Four boys grew up together here in North Pole. After graduation, one went to work as an equipment operator at a local mining operation. Two joined the Army, where one drives an Abrams Tank. The fourth (my son) went to college. These four did everything together. I taught all four to drive using my old Volkswagen Beetle, out on the pipeline right of way, behind my house. I also taught them to drive my track vehicle, tow trailers, and to operate a Backhoe. I grounded all four more than their own parents did. They virtually lived at our house, year round.
Now four years later, one of the Army guys got injured in Afghanistan, and is in the Hospital in Seattle Washington. The other one is stationed in Kansas, and is home on leave. They decided to go to Washington to see their friend. Also do some shopping for things they can not get here in Fairbanks. They also wanted to climb Mt. Rainer. They are 23 and 22 years old.
The one working at the mine, is an Equipment Operator. He has a Class A CDL, with passenger, and duel trailer endorsements on his license. When he is not operating a Boring Machine, or Front End Loader, He drives a Semi hauling double down through the Alaska Range to tidewater. There he picks up a load of supplies for the mine and returns. The one in the Army, drives an Abrams Tank, the Army requires him to have a CDL. My son works during the summers operating a Fork Lift, unloading trailers at Lowes. He also picks up jobs with transport companies moving trailers around town. He too has a Class A CDL.
Upon arriving at Seattle they went to the Car Rental desk to rent a car for the week. Sky had reserved a Chevy Impala. When he showed his drivers license, the agent refused to let him sign the contract, he was under 24. So they moved to the next rental desk. Again they were told no, you are under 24. The third desk told them the same thing, we don't rent to anyone under 24 years old. This unexpected development frosted their jaws. They took a Taxi intending to go to the hotel to check in. On the way, they passed a U-Haul rental shop.
On a whim they had the Taxi stop. All three walked in, one laid his CDL on the counter, along with his credit card. They walked out with the keys to a Toyota Tundra crew-cab pick-up. Life was good again. They figured they paid a little more than they would have with the car, but they were more comfortable with the truck. Especially when the one in the Hospital was given a pass for the weekend. He was able to fit in the truck better than he would have in a car. His leg was in a cast, and a body brace to support his injured back.
Now I can't get them to shut up about Mt Rainer. Hope they don't think about McKinley.
