No more tests!!

Well, i took my last written test, and....failed it.  Thankfully, you get a second shot at it before they send you home, and i passed it the second (and last) time.  Whew.  Which means all my testing is DONE. Feels somehow anticlimactic, since it seems all we've done is go from one test to another....

Now i am just waiting for my Phase 2 trainer to give me a call.  He is supposedly here at the Salt Lake City facility (as am I), but when i tried to call his cell it was not accepting calls.   So i need to wait on him to call me.  My god, we do a lot of waiting here.  And we're also hearing so much negativity about the company that it's hard to stay upbeat, even when you reach a milestone like passing your final test.  The way everyone bitches you'd think that the company was going under because they can't retain a single driver.  I'm committed to sticking it out though.  I've got to believe that a company that has stayed afloat for over 90 years is doing something right.  So i'm going to simply stick with the program and see what happens.  It's getting to be a pretty tough grind though.  Especially after being away from home for two months.

One bright spot has been my new friend, Junior Fa'apuna (left), a Samoan from Hawaii, who is also here for his Phase 2 upgrade.  He and i met just the other day, but we hit it off like old friends.  He's Mormon, and we've had a great time talking about spiritual matters, trucking, music, women (neither of us understand them) and football (he used to play for the U of W, and is a big Chiefs fan).  But mostly music and spiritual issues.  We've pretty much been inseparable since meeting.  As you can see, Junior is a pretty big guy and apparently he's the smallest in his family, which includes at least one Sumo wrestler, and former all-pro linebacker Junior Seau.

It's been great getting to know Junior, and our conversations have been fun.  Much deeper and philosophical than the usual BS you hear around the pool tables or the lunch room here. He's got his Phase 2 trainer already and leaves tomorrow morning.  I'll miss him, but i'm sure we'll remain friends and will stay in touch.

Once i connect with my Phase 2 trainer i should be out on the road with him for 10 days and then back to  Salt Lake City to lease a new truck.  Then (fingers crossed) home.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Stay safe everyone....  Remember, tread on your drive tires should be no less than 4/32" deep.

KWA