Profile For Nate W

I'm trying not to think about it too much but it's hard not to think about the unknown. I've been trying to get my cdl for almost 2 years so I'm worried about something not working out again. I'm not giving up on this dream so I'm trying to know everything I can ahead of time to make sure I'm fully prepared.

thank you for your words of wisdom. I feel much better knowing a little more. I'm going to give it my absolute best and prove my worth to them. This isn't going to be just a job for me. I've been wanting to do this ever since I was a kid and I want to provide for my family and doing something that I love is the perfect way to do so. Like that saying, do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.

Nate, I'm fairly certain you'll be fine. Honestly, lifting the tarp is probably the hardest part. They are going to show you exactly how they want you to lift it, and it is basically the best way to do it. As long as you follow their directions you'll do fine. The first time lifting a tarp is an eye opening event for most people, but once you get the lifting techniques down it's not so bad.

They're going to have you do several things like stand on one foot for a certain amount of time so they can see how well your sense of balance is. They will have you climb a ladder that is leaned against the wall to see how well you handle heights and climbing. Basically they are looking for any clues that might indicate you will have problems executing the daily functions of a flat bed driver.

I think your concerns about climbing on the trailer are going to prove unwarranted. Again, they will demonstrate the technique they want to see you use which is basically the easiest and safest way to get yourself up onto a flatbed trailer from the side. At 5' - 7" you are plenty tall enough to do it. I've been to two TMC orientations and I witnessed a few vertically challenged overweight fellows who had trouble getting up on the trailer, but even though they sort of looked like a Walrus flopping himself up onto the beach, they still managed to get it done and land a job.

The main thing is that you pay attention, obey any signs on the campus, always be early for anything, and be respectful of the personnel and instructors. Remember they consider this whole time of orientation and training as one very extended interview. They are way more interested in your character than they are your physical prowess. If you are the type person they are interested in then they will help you understand what they need to see in the physical and agility tests.

As you say, there are surely plenty of people your height that do it. I'm sure they will show you how. I wouldn't sweat it

thank you for your words of wisdom. I feel much better knowing a little more. I'm going to give it my absolute best and prove my worth to them. This isn't going to be just a job for me. I've been wanting to do this ever since I was a kid and I want to provide for my family and doing something that I love is the perfect way to do so. Like that saying, do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.

Nate, I'm fairly certain you'll be fine. Honestly, lifting the tarp is probably the hardest part. They are going to show you exactly how they want you to lift it, and it is basically the best way to do it. As long as you follow their directions you'll do fine. The first time lifting a tarp is an eye opening event for most people, but once you get the lifting techniques down it's not so bad.

They're going to have you do several things like stand on one foot for a certain amount of time so they can see how well your sense of balance is. They will have you climb a ladder that is leaned against the wall to see how well you handle heights and climbing. Basically they are looking for any clues that might indicate you will have problems executing the daily functions of a flat bed driver.

I think your concerns about climbing on the trailer are going to prove unwarranted. Again, they will demonstrate the technique they want to see you use which is basically the easiest and safest way to get yourself up onto a flatbed trailer from the side. At 5' - 7" you are plenty tall enough to do it. I've been to two TMC orientations and I witnessed a few vertically challenged overweight fellows who had trouble getting up on the trailer, but even though they sort of looked like a Walrus flopping himself up onto the beach, they still managed to get it done and land a job.

The main thing is that you pay attention, obey any signs on the campus, always be early for anything, and be respectful of the personnel and instructors. Remember they consider this whole time of orientation and training as one very extended interview. They are way more interested in your character than they are your physical prowess. If you are the type person they are interested in then they will help you understand what they need to see in the physical and agility tests.

my thoughts exactly but for the physical test at tmc, they want you to climb up from the side of the trailer. After that, I'm going to use the safest and easiest way

I don't know anything about TMC except they have pretty trucks lol but as for climbing up on to or into any trailer, just climb up the ICC bumper.

