Just passed the driving test for Schneider National

Although this week has been difficult, being away from my family and all, as of Thursday evening I have passed the driving portion of the qualification tests with Schneider National.  I still need to pass the backing and written test in order to be hired, but I don't think this will be a problem.  Once hired, I will be going out with my Training Engineer (TE) for a week for more detailed instructions and training.  This will prepare me for my hard skills testing when I return to the Schneider Training Academy. I will also be learning about the new MPC200 unit (e.g. sort of a mini-computer) in our cabs, as well as map reading, trip planning and the like. Then I will take the final soft skills test and once passed, I will return home to get my own truck and then I will be out on the road driving and delivering cargo.

It will be different, but I am glad that I have the ability to call home every night. I will need to switch my Cricket cell phone to Sprint so that I will be able to video conference with my family. Also, Cricket coverage is very poor in the areas that I will be driving. I lost signal once I hit Saint George, Utah and didn't get the signal back until I reached Claremont, California.  Unfortunately, the signal here is very poor and I keep dropping calls, so I have been using my Skype to call home with.  From my discussion with other drivers, Sprint works best for truckers as their coverage is the best for the routes that trucks drive on.

Schneider National Orientation and Training for Thumper

Expression This is my diary (Will be updated throughout training/orientation period).

02/22(Wed)　Day 3 - A Challenge

School started at 6:00 a.m. PST today, so it was an early start. We covered paper logs then went over to the training field, worked on the simulator, observed the pretrip demonstration in the engine compartment, covered hooking up and unhooking a trailor from the tractor (power unit). Then I went over to a truck and Craig walked me through several backing up exercises. In all honesty, I like their (Schneider's) backup method better than Roadmaster's (theirs was too limited). I also learned how to double shift up and down on the simulator. The simulator would be cool to have at home. I'd be able to always practice in it and the kids would get a bang at trying their hand at it. Called Colleen and the kids and talked with her and Jesus. Juan was not feeling good and wasn't up to talking on the phone. I talked with Luna and Gidget and they definitely recognized my voice but didn't like the phone. Will have to get them a treat when I get back home. In any case, I am not feeling well. I think I will turn in and get up early in the morning to do some studying before going into the Schneiter Training Academy in Fontana, CA. Until then, hope all is going well with you ... my family. I love and miss you all very much!

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02/21(Tues)　Day 2 - PreWork Check

Today was interesting. We filled out the required paperwork for hire and did the prework physical, which we had to pass in order to drive for Schneider National as we may have to unload trailors. I passed with flying colors. We received a Company Driver manual with a lot of useful information. It is interesting how much more information is in this book than the one I used at Roadmaster Drivers School in West Valley City, Utah. After the paper work was done, we were returned to the motel, where I called and talked with the family and chatted with Gabriel Tas Djinn via iChat. It was relaxing. I took a shower and then went to bed as I was very tired as I was at Schneider National in Fontana, CA at 6:00 a.m. this morning and I came in late last night on Greyhound Bus.

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02/20(Mon)　Day 1 - Departed From Utah, Arrived in Ontario, California

