more and more progress with each ride. He still grinds gears a little, but it's getting allot smoother. He also stated that I could be ready by Friday to drive in downtown Syracuse. Driving in the city is the final big test of a drivers road skills. I am not sure if I am ready to drive in the city, but will do my best if the Instructor takes me there.

Well that's bout it for today. Have a great evening,

Don

Week Five - Friday

Friday was a good day. More practice in the yard. We continued our work on Pre-trip inspections, Drop and Hook procedures, straight line and see side backing. For the most part, the Team is doing very well. We are trying to help each other with our maneuvers.
I am very tired today, and am looking forward to returning home.

Best Regards,
Don

Week Five - Thursday

Today was rainy, chilly, and rather dreary. The Team is really ready to learn some new maneuvers. Today we continued our backing, pre-trip inspections, and drop and hook procedures. It was a very long day.
I did have my 6th road-ride this afternoon. I must admit, I didn't do so hot. I still tend to choke on my shifting when I come up on situations. For example, today I made a right hand turn, just after being shown how to use the range finder to go up and down a single speed. So, I made a good turn only to find myself going up hill. I tried to shift, but the speed slipped and I missed the gear. I tend to get frustrated with myself, and that only makes things worse. So, I know that I need to get more familiar with looking at my speedometer, and tachometer and knowing what gear to go into, or what gear I am currently in.
Well it's time for me to get busy, so that is all.

Have a great evening,
Don

Week Five - Tuesday/ Wednesday

I was unable to Blog last evening as I was on the road to see my Son conduct his middle school choir in Buffalo. It was an awesome concert, and he did a great job.

Yesterday, I had a great road ride showing improvement in clutching and shifting. I felt really good coming off that ride. I finally got a ride with my original classroom Instructor.

Today, I drove back to school and got in to the yard around 9:00 am. I met up with some of the guys and started working on backing maneuvers, and drop and hooks. We have been working on these maneuvers for a long time now, but the Instructors will not add additional maneuvers till next week. This is to keep us on track with our 10-week program. Honestly, it is a bit boring, but we have yet to truly master the maneuvers we do know. I had another great road ride with yet another Instructor.

That's it for today,

Best Regards,
Don

Week Five - Monday

Hello, welcome to another week at NTTS Liverpool, NY. Today, out Team continued to work on PreTrip inspections, drop and hooks, straight line backing, and c-side backing. In the morning our third team member mastered the c-side backing, and finally, just before knock-off, our fourth team member nailed the c-side backing. It was sooo great to finally have all of us doing the c-side maneuver.
This morning, two new guys came onboard Team Two, to get their Class B training. The B folks use a straight truck, but do similar backing maneuvers. I helped them with their pre-trip inspections, and then demonstrated the straight line backing maneuver in the B-truck. Both the B-guys took right to it with no problems.
Todays lab was on breaks and setting the slack adjusters. I thought this was going to be rather complicated, but it turned out to be rather simple to do.

So, that's about it for today, I should get another road-ride tomorrow.

Take it easy,
Don

Week Four - Friday

TGIF: Today was a long day. No road-ride, unfortunately. Our lab today was on Bridge formula, and calculating Axle weights. We then got into when, why, and how to slide your Tandem and or fifth wheel.
The Team continued working on straight line and C-side backing. Two of us have it locked, one is close, and one is getting better.
After only one week in the various trucks, I am feeling more relaxed and my shifting and yard maneuvers are really coming along well. In addition to continued road rides, straight line and c-side backing, next week we will add off-side and blind-side backing. We also will continue our Pre trip inspections and drop and hook procedures. Our Team has 6 more weeks to master these techniques. If we attack the next six weeks with the same hard-charging attitude we had this week, we will pass the NTTS program as well as our Road Test with flying colors.

Well, as I am home now, and my nice big bed is just behind me, I think I will call it a night. It's been a long hard week.

Have a great weekend and I will see you Monday evening.

Regards.
Don