Have Greyhound, Will Travel

So, if one does not want to spend close to $1,000 for airfare, the next best travel alternative is Greyhound Lines (trans-USA bus company). For this particular trip, I prefer Greyhound's $136.00 fare for the trip from Greensboro NC to Jonesboro AR. The return fare in only $81.00 if booked 7 days prior to departure date.

Compared to air travel, some of the VERY desirable aspects to travel by bus are: 1) I will NOT be a potential candidate for a randomly selected 'strip search' by bus station security personnel; 2) I can board the bus WITHOUT taking off my shoes for x-ray examination; 3) I can observe the handling and storage of my luggage; 4) I will be able to actually see recognizable land features - not a high-altitude abstract collage; 5) I will only be a few feet off the ground, within easy step-off or jump-off distance (good to know for both normal and emergency action); 6) my ears will probably not have to adjust to changes in altitude; 7) the baggage claim area is 'at the bus'; 8) there will probably be fewer people waiting to use the onboard toilet.

In 4 hours (at 1300), I will board a Greyhound bus in Greensboro NC for the 'one day and forty-five minute' trip to Newport AR - arriving at 12:45. The trip (1,158 miles) will include stops at a dozen or so stations along the way, and three transfers to a different bus. I anticipate taking several brief naps during the trip - not really a sound sleep; hopefully, refreshing respites of rest for body and mind (especially the eyes).

My next blog will probably be after September 30th, after my return to Graham NC and completion of my three weeks of ASU (Arkansas State University) training in Newport. After my return, I will go to the local NC Drivers License Bureau, take the North Carolina 'Hazardous Materials Endorsement' test, and have the 90-day Arkansas CDL class A driver's license (issued at the end of ASU training) transferred to a North Carolina CDL class A license. Once that is complete, I will call USA Trucking to schedule my pick-up by one of their driver-trainers, to begin an additional 4 to 8 weeks of one-on-one driver training in company truck with company instructor.

Photos and text in my next blog post.

Please say a prayer for me - that all goes well with training, tests, everything!

Take care,

Jim