I was up early this morning, having slept well. This morning reminds me of when I initially left for the US Navy 14Jan1985. I was not giddy, nor depressed, but was calm, slightly detached. I felt some excitement as this was a new adventure, but a bit saddened that I would be separated from my wife, boys and my four legged kids. I got my family up and we got ready to take me to the Greyhound Bus Terminal in Salt Lake City, Utah. There was no hurry and we drove there in the Dodge van. We arrived there at 7:45 a.m. MST, checked in (had to pay $10 for my third bag. While waiting for the bus, Jesus became a bit aggressive, but I think this was due to the fact that I was leaving. Jesus just became silent. I told the boys that I loved them, which Colleen reiterated meant something, as I am not one to bandy this about lightly. Funny thing was, I meant it. I love these boys and am glad that they will be getting adopted June 21st of this year if all things work out well for us. By 8:20 a.m. MST I kissed my wife goodbye, gave her and the boys a final hug and boarded the bus (bus #6229). This bus would take me to Las Vegas, Nevada, where I would transfer to another bus to take me to Ontario, CA. The bus ride was long, and I was able to finish two papers, half of my book and the movie Captain America.  While there was plenty of room from Salt Lake City, Utah to Las Vegas, Nevada, the bus from Las Vegas to California was crowded and very uncomfortable.  The big thrill was in watching a woman at the Las Vegas terminal rant and rave about how she was somebody making over $32/hour and new stars and was moaning to everyone and the Greyhound people about this and the fact that she had to wait until today to get her ticket changed to get on the bus. Due to her bothering all of the customers patiently waiting for their bus, and the fact that the ticket was not for the bus I was on, she was denied entry onto the bus. She eventually just threw the ticket at the security guy and stormed off out of the terminal.  There are times that I wish I had her alleged problem of having a job paying me $32/hour - that would make life so much easier.  Oh well, I think I will enjoy driving trucks, as I can still stay in touch with my family and I can do some studying to boot. I just need to get used to the truck and the driving.  So much to learn, but it is a start of another adventure. I was able to call Colleen and Mom to let them know that I had arrived safely. Arrived late, but safe and sound.

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Mardi Gras Alligator King Adult Costume | Mens Mascot Halloween Costumes

This would make a nice costume for Mardi Gras. I would just need to get the beads to go with it and it would be all set. Still looking for the other holidays, but I was just thinking this would be fun, to have costumes for all of the holidays so that I could dress up for the kids and have some fun.

Mardi Gras Alligator King Adult Costume | Mens Mascot Halloween Costumes

Cascadia Truck Style - Freightliner Trucks - Freightliner Trucks

This is the type of truck I would like. Still wanting to look at the Kenworths, but so far, this is the best truck I've seen for driver comfort and power.

Cascadia Truck Style - Freightliner Trucks - Freightliner Trucks

Cultivating what gives you joy

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. - Goethe

The easiest way to identify what our heart wants is to examine the feelings that surface when we relate to that subject. Do you find solace when picking up your journal to write a daily reflection? Does time spent with your family thrill you to tears? What feelings arise when you chase down the things that make your heart flutter? True happiness comes when we routinely engage in positive activities that we love. Take a look at your life as a whole. Pursue the things that make you feel alive and fill you with joy and healthy balance.

My thoughts on this is that it is true. I find that when I put my thoughts down on paper, not necessarily to share with others (though I sometimes do), I find a release that feels a bit like liberation. Instead of holding my feelings and thoughts inside, I can let them out in a nondestructive and constructive way. The best part is, I can review these at a later time and reflect on changes that have occurred since I originally wrote them down. Of course, with today's technology, we can now do this in video and audio files, or PowerPoint presentations, or any other format. Reminds me of the Captain's Log on Star Trek, but more flexible. Keeping a diary gives us the power to explore ourselves and our feelings, ideals, thoughts, and even our imaginings. Who knows, you may find inspiration to write a book in the future from these deliberations. In any case, I hope the best for you. Now if I can just get my boys and wife to do this... (thoughts are always appreciated).

~Thumper

Long Term Effects from Sleep Apnea

Here is an interesting clip concerning latest findings of long term effects of sleep apnea.

Update from 08 February 2012. Another week to go and then I will have enough data from my CPAP machine to pass my DOT physical for Schneider National. Once done, I will be able to get another sleep study done to acertain the current status of my sleep apnea. I tried to locate old records of this, but to no avail. Good thing I have a machine issued by the VA (Veterans Administration), and that it has a memory card that can be read by Concentra Medical (the people doing my DOT physical).  On a side note, I just got my CDL Class A with all of the endorsements on it. I aced the hazardous materials test, which isn't too surprising as this was a field I used to work in when I was in the military (I managed this program and was an inspector to boot).