Profile For TruckaChiq

Well, I went to the C1 Trucking school on June 20th, and graduated July 14th, passing my CDL Class A skills exam, and I now officially hold a class A CDL License! I start orientation on the 25th. I will be working for PAM.

Is there anything I should be expecting during orientation and during training? Do I get to select if I want a non smoking trainer or if I get matched up with someone with similar interests in life? Just a few questions I've had for those pros out there for a newbie like myself.

I appreciate any recommendations or advice!

Thanks

CONGRATS🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇

You will get there... just hold on...

"Hold the vision. Trust the Process"

I almost gave up.....within a 3 day time I lost my apartment,car repossessed and almost my job of 15 1/2 yrs,went to the DMV to get my permitt and my mind went blank.I refuse to give up even if I have to move back to Arkansas

Just sad. It could have been avoided all together. From history.. he is obviously not fit to drive a truck.

Yay.. thanks. I have butterflies.. but ready for the next step

Congratulations.

For me not too hard.. I considered maybe 4 companies in total.... 3 of which wouldn't let me start right away. I had to wait one year with the company I work for now. The other companies were making me wait at least 3 due to a speeding ticket etc

Congrats!! I am new to this trucking thing. but I've heard horror stories... but if you can do it. I can too. 'hopefully" I think thats the only thing that worries me sometimes.. driving in Jersey and NY

wow....

so I started in Tenn. at the Memphis Terminal.. i have never in my life drove a manual truck or a truck at all.... the instructor i had ( will not disclose name ) was straight to the point. and told you what you needed to know once. Then you had to execute you to the best of your ability. if he saw that you were struggling hed help you once or twice and would even sit in the truck with you.. after that....... you are on your own. They dont repeat much at this location. Days were HOT.. Heat index up to 105... I was tired... always sweaty ... got black as hell... but ...

It was all worth it. Continue

Week 1

Straight Line Backing.... sounds easy.... Small bumps to the steering wheel or you can have your trailer jackknife lol. ( i witnessed this) I swear i didnt do this.... I am guilty of turning my steering wheel too hard for a "straight" line.... smh. silly me

Week 2 Backing Skills

I did the 90 Degree and the Right Offset .

Eventually I understood the concept for the Right offset. and could easily get it in. I struggled with the 90 degree backing for a while even during the evaluation and actual test.

During the 2nd week. Evaluation was on Wed. and final testing was on Friday. If you cannot pass in the second week you are placed on Academic probation . meaning you have to stay another week to learn your skills. Thank GOD! I passed. ( keep reading though)

Found out I had to travel across the country to complete my road training ... ugh... but i made the trip by car. nice road adventure

fast forward

Week 3 Road Test

Found myself in Minnesota for the last week of training. The instructors at this location... VERY HELPFUL AND ALWAYS POSITIVE. THEY REALLY GET YOU READY FOR THE ROAD TEST. I understood the concept of the 90 in week 3. " Add bend or remove bend " DUh!!!

but.... i FAILED MY ROAD TEST TWICE do to being CARELESS...

"Watch that Splitter" and "Remember what Gear you are in"!

A simple mistake WILL cause an AUTO FAIL

In the end it took my 3rd try and I PASSED.

wow....

so I started in Tenn. at the Memphis Terminal.. i have never in my life drove a manual truck or a truck at all.... the instructor i had ( will not disclose name ) was straight to the point. and told you what you needed to know once. Then you had to execute you to the best of your ability. if he saw that you were struggling hed help you once or twice and would even sit in the truck with you.. after that....... you are on your own. They dont repeat much at this location. Days were HOT.. Heat index up to 105... I was tired... always sweaty ... got black as hell... but ...

It was all worth it. Continue

Week 1

Straight Line Backing.... sounds easy.... Small bumps to the steering wheel or you can have your trailer jackknife lol. ( i witnessed this) I swear i didnt do this.... I am guilty of turning my steering wheel too hard for a "straight" line.... smh. silly me

Week 2 Backing Skills

I did the 90 Degree and the Right Offset .

Eventually I understood the concept for the Right offset. and could easily get it in. I struggled with the 90 degree backing for a while even during the evaluation and actual test.

During the 2nd week. Evaluation was on Wed. and final testing was on Friday. If you cannot pass in the second week you are placed on Academic probation . meaning you have to stay another week to learn your skills. Thank GOD! I passed. ( keep reading though)

Found out I had to travel across the country to complete my road training ... ugh... but i made the trip by car. nice road adventure

fast forward

Week 3 Road Test

Found myself in Minnesota for the last week of training. The instructors at this location... VERY HELPFUL AND ALWAYS POSITIVE. THEY REALLY GET YOU READY FOR THE ROAD TEST. I understood the concept of the 90 in week 3. " Add bend or remove bend " DUh!!!

but.... i FAILED MY ROAD TEST TWICE do to being CARELESS...

"Watch that Splitter" and "Remember what Gear you are in"!

A simple mistake WILL cause an AUTO FAIL

In the end it took my 3rd try and I PASSED.

Hahaha Great. Im glad I could add the excitement. With every company there are pros and cons. Just keep a postive mind state you know.

Great what part of TN? and PAM is a good company. Please keep me updated with your journey. I will do the same. I have butterflies in my head, my stomach. my legs lol... Im excited for you. Keep pushing through!!!

Christina hi, you are fine post away. Imy really happy and excited for you this is awesome. Don't be sorry, My post was feeling a Lil lonely and you've added some sun shine :-).

I'm new to , however I am going thru a trucking company I've read the pros and cons but it's how I'm going to be able to live my dream.

I am from Tennessee, breathe and just focus on the goal. I am starting first day in the morning with PAM. I'm excited and a few butterflies in my tummy lol :-)

Thanks!! for the studying material. I will definitely read it religiously. I do better independently. However having another female around would be great. I ready for it!!

Any insights. Any suggestions? Right now im studying how to do preTrip Inspections on youtube.

Check out the following resources for pretrip:

• Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide
• Daniel's Pre-Trip Inspection
• Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
• Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions

and make sure you complete as much of the High Road Training Program as you can.

Spend your time in school wisely. You only get a limited amount of it. Treat your time in school, orientation, and training as one long interview. Do not waste valuable time playing on your phone, smoking cigarettes, or chatting with other students.

what was rooming like? of course I want to be roomed with a female. What was training like briefly and on the road training?

I went to private school so stayed at home while attending, so I don't know what the situation is like at most company schools. Generally you'll be in a hotel, although some places (like my company's facility in Indy) have dorm-style rooms on campus. If it's anything like the orientations I've been to, you might well be the only woman there. If this happens you won't have a roommate and will get the whole room to yourself. This was the way it was at both of my orientations, I of course shared a room with my fiance but if I had been single I would have had my own room.

Training is an incredibly stressful, incredibly exciting period of time. No way to describe it other than that it's a trial by fire for most people. You will do fine as long as you remember to always look on the bright side, and that training only lasts for about a month.