I will be starting at tmc on November 5 for their cdl program and had a question about the physical portion and how easy it is. I'm 5'7 and I like to think I have average strength for someone who doesn't work out regularly or much. I'm not to concerned about lifting the tarps although the 120 pound one might make me struggle a little but I'm fairly confident that I can lift it without much trouble. I'm more worried about lifting myself into the trailer from the side since I'm not too much taller than the trailer. The other portions of the test I'm not worried about. Anyone have any insight on how easy the physical test is or any advice on it? I'm sure there are people shorter than me that have passed. I'm just a little nervous about it. I want to succeed and not get sent home because of one thing.

You know, I thought we were past the honeymoon phase after 5 years, but I guess we still love each other more than I thought lol. I was thinking this wasn't going to be too hard to pack my stuff and go last week when we would talk about it. I was wrong. These last few days were emotional and today is not going to be easy but I gotta do it. I gotta try following my dream. I don't know if otr will be for me but I'm going to fulfill my contract with Roehl and see what happens. I might find something in my area that gets me home every night. With a cdl, my options are endless around my town. There are a lot of jobs that want someone with a cdl.

Thank you all for the words of encouragement and advice. I know its going to be tough but we will make it. We've been through a lot of ups and downs since we've been together and this will be another trying time. I'm definitely gonna talk to her every day. Once I get there and get started, I'm sure I will be fine and I hope she can find things to keep her mind busy as well. I look forward to the day I come home and show her that I made it and got my cdl....and of course lots of hugs and kisses!

I start with Roehl transport on Monday to get my cdl. I leave on Sunday to drive there. Problem is that my wife and I are really not looking forward to that day. Its going to be very emotional for the both of us since we've never been apart for that long in the 5 years that we've been married. Any advice/tips on how to cope with this?

everything you've said matches up with what I've read and been told so its good to know things are consistent and I shouldn't be surprised with something

Thank you, I'm glad that my posts are able to help.

Just to give you a heads up, the Appleton terminal's schedule and backing maneuvers will be a bit different.

Here in Grand Prairie, we go from 7am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday and are off Saturday and Sunday. I've been told that the schedule at other terminals is 7am to 5pm Monday through Friday, go for half a day on Saturday, and are off the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday.

As for training, you most likely won't be doing parallel parking. Texas is one of the few states that require it. Our instructor that came down from Marshfield for the week hasn't taught it in a while. I think states that do not do parallel parking to 45 and 90 degree backs instead.

I think that Appleton's class sizes are also a bit larger, but I believe that they still maintain the 3 to 1 ratio of students per instructor.

loving the daily posts. Its really calming my nerves to know what's in store for me when I start this coming Monday. Keep em coming and I will try to start my own diary as well.

Week 2 Day 3 complete.

At this point, our days are pretty much repetition of previous days. My driving and backing is getting better every day.

they got me in the national refrigerated. It's what I wanted to get into. I think eventually I would like to get into flatbed once I get more experience

I hope I feel the same when my turn comes. I know i will feel so relieved when I finally leave my current job. What division are you going in?

At the moment, my nerves are fine. I'm more excited and relieved that today has finally come.

I'm going into National Dry Van.

If you guys remember anything when getting started at this, remember what Brett advised you...

My advice is to expect a lot of ups and downs the next few months because that's trucking, especially early in your career.

That succinct statement is stellar. There are such high running emotions and devastating set-backs for any and all of us when starting this career. It seems like it should be so simple - just drive the dang truck! What we don't know when we are getting started at this is usually the thing that cripples us the most. It is a constant roller coaster of up and down emotions, accomplishments and defeats, of peace and serenity on the highway, which is followed by shear terror! I think being prepared to expect the emotional highs and lows is some of the best advice you can take with you as you begin your journey. Best of luck to you guys, and if you want to see this thing through and thrive at this career, my suggestion is to stay plugged in here. Don't just think you've got this and you don't need the support of others. If you hang around here, you will learn a lot of great things that will help you survive that first year, which is something that only about five percent of the people who try this manage to do.

We love helping new drivers, it is what we do best. Get in, buckle up, and hold on... it's going to be a wild ride!

Best of luck to you guys!

Thank you. Totally understand as much as a newbie like me can. I've probably done thousands of hours of research over the years to get myself as prepared as possible.