Training today was awesome! I worked 8am - 4pm co-driving with another McKinley Lodge driver named Polly. For the morning session we went all over Fairbanks. Touring through downtown doing some high density driving, and then out to the University of Alaska - Fairbanks. We decided to head out the Steese Highway to visit the pipeline, and do some logbook training. When we stopped, our trainer helped Polly update her book as the driver (by flagging a new location). We were only going to be out of the coach for a few minutes to snap a couple pictures, and do a quick mid-trip inspection of our coach. After taking photos, we headed back to our vehicle, and noticed a white SUV waiting there in front of us. I turned to Joe (the trainer) and asked, "hey is that what a DOT car looks like." Joe then sighed nervously, sure enough we had the opportunity to have a run in with the DOT official. He approached us kindly and asked to see Id's, Medical Cards, Log books and vehicle information. We complied and waited nervously hoping we crossed our T's and dotted our I's. He came back with the report to find that nothing was wrong! Yayy! What a relief. We then decided it was time to take a short lunch break before heading back out on the road. The afternoon was less eventful. I got tired of being in the back seat the second half of the afternoon, but I'm becoming more and more confident in my driving abilities!
Joe checking Polly's log book before leaving the coach.
The Alaska pipeline and visitors center.
The milestone post
Looking down the pipeline. So fascinating! Also, notice how halfway down it looks dull in color? Well, that is due to the fact they shine the pipeline at the view point to look more attractive.
Me at the pipeline!
A retired Pig. A pig is a type of instrument that they run through the pipeline from one point, to another check point. The pig rotates around as it moves along the pipeline, cleaning up the edges of the pipe, ensuring that the flow is smooth and sufficient.
Example of a Pig in the pipe.
State of Alaska structure inside a pipe cut. This shows the Route of the pipeline. If I'm not mistaken, the Trans Alaska Pipeline runs from Alaska's North Slope to Valdez. It has a series of coolers/refrigerators placed in the ground to ensure that the pipeline does not heat up the ground, adversely effecting the permafrost below. The line is over 800 miles long, and passes through 3 Alaska mountain ranges. Over 15 billion barrels of oil has moved through the pipeline, thus repaying the initial 8 billion dollar debt (cost to build in 1977). It's so amazing to see in person. It is also rewarding as my Grandpa Tom Scouller worked on the pipeline in the 70's. I am so happy to be able to be in Alaska and see some of the sites.
We got back to the coach, and this is proof of the inspector running his report.
What a fun day of training! Hopefully I will be testing sometime early next week!
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