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Holy cow! Twenty-nine emails between midnight and 8:00 a.m. PST.
Safety is obviously a hot button issue, as seen in the recent "alleged unsafe
operation" thread. Don't most states make you get a CDL or equivalent to drive a
deuce and a half? In California you need a Class B license plus you have to pass
the Air Brake test. Also, you have to take a physical every two years to insure
that the driver is not going to seize up or vapor lock behind the wheel. I spent
many months with a learner's permit with a licensed trucker in the right seat
before I could fly solo.
My friend's 15 year old son wanted to "drive" my shop van recently. We did a
complete walk around with me showing him what to look for and checked all fluids.
I showed him how to start the truck and monitor the gages. I sat next to him
while he drove slowly around a large field in low range. Is he ready for the
road? Of course not, but he respects the truck and knows why I push safety.
Matt Tait
Fullerton, CA
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Mar 02 2000 - 22:30:29 PST