BEST TO YOU MARITZA

Well today MARITZA and I parted company, only to look forwards to the day(S) ahead when we meet again on the road. We had 11 gr8 days together. As a student, She's been the best. I couldn't have ASKED THE LORD for a student with a better attitude. After loosing my previous student, to accept a challenge in a FEMALE student, I find the LORD put both of us together for a purpose. Perhaps to re-enforce both or our needs. She being a CHRISTIAN, perhaps needing the understanding nature of another CHRISTIAN, and vise versa. I want to believe we were there for each other. We worked through a number of different senarios, between the loads, the scales, the paperwork and the MOTEL arrangements. We ate some gr8 meals at he CHINA HOUSE in WOOD RIVER, near EDWARDSVILLE OC, and LAMBERTS, in SIKESTON, MO.

We arrived DALLAS on FRIDAY, met Rich, went out to eat at the local ROADHOUSE, and got to our hotel rooms. We came back to the DALLAS OC, and I continued working on her backing (with help from her husband, RICH) today. Together, we found a new explaination for "GET UNDER IT", describing the manueuver as a broken trailer, stearing the tractor in reverse, to straighten it out. BY GOLLY, I THINK SHE's GOT IT!! (FROM what musical??)

Well at about 3PM, Maritza and Rich, left for their hotel, to stay the weekend, and prepare to take her SQT on MONDAY, with a CDL test later in the week.

I just got a load (RELAY) from DALLAS OC to TULSA, OK, delivering on Monday @ 0800. Plenty of time.

I guess I'll be holding her up as a standard, for future students.

ANOTHER WEEK DONE

Am sitting @ INDY, waiting on a load assignment, working with Maritza on trip plannig. She's been asking a lot of good questions throughout the week. We've put on about 2500 miles together in 5 days. We took turns at staying in the hotel vs the truck. Schneider requires that with a female student we get a hotel for one of us. Some TEs maintain that the student stays in the truck, even at truckstops. I decide based on the area and conditions at the truckstop and/or hotel.

Yesterday Maritza was put from the PAN INTO THE FIRE...She had to drive thru the mountains of NC, VA and WV. I guess descriptively one could say she had her ups and downs that day. Her shifting improved gr8ly since we first hooked up together last tuesday. She really tries hard, talking to herself (driving narratives), sometimes a little frustrated, knowing though that tomorrow will be better.

I'm supposed to have her back in DALLAS this next weekend, in time for her SQTs and my headed back home. Naturally she's looking forwards to seeing her husband (RICH) and teaming with him after passing her tests. I believe she will do quite well.

STUDENT FROM DALLAS - MARITZA

HAving delivered my last two load since releasing odilon at Gary, I arrived at DALLAS on Saturday. I checked with the DALLAS TE supervisor this morning and asked if she had a student available. As luck would have it, SHE DID!!

I met with MARITZA this morning, along with her husband, RICH. Rich is a 6 yr veteran with SCHNEIDER, and when Maritza finishes training, they paln to team together. He didn't want to be the one training his wife.

I received our assignment, a relay load from the Dallas OC to NEW BERN, NC. about 1300 miles. INTERSTATE most of the way, the last 250 Miles (+/-) on state truck routes. Should be interesting. Will keep you posted. Will try to add a foto when one becomes available.

Lost a Student II

Odilon, decided that trucking wasn't for him. That decision was made after I gave him a less than favorable evaluation. In the end, he decided for himself. Enough said!

ANOTHER NEW STUDENT

Well I met ODILON (DILON) at Gary this morning. Seems like we'll get along fine. Dilon is bery inqizitive, aming to better his driving skills. PHOTO to FOLLOW

We had a relay going from GARY to BUFORD, GA. Another KC load.. Tomorrow, I plan to introduce DILON to the hills and DALES of Georgia, improvong his bump and runs.

Whiete Knuckles here I come