Here I am, Driving :)
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
A New Start - Again
No, I haven't written for a while...
In fact, I haven't driven for a while, either. Drastic changes happened at the company we used to work for. Our boss took away the car, and most of the work too. What remained wasn't enough to earn us enough. So we had to look for other options.
We were incredibly lucky to find a company near who would employ us for dual driving! We are supposed to get a larger car later on, but at the moment we are being tested on smaller vans and trucks. We already completed one errand to Germany, and experiences are good so far.
Just a little taste of it.
We left on friday in a van that has TWO beds! We haven't seen anything like that. Looks like an ordinary van from te outside, you couldn't tell it's used for long-distance hauling! I won't say it's the Hilton, but far better than sleeping on the seats or on the floor.
We had to spend the weekend in Germany. We were lucky to have a sunny Saturday, and took a stroll in the town centre where we were stationed. We stumbled upon the town market, where they were giving away flowers for ladies - to celebrate the coming International Women's Day. I also got a yellow rose, which was an anexpected surprise. We made a vase of a plastic bottle, and the rose came home with us :) On top of that, they were also giving away fresh coffee and donoughts, so we had a very nice breakfast.
We spent the rest of the day reading, and making friends with other truck drivers in the parking lot.
I guess, this was a nice change after being stranded for so long :)
In fact, I haven't driven for a while, either. Drastic changes happened at the company we used to work for. Our boss took away the car, and most of the work too. What remained wasn't enough to earn us enough. So we had to look for other options.
We were incredibly lucky to find a company near who would employ us for dual driving! We are supposed to get a larger car later on, but at the moment we are being tested on smaller vans and trucks. We already completed one errand to Germany, and experiences are good so far.
Just a little taste of it.
We left on friday in a van that has TWO beds! We haven't seen anything like that. Looks like an ordinary van from te outside, you couldn't tell it's used for long-distance hauling! I won't say it's the Hilton, but far better than sleeping on the seats or on the floor.
We had to spend the weekend in Germany. We were lucky to have a sunny Saturday, and took a stroll in the town centre where we were stationed. We stumbled upon the town market, where they were giving away flowers for ladies - to celebrate the coming International Women's Day. I also got a yellow rose, which was an anexpected surprise. We made a vase of a plastic bottle, and the rose came home with us :) On top of that, they were also giving away fresh coffee and donoughts, so we had a very nice breakfast.
We spent the rest of the day reading, and making friends with other truck drivers in the parking lot.
I guess, this was a nice change after being stranded for so long :)
Sunday, January 2, 2011
So much for not doing it alone...
As I mentioned before, my husband had to go to Spain - without me. It gave me chances to practice the "wife" role, which was great, but dusting, sweeping and washing up the dishes doesn't pay too well... To meke me feel at least a little bit important in my job, I got a task of loading the MAN Alone!!!! Two guys took the stuff to Germany, but they took their rest time, so only I remained with a clean driving card.
I called my friend Ági to keep me company. We worked together in the factory last January, so I knew she was not the sissy-type. In fact, I could bet she would enjoy it! And so she did!
I met her around 11, and we drove straight to the truck yard. I was sorry I couldn't invite her for a coffee - the cab was full of the two other guy's stuff. Anyway, I started the engine and showed her around. She was amazed by the 8 gears. My boss also asked me to fill up the tank, so first we drove to the petrol station. The truck has 3 tanks, so it was a pretty nice job filling up all of them. It was cold, my fingers almost froze to the nozzle. Otherwise it was sunny, and we were really geatful for that! Imagine my first loading in rain or blizzard!....
When we arrived to the factory they were expecting us. But the guys who handled the ware were not prepared for two girls! They were trying to pretend they were not surprised, but they were not too successful. I had to take charge for everything, so I opened the curtain at the back, and told the guy where to put the pallettes. I fastened the cargo and signed the papers. It does not seem difficult, but don't try doing everything on your own before practicing the steps with someone else first :) I could see Ági hated just standing there, and wanted to help more - but I wanted to do everything myself before training somebody else :)
I called my friend Ági to keep me company. We worked together in the factory last January, so I knew she was not the sissy-type. In fact, I could bet she would enjoy it! And so she did!
I met her around 11, and we drove straight to the truck yard. I was sorry I couldn't invite her for a coffee - the cab was full of the two other guy's stuff. Anyway, I started the engine and showed her around. She was amazed by the 8 gears. My boss also asked me to fill up the tank, so first we drove to the petrol station. The truck has 3 tanks, so it was a pretty nice job filling up all of them. It was cold, my fingers almost froze to the nozzle. Otherwise it was sunny, and we were really geatful for that! Imagine my first loading in rain or blizzard!....
When we arrived to the factory they were expecting us. But the guys who handled the ware were not prepared for two girls! They were trying to pretend they were not surprised, but they were not too successful. I had to take charge for everything, so I opened the curtain at the back, and told the guy where to put the pallettes. I fastened the cargo and signed the papers. It does not seem difficult, but don't try doing everything on your own before practicing the steps with someone else first :) I could see Ági hated just standing there, and wanted to help more - but I wanted to do everything myself before training somebody else :)
It was taken on the yellow Magnum in the good ol' days...
To tell you the truth, I am not a master of the truckers' language in English. I wanted to write about the incident with one of the "spanifers", but I don't know the proper name. (You can see 4 "spanifers" on the photo above - if any of you can help me, please, write a comment.) So I was put off. The problem was solved, anyway, just as every problem is solved sooner or later. In some way...
In the end, we completed the loading, went home, made lunch, and went out to a concert with Ági. We were listening to excellent blues while our MAN and the cargo was on its way to Germany - and my man was on his way home from Spain. These three things - the MAN, my husband and me - should have been together. But at least I've succeeded in my first "truck driver's mission" on my own! And we had a great girls' day out :)
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The definition of "truck driver"
I'm not a lady.
Sometimes I'm an English teacher, a photographer, a journalist, an editor, a shop assistant, a wife, a friend. Sometimes I drive a truck. Does that make me a truck driver? Maybe. But ususlly - I'm just me.
I'm learning to drive. My husband teaches me. I've got a driving license, but there's more to it. First of all, I have to learn the car. The 8+2 gears. The dimensions. How to turn, to accelerate, to slow down, to brake, to take a roundabout. Drive on the motorway and in the city. Handle situations. And I have to learn to use the horn :)
Then I learn to concentrate. Take in all information for the full 4.30 hours. Even if we're on the motorway or in a jam, in snow or rain or wind. Day and night. I learn to listen to the GPS. See it, hear it. Act it. My full attention has to be on the road and traffic. Then, when my shift is over, I have to rest. I have to sleep quickly and deeply. Time is limited.
Next, I have to learn to plan. Plan the loading, calculate the weight, secure the goods. Fasten tightly. Handle the papers, sign, stample. Learn the petrol stations. Guess distances and times, kilometres and consuption. When to stop for diesel, and when to stop to pee.
I have to know the law. How much to drive and rest. A day, a week, a month. Handle the tachograph. Not forget the vest, the snow chain, the First Aid Kit, the triangle, the spare lights, the documents. Fasten the seatbelt. Keep distance. Speed limits at certain times. No overtaking with heavy vehicles. No parking. No pardon.
I have to know this from day 1. This is how everybody starts it. I wonder how they manage. I never want to do it on my own - but the day may come. I hope not :) I drive with my husband. He teaches me - and I'm learning to drive.
Sometimes I'm an English teacher, a photographer, a journalist, an editor, a shop assistant, a wife, a friend. Sometimes I drive a truck. Does that make me a truck driver? Maybe. But ususlly - I'm just me.
I'm learning to drive. My husband teaches me. I've got a driving license, but there's more to it. First of all, I have to learn the car. The 8+2 gears. The dimensions. How to turn, to accelerate, to slow down, to brake, to take a roundabout. Drive on the motorway and in the city. Handle situations. And I have to learn to use the horn :)
Then I learn to concentrate. Take in all information for the full 4.30 hours. Even if we're on the motorway or in a jam, in snow or rain or wind. Day and night. I learn to listen to the GPS. See it, hear it. Act it. My full attention has to be on the road and traffic. Then, when my shift is over, I have to rest. I have to sleep quickly and deeply. Time is limited.
Next, I have to learn to plan. Plan the loading, calculate the weight, secure the goods. Fasten tightly. Handle the papers, sign, stample. Learn the petrol stations. Guess distances and times, kilometres and consuption. When to stop for diesel, and when to stop to pee.
I have to know the law. How much to drive and rest. A day, a week, a month. Handle the tachograph. Not forget the vest, the snow chain, the First Aid Kit, the triangle, the spare lights, the documents. Fasten the seatbelt. Keep distance. Speed limits at certain times. No overtaking with heavy vehicles. No parking. No pardon.
I have to know this from day 1. This is how everybody starts it. I wonder how they manage. I never want to do it on my own - but the day may come. I hope not :) I drive with my husband. He teaches me - and I'm learning to drive.
Welcome
We started our blog roadwalkers about a year ago. Here we write about boring details of our life together - all in Hungarian. A few days ago I realized that you guys have no real access to all that information. So instead of teaching you Hungarian I decided to start a blog in English. It won't simply be the translation of roadwalkers, so those of you who master both languages will have double fun! :)
Watch out for posts, I'll try to do my best in the next few days, while my dear husband is in Spain...
...details will follow soon!
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