Profile For Big T

From the FMCSA:

The following are examples of uses of a CMV that would not qualify as personal conveyance and therefore be required to be recorded as driver time: 1. The movement of a CMV in order to enhance the operational readiness of a motor carrier. For example, bypassing available resting locations in order to get closer to the next loading or unloading point or other scheduled motor carrier destination.

The general rule of thumb is if you are doing anything work-related, you are not going to be able to use PC except for in very limited circumstances. I.e., you ran out of hours and need to get to the nearest safe parking location.

I recently received my CDL-A license and have a question for anyone who might know. Well I know ally docking and some other maneuvers are no longer part of the CDL test. I was reading that they should still be part of the ELDT behind the wheel curriculum. However the school I attended never had any sort of training on these. I was thinking of contacting the school to ask for some extra training if this is indeed something that should have been taught. If so can anyone point to a regulation that shows this. Or should I just expect this is something I will learn when I am in job training?

Any thoughts and suggestions would be very much appreciated.

This is one of those areas in the trucking industry where reality doesn't match legality unless someone gets their hand slapped. Yes, legally, schools are supposed to provide range training in six areas: vehicle inspection, straight-line backing, alley dock (either 45 or 90), sight side parallel, blind side parallel, and offset back. 49 CFR Part 380 lists all the ELDT requirements.

As Errol points out, a CDL school aims to teach you the skills necessary to get your license. Why would a school want to spend time teaching a skill that isn't required on the test? I was guilty of this thought process until one of our other schools got in trouble with the FMCSA for not teaching one of the parallels.

The state of Tennessee only tests for three backing skills. It tests the straight-line, offset-right, and 90-degree alley dock. Our program is only ten days on the range, so why would I waste valuable time on maneuvers that students do not need to pass their test?

I would not push for more training, though. You will get more valuable and realistic training once you are on the road than you will at any school. Remember, the school is there to get you your license, not make a driver out of you. That happens with your trainer and with time and experience.

Crap. Ok , back to square one. I'll contact swift Tomorrow and tell them I can't do it now. My application was already approved so that sucks. Hopefully swift will allow me to apply at a later date.

I am going to parrot OS regarding waiting to test.

Swift has softened a little bit if you come from a state where it is legal. If you fail the test AND WERE HONEST on the application regarding marijuana usage, they will usually allow drivers to get clean and reapply. However, it is not a guarantee. The key is that you have to have declared it on the application. If you were not honest on the application, it remains a lifetime ban from Swift.

One thing to remember is that when a potential driver fails any preemployment or DOT drug screen they have most likely also lied on at least two legal documents (DL application, and DOT physical) plus the application.

If you really want to get into the industry it is best to wait. I understand needing the job, but if you misjudge your ability to pass a drug test then you will have created an extremely difficult obstacle to get beyond.

You might look at the big dog there in your town. JBS has a plant there in Hyrum.

The language you speak doesn’t change the sound of metal crunching. Nor does it prevent you from looking in your mirrors.

Your problem has nothing to do with the economy. A 15 mph over is a major deal. That’s a reckless driving charge and a deal breaker for companies even in an excellent market. Let alone a market where drivers with clean records and experience are struggling to find a job.

How possibly they could take advantage of me? They offered to pay my CDL

You need to ask yourself why a company would go through the hassle of hiring a driver from overseas and getting them licensed when there are experienced drivers struggling to find work. There are also plenty of citizens that want to go through CDL school, especially if it’s being paid for by someone else.

One of the reasons there are a lot of companies around Chicago that do this is because Illinois is one of the states that doesn’t require you to have a regular license for a year prior to getting your CDL. You just have to have an Illinois license that will be valid during the year the permit is good for.

While it is technically possible to get an H2B visa to drive a truck in the US, I would be interested to see how they convinced the department of labor that there are no drivers available right now considering the about of trucking companies that have failed over the last year.

Hope everyone is doing well. I got a friendly reminder from a student today that maybe I should check in on here. I apologize for the absence but have been going a little crazy down here.

I started at the Swift Driving Academy March 2nd and have been going almost non-stop since. I have maintained a 100% pass rate so far and I enjoy the position. It was a bit challenging to change from a mentor over the road mind set to an instructor for the CDL mind set but it is coming together.

Besides the day to day instructing of students they have me training new instructors, moving equipment between schools, and I’m a go to when students are struggling. Provided Tennessee accepts my application I will be heading to class to become a state CDL examiner as well.

I went home for the first time a few weeks ago and will be heading home again as soon as we find out about the examiner’s class.

I am not going to lie though. I miss the road, but I think I am in the right place right now. I enjoy moving the trucks between schools on the weekend because I get to play trucker lol.

I remember. You and I met while you were working at the academy. I’ll be reaching out.

Hey, Big T, Welcome to Memphis! I taught at Swift Academy for about a year, up to 2018. Let's get together.

email to tt.errolv@spamgourmet.com. I'll get it. I'll get you pointers on teaching the skills. (And maybe you'll have some for me - I'm teaching CDL at a "private" school now!)

It has been almost four weeks since I cleaned out my truck and passed it on to my last student. I took two weeks off with the family and then packed up my car and drove from San Diego to Memphis to begin the next chapter in my career at Swift.

Yesterday I completed my training and Monday I will get my first class of students on the range. It has been interesting switching my brain from teaching otr skills to teaching the basics, but so far I’m doing alright and have had some success with the students I’ve been helping so far.

Now I just need to find an apartment and all will good.