Courtney Davis
News Photographer
(And now Sat Truck Operator!)

After reading Richard’s last post about Satellite Truck Parking … I have to admit it’s got me shakin’ in my little girly shoes. Do I have the stuff to drive w/ the big dogs?

Let me clarify … I’m learning to drive and operate our 2 sat trucks. So far the training has been going well. I’ve got the best Satellite Technician teaching me the ropes, Tony Gupton (aka Guppie). His knowledge of these operations cannot be matched and I’m lucky to be learning from the best.

The issue I’m having right now? The fear of arriving to a scene and parking. You never know what you are going to get. I’m having visions of Austin Powers trying to turn his ‘gator’ around in the narrow hallway … you know the scene don’t you? For those of you who don’t already know about the clearance on larger vehicles, bridges, power lines, trees & one way streets are a few of the obvious things I’ll have to contend with. Eeek.

(This is what a satellite looks like to a Sat Truck Operator)

So far the training has been really interesting. I did get a big kick out of driving LiveStar 6 out to Sharpsburg and up to Roanoke Rapids. Hopefully Brian Pittman, our other super-dooper Sat Op involved in my training, wasn’t too concerned for his own life.
(The Green Swiggly)
And the actual satellites are becoming a little more clear to me. I am starting to understand how the same green swiggly line can look like different satellites. I’ve called up and jumped on the bird a couple of times w/out incident. I just have to get comfortable w/ the rest of the operations in the truck before they will release me on my own. Look out world!