I was curious how the driving school went at FT recently. We are new owners and my DW is very reluctant to drive. If it was worthwhile we will try to attend the next one.
OH
OH.... When we went to Nac to "coach-shop" for our first FT in Nov. 2009, it was coincidentally during the Ladies Driving School. We had just sold our Airstream TT, and I had never been behind the wheel of anything bigger than our 3/4-ton pickup! Like your DW, I was VERY reluctant to drive a coach. However, the Ladies Driving School gave me the courage to get behind the wheel and provided me enough confidence to know I could do it.... particularly since they had us driving a new 45' behemoth! And the 36' coach we bought that week didn't seem nearly so large! :))
About two months later, we arranged for a two-day course with the RV Driving School (Current School Locations (http://rvschool.com/rvschool/Current_School_Locations.html)). They have instructors in several states (including TX) - we chose Yuma, AZ for our classes (Dan Sheppard was the instructor there, and he was fantastic), since we lived in NM at the time. The course was 12 hours (3 hours in the morning, and 3 in the afternoon, on two consecutive days), and is taught in your coach - and can be for one driver, or for both of you. We chose the latter, and we can highly recommend the experience. Not only driving, but they will customize the course to your specific needs related to your particular coach.
Since the next Foretravel Ladies Driving School is not until mid-November, 2014 (Foretravel Conversions : Upcoming Events (http://www.foretravel.com/inc/motorcade-events-view.php?id=241)), you all may want to start with the RV Driving School, and return next year to the Ladies Driving School in Nac.
While I don't drive more than about 20% of the time (usually rest stop to rest stop on the interstate), it is nice to give George a break on long driving days.... and he does snooze in the passenger seat... unless I holler, "oh, crap, there are orange cones and Jersey barriers up ahead" (I think I'm a construction magnet!). :P
Having a partner to share in the driving really helps. It also helps each person to understand the challenges. After she drove at night one time, she no longer questioned my reluctance to drive at night.
Marilyn drives about 0-40% of the time/distance. I usually drive around four or five hours in a day and she drives the rest. I frequently take a nap on the sofa. "Scream if you need anything," is usually my last comment before I doze while she drives. No screams so far. :P
She has been reluctant to do LDS because she doesn't want to drive someone else's 45' $750K behemoth on streets of a town we visit a few times a year. She started to show a bit of interest on learning that LDS is an class on "operating the systems" rather than just "driving the bus."
Ladies Driving School is through the first two days with 2 days to go. Ladies start driving tomorrow (Wednesday) and again Thursday. All seem to be enjoying the class and as usual with Foretravel events, the new friends make a great social event.
Lots of work going on in the service area.
jack
We have enjoyed the time here with Foretravel folks. Rhonda has enjoyed the class and I have enjoyed the joint sessions and the great food and fellowship.
She will do fine driving once she figures out the 320 is a little bigger than her Jetta TDI wagon but almost as nimble.
Driving school has been very informative so far. Since we are such newbies there is lots to learn. Reading manuals and watching YouTube videos is helpful but there are things you miss...for instance I learned today that the safety cables on the toad need to be crossed...we drove 1600 miles without crossing them and fortunately without a problem!
Tomorrow we get to put all this theory into practice... :-X
We're enjoying all the folks we're meeting and Don has been been kept busy demonstrating his modifications. We're on the list for service...need to get the fuel lines replaced and the front end aligned...hopefully on Thursday.
Tys and Don
I commented on this in another thread that began I think before this one.
Jackie was a bit reluctant or with some trepidation to attend. Has had a great time for two days and it has given me a few moments to talk shop with a couple of the guys, see their coaches. Very enjoyable.
She came home with some homework tonight! We had to do some things, where is this and that? What does this weigh? What are the dimensions, how to air the tires? Mostly she knew of some items, had heard the terms in our travels or my working on things, but that was in a casual way. This has brought much more focus.
As I noted before, in the other thread, if you are not here, you or you wife is considering this, it is more an Operator School than we expected and that is very good. We have been quite favorably impressed and it has been worth the expense.
Cheers, Mike
Ladies' Driving School is the BEST. I will go again, someday, just for my own confidence (like Hannalore Thomas!!). It will perhaps never be my favorite thing to do ... and I only get behind the wheel rest stop to rest stop on an interstate, at this point. BUT ... I know that I CAN if I need to, and that is the point. What they might consider, is a Mens' Passenger School ... as many fellows simply do not know how to relinquish that seat and relax and enjoy the view!
Hey --- I haven't screamed from the passenger set yet! I've gasped a few times. Marilyn and I help each other watch things, but are pretty good about not telling the other how to drive (unless asked).
I encourage "partners," male or female, to participate in operating the equipment. I think it provides a better experience for traveling partners. If the LDS will help participation and sharing, go!
Carol, I do not think I could give up the wheel as I love driving-anytime_ and can go 24 hrs if needed. Geoff knows what I mean as when we were bringing their coach back from NJ I did most of the driving or after a few hours of him , and one day he looked at me and said "Brother, you are a machine as you never get tired"
I would like Ruth to try driving but she keeps saying"if something happens to me we have a chauffeur (friend) who will fly out to drive it home"
My Father was the same and when he had to give the wheel to my Mother due to his oncoming Dementia it really hurt him and his pride.
