Journal postings give an intimate look into my process and what’s important to me.

Chicago dog walker

by dotto | May 28, 2019 | Journal, process

Chicago dog walker Have you ever thought of walking dogs as a job?As an illustrator who still relies on supplemental income, I’m always on the lookout for job leads that are less demanding than a full 9-to-5 but are enjoyable and rewarding at the same time. I...

When Trucks Have Nightmares

by dotto | Sep 2, 2018 | Journal, trucking

When Trucks Have Nightmares Do trucks have nightmares? If trucks have nightmares I’m sure these three would be at the top of their lists: 1. Blown over by wind Sometimes you can’t predict what the wind is going to do. Check out this video. Empty trailers...

Trucker Talk

by dotto | Sep 2, 2018 | Journal, trucking

Trucker Talk Dinner at Amelia’s in the Ramada Hotel is the best place to eavesdrop on trucker talk. The Ramada was my home during orientation at Prime Inc. and Amelia’s Bar and Grill is where I ate most every night. This Ramada is pretty unique for having...

Trainer Tim

by dotto | Aug 17, 2018 | Journal, trucking

Trainer Tim All of the in-house trainers at Prime SLC are pretty cool. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with them so far. But Trainer Tim shines just a bit brighter. He speaks with a gruff, aged hippie inflection (“Far out, groovy man”). But...

Tandem Suspension Pre-trip Inspection

by dotto | Aug 14, 2018 | Journal, trucking

Tandem Suspension Pre-trip Inspection Today we focused on memorizing the suspension parts of the trailer tandem wheels. Repeatedly running through the verbiage for a pre-trip inspection is helping us to learn the names and locations of parts that are critical to the...

Backing Boss Ben

by dotto | Aug 11, 2018 | Journal, trucking

Backing Boss Ben Prime instructor Ben got us going on how to turn and use cone markers to complete straight-line, offset, and alley dock backing maneuvers. First he diagrammed them on a white board in one of the classrooms, then he took us out on the “pad”...

Pre-trip Inspection Jargon

by dotto | Aug 10, 2018 | Journal, trucking

Pre-trip Inspection Jargon Yesterday a student from the class previous to mine gave us our first look at how a tractor/trailer pre-trip inspection is done. There are quite a bit of names and jargon to remember. The inspection is broken down into six areas: Engine...

Simulator Practice

by dotto | Aug 9, 2018 | Journal, trucking

Simulator Practice Today we got a chance to try out the driving simulator. With a driver’s seat and three large center and side monitors, it almost feels like one of those driving video games you’d see at a fun center. But this is programmed to accurately...