Profile For JT

Day 16: Today was the last day. I am now a CDL-A license holder. I don't consider this the end of a journey but the turning of the page to the next chapter. That is life as a trucker. I report July 3rd for orientation in Dallas, TX. with Schneider. That's where the true journey begins. I am looking forward to the experience I will gain and will do all I can to soak in as much information and insight from others that I can get. I am both excited and nervous for this adventure. I hope I have a good trainer and that all goes well so I can be out on the road learning and doing the job as a CMV operator to the best of my ability. I want to thank Trucking Truth for the valuable learning tools that I feel gave me a leg up entering school. This site has been a God send for me. Now it's on to the next chapter!

Thanks Splitter.

Day 16: Today was the last day. I am now a CDL-A license holder. I don't consider this the end of a journey but the turning of the page to the next chapter. That is life as a trucker. I report July 3rd for orientation in Dallas, TX. with Schneider. That's where the true journey begins. I am looking forward to the experience I will gain and will do all I can to soak in as much information and insight from others that I can get. I am both excited and nervous for this adventure. I hope I have a good trainer and that all goes well so I can be out on the road learning and doing the job as a CMV operator to the best of my ability. I want to thank Trucking Truth for the valuable learning tools that I feel gave me a leg up entering school. This site has been a God send for me. Now it's on to the next chapter!

Thanks Old School.

Day 14: Not much to report today. They finished up the testing today. It was a large class. I'm pretty sure everyone passed. On Thursday I go to the DMV to get my official CDL. I worked on mapping and doing paper logs today then we had exams on Combination Vehicles, Air Brakes, and General Knowledge. Probably not much happening tomorrow either. If I can I'll see if they'll let me practice some backing as long as they aren't doing any third party testing. The school has three certified testers so a lot of companies come here to test for their CDL's. I would like to be able to practice backing without an instructor yelling cut the wheel all the way left, no your other left!!! Now right, right, right. Get back under the trailer. Stop, pull up and straighten out!...lol...

Honestly, real world backing is much more different than what you learn in the pad. It’s a foundation but most my real world lessons come from watching others & trial/error with lots of GOAL’ing.

On mapping, pay close attention to the sections of the atlas that list restrictions on certain roads. It’s listed state by state in the red tab section. I almost sent someone down an interstate with two low clearance bridges thinking all interstates could handle 13’ 6” trailers.

Thanks for the advice Splitter. I'll be purchasing a trucker's atlas in the next few days to get accustomed to reading it correctly. As for backing, I know that will be a continuous work in progress with lots of practice and observing others.

Thanks Old School.

Day 14: Not much to report today. They finished up the testing today. It was a large class. I'm pretty sure everyone passed. On Thursday I go to the DMV to get my official CDL. I worked on mapping and doing paper logs today then we had exams on Combination Vehicles, Air Brakes, and General Knowledge. Probably not much happening tomorrow either. If I can I'll see if they'll let me practice some backing as long as they aren't doing any third party testing. The school has three certified testers so a lot of companies come here to test for their CDL's. I would like to be able to practice backing without an instructor yelling cut the wheel all the way left, no your other left!!! Now right, right, right. Get back under the trailer. Stop, pull up and straighten out!...lol...

Thanks everyone. It wasn't pretty but I passed. That's all that matters. After the test we started working on logs and trip planning and getting an understanding of the HOS. All I can say is thank goodness for elogs...lol...All in all it wasn't too bad. It would just take some work getting a routine down doing it by paper. But we have to know how to break out the pen and paper should the elog go down. It is, after all, just a computer and computers never crash right? Yeah riiiiiight. Have a good night everyone.

Day 13: Today was test day. I PAAAAAASSSSSSED!!!!!!!!

Day 12: Today we did our "mock" pre trip inspections so the instructors could gauge where we're at in preparation for next week. Starting Monday we begin testing. Pre trip, backing, and road test. I passed my pre trip so I shouldn't have any problem with that next week. I'm confident everything will go well. I just need to take my time and not get in a rush. We're off now till Monday. I hope I'm one of the first ones so I can hopefully get it over with and pass everything.

Thanks Splitter. Tomorrow's the day. Hopefully I'll get it done tomorrow and won't have to wait till Tuesday. I'm ready to get this finished.

As everyone else has stated don't stress it. I grew up driving manuals so when I get in one my left foot moves without me even realizing it. