The end is in sight....

Nearing the end of this chapter of the journey -- all that remains between me and moving on to Phase 2 is approximately an hour's worth of class time and a 30-question test of our knowledge of DOT regulations, routing/planning and log-keeping.  I should have taken this test today, but i was late coming back from the lunch break and was summarily (and without pity) told to come back tomorrow for the next day's duplicate class.  They take tardiness very seriously, even if i did have a good excuse (i was busy trying to resolve updating my medical card, which expires in a month).  This iron approach is presumably because they want to instill in their new drivers the importance of being on time.  And if you can't be on time for class, how can they trust you with a load of freight, the lateness of which could cost the company a customer.  A bit over the top, but a reasonable expectation i suppose....

So tomorrow afternoon i will take the final test of my Apprenticeship.  There's a lot of pressure on this test too -- you have two tries at it and if you fail both times they send you home, even after all the effort and time that has been invested to date.  And it is reportedly not an easy test; often failed the first time out of the chute.   If a second try is needed, you are given a different version of the test and a final opportunity to move forward with your truck driving career.  A bit nervous, but it is an open-book test, which gives me a little comfort.

Oh, i found out more about my roommate's name.  It's not Dennis/WES, it's Dennis/WEST, as in: West Side, as in: a name given to him in Joliet prison.....   He served three years of a six-year sentence for aggravated assault associated with a gang-related shooting with which he was involved when he was 19.  He is an interesting paradox....as fun-loving, outgoing and good-natured a person as you can imagine, but his stories reveal a definite dark side, and he is not afraid to flip that switch when it needs to be flipped.  I'm REALLY glad he likes me and i'm on his good side.  I don't think i'd like to be the guy who, while in prison together, he beat with a wall telephone because he wouldn't move his feet off of an ice chest Dennis/West was trying to get into.  He landed 90 days in solitary confinement because of that stunt.  The other guy didn't fair too well....

I've decided to start tidying up my side of the MF'ing room.....

This afternoon West and I, along with a former football playing Hawaiian named Junior, and Kendall (the gal who braided my hair) went to China Buffet to eat.  It was literally the second sit-down meal i've eaten in a month and i proved it by wolfing down two overflowing plates of noodles, pork, chicken, beef and vegetables.  We then walked about a mile to Walmart to do a little shopping for necessities and then took the shuttle back to the England campus.

While trying to resolve my medical card issue today i learned that i've lost about 13 lbs, so i'm really pleased about that.  Most people have gained weight during their Phase 1 training.

I'm pretty well decided that i'm going to go the six-month demo lease route.  The notion of being out on someone else's truck for another two months with limited home time is more than i can stand.  And the challenge of running as a lease-operator (which is an independent contractor to CR England) is attractive.  I feel fairly confident that i can't get into too much trouble in six months...famous last words.

After tomorrow afternoon's test we are assigned a new Phase 2 trainer, with whom i will drive for 10 days.  Then i pick out a truck for lease and i'm off on my own.  First stop, home for a few days!!  Can't wait to see the girls.

Stay safe everyone....

KWA