Profile For Jimmy D

Go Eagles!!! I'm from the Deptford NJ mall area right across the walt whitman bridge. How ya doin?

Found this sit 10.years ago, been at the same company. Moved to Missouri and only miss the food. Have a pretzel for me please. Lol

Hey Kearsey! Go Birds!! It's funny there's a guy from Deptford NJ in my CDL class and one of the companies I was looking at as a possible place to start after, God willing, I pass this test, is in Springfield MO.

I'm doing ok. Still struggling a bit with the offset backing. I think I keep cutting in too far on the first "turn all the way to the left" cut and setting myself up for failure. Once I go back hard right and get straight where I can see my trailer wheels and the cone I'm not too bad finishing the job. The box lines aren't painted very well (worn from wear and weather) so it's hard to see when the back tires are on the line coming straight back in.

On the road I'm still a bit iffy making my turns. I've hit a curb turning right twice and I think I'm not going out straight into the intersection far enough. I have to remember to take it slow and keep my head in the mirror watching the trailer tires clear the curb.

Overall it's been a very challenging experience. I've always been more of a "book smart" guy - great in the classroom, multiple degrees, longtime teacher - so this very hands on experience has been a little nerve wracking. We're in our last week of practice and they're starting to set up my class for testing next week. I just hope I can get it down and correct my mistakes by then.

I love your posts and your photos. I can tell you've had a very rewarding career in this industry and I really want to succeed at this. Thanks for your kind words!

Hey everyone, Jim in Philadelphia here. I've decided to hang up the chalk and slide rule after a long career as a math teacher and took the plunge to fulfill a longtime dream of learning how to drive the big rigs. With the help of Uncle Sam's GI Bill (I'm an Army vet who served in Afghanistan in 2010-11), I can afford the course and I'm in it to pass it on the first try, God willing.

I've gone out on the road a few times in the city and on I-95 and feel pretty confident. My tight turns onto city streets are getting better (no curbs, no over the yellow line ruining a driver's day and more) and I'm pretty comfortable handling the vehicle.

Like a lot of newbies, I'm still shaky on those offsets in the yard (forward and reverse.) Getting that perfect straight parallel to the cone setup coming out is tough, and I know without that good setup from the get-go, the reverse isn't going to be so hot. I feel like the reverse offset has so many moving parts that I'm overthinking things and still trying to find that right balance of what to look for along the way back, not to mention how to make adjustments based on what I'm seeing.

Just trying to stay relaxed, go slow and steady, and be willing to stop along the way and think about what has to come next and how to make it happen. So to the fellow students out there, share your thoughts so I know I'm not alone. And to the veterans, share your thoughts and encouragement to help stay zen about this and remind me that you were once in my shoes.

Thanks, guys. Glad to be here.

Welcome to the forum Jim! Sounds like you're having a good start to the industry. Training can be tough, mentally and physically. Just remind yourself it's such a miniscule amount of time in what's hopefully a long as you want it to be career, and whatever you go through in this phase is worth it for the prize: keys to your truck once you go solo. Doesn't matter how long anyone's been at it, we all have days we still feel like a rookie!

Hey Sandman, thanks a lot for your nice reply. I make sure I go home every day and not frazzle my brain re-thinking my mistakes. We have patient instructors and a good group of guys in the class that are getting along well. The mindset piece of this is so crucial to learning well. It's nerve wracking enough as it is. I'm determined to conquer this and pass on the first try.

I read your profile - looks like you're a "roadie?" Who's the best act you've worked for? My brother-in-law was a union stagehand and had stories about everyone from Pink Floyd, to Prince, to David Bowie (who he said was hands down THE kindest, friendliest, classiest cat he ever worked with in the biz.)

Thanks, again. JD

Hey everyone, Jim in Philadelphia here. I've decided to hang up the chalk and slide rule after a long career as a math teacher and took the plunge to fulfill a longtime dream of learning how to drive the big rigs. With the help of Uncle Sam's GI Bill (I'm an Army vet who served in Afghanistan in 2010-11), I can afford the course and I'm in it to pass it on the first try, God willing.

I've gone out on the road a few times in the city and on I-95 and feel pretty confident. My tight turns onto city streets are getting better (no curbs, no over the yellow line ruining a driver's day and more) and I'm pretty comfortable handling the vehicle.

Like a lot of newbies, I'm still shaky on those offsets in the yard (forward and reverse.) Getting that perfect straight parallel to the cone setup coming out is tough, and I know without that good setup from the get-go, the reverse isn't going to be so hot. I feel like the reverse offset has so many moving parts that I'm overthinking things and still trying to find that right balance of what to look for along the way back, not to mention how to make adjustments based on what I'm seeing.

Just trying to stay relaxed, go slow and steady, and be willing to stop along the way and think about what has to come next and how to make it happen. So to the fellow students out there, share your thoughts so I know I'm not alone. And to the veterans, share your thoughts and encouragement to help stay zen about this and remind me that you were once in my shoes.

Thanks, guys. Glad to be here.