John H
Jackie had another great day at the Ladies Driving School. So proud of herself, backed it up several times to park and drove an obstacle course with other ladies. Met lots of fellow students and she wishes could get them to move here. Great weather for the school to go with the instruction that has been very professional, and the seminars for the men has been informative too.
Hope you get to attend the school if have an interest one day and have not already made it. Unfortunately have a bit of health interference or could have these folks out for evening on the patio. Still, they probably have pourtravel in fine swing at the Camp FOT.
Mike
Peggy and I have both had a great time here at Camp Foretravel. We've been parked next to my brother and his wife who was also in the course. Both ladies had a great time and plan to drive us on to our weekend stay at a COE campground. Then we'll be back here on Monday for some of David Flannigan's remodel work and a roof coating application.
Next to my family were Don and Tys. It was a really treat to get to see all of Don's handy work with the rebuild of his coach.
We met many other great folks and look forward to seeing them in the future.
Rich and Peggy
Good to meet you and your family Rich ^.^d all the people here in Camp FT have been great to be around... Except maybe the cashier lady! Okay, just kidding :D She was nice to, and I will have a few more opportunities to meet her before our stay is over. Wayne did the front end alignment, and other than the fact that our coach threw the pump belt on his test run, that went well. The Gates Green Stripe belt separated along the edge. I just put it on along with a new gates tensioner before we left San Diego. The pulley alignment looked good and had no noise or problems in the 1600 or so miles since, but now I have the spare used belt on and will have to pony up for a FOT priced replacement... Over twice what I paid for the deceased belt on Amazon :o Guess I should have bought two! Anyway, preliminary drive around seemed significantly better at tracking straight. He said that my front tire pressure was too high at 105 (new Michelin XZA III+'s). I have been a believer in running at the max cold pressure on car tires, but he made the argument that these tires get a 'basketball' like profile at the higher inflation pressures and tend to be skittish on the highway. I never experienced uneven wear or bald tread in the center of my car tires, but I have to plead ignorance as regards these behomoths we drive. He dropped the pressure down to 90psi so not sure how much, if any, of my perceived improvement is because of decreased tire pressure or because of the increased caster. I will have to do some experimenting. I know there are persuasive arguments on both sides of the tire pressure issue, but I will have to find my own way to live with it. I am a believer in keeping the tire temperatures as low as possible for safety, decreased rolling resistance, and longevity but good tracking under varied conditions will trump all of that.
Don
Here are a few pics from the LDS awards banquet last night...I took more on Don's phone when mine ran out of power but he will have to post those.
Tys
Gang:
We are in the 4th pic from the left. Mary and Doug. The Ladies Driving School. Awesome confidence builder! Thanks to all.
Mary drove all day today and pulled us into the tightest spot we've been in 15 years.
Doug
Rhonda drove from Nach to Chickasha (almost 400 miles) with me only driving a very short time to give her a break. She pulled into the Loves truck lanes in Ardmore OK for us to fuel.
She did a great job on the Interstate and also in the narrow streets of the small towns we went through.
Since she's retired and I'm not I may never see her or the coach again
Yay Rhonda!
Way to go girls! The wind Friday was blowing too! As normal it was from the side. The question about the Ladies Driving School is worth it? YES! You hear how good it is and wonder is it really that good? The answer is YES! If you drive now you still learn something or may jog your memory, and you get to meet a lot of good people. If you don't want to drive it is a good way to experience it and good to know things before it is a have to situation. HannahLore , Kit , and Elsie are an inspiration! If your husband has told you stuff, it seems to click or all meshes together for you. Also you get to drive an IH45 for about an hour and they drive ^.^d NICE!! Beverly and ALL of the Ladies Driving School staff are friendly and great ;D ! Also while you are there you may want to add to the Nac Economic Stimulus package like we did . David and Wayne did another outstanding job for us! As well as Joshua and all the service bay crew.
Yes!
Mary drove most of the way again today to Montgomery, AL. Great job.
I'm sending this message from the Jeep at the campground. She's taken the rig to get groceries, fuel, drug store stuff, hair doo, wash and who knows what else. Hope she doesn't do to a chrome shop.
Here is a link to a picture album of the graduation banquet at the 2013 Ladies Driving School. Hopefully I got all your names right. If not, please let me know and I will make corrections. Thank you Beverly for providing the picture of Don and myself along with Debborah and Phil!
Ladies Driving School (http://www.followcolumbus.com/photo-album/Ladies-Driving-School-2129)
Tys
Funny how many people I know in that class.
Tys,
How come none of the pictures show your face?
;-)
They do show my face, Tim...click on the thumbnails to expand them...
Tys
Tys, you look great piloting that IH-45 ;)
My bad, viewing on iphone, pics are great, thanks. WIll bring PJ to this event in the next few years
Thanks, Michelle! It was fun to drive it after the initial period of figuring out how to maneuver something that big...
Tys
Having been driving large vehicles only a short time, I could probably benefit greatly from a school like this. But I take it that it's not open to men. Correct?
Correct, women only for the driving class. Men get to do other things. But there are a number of driving courses around the country you could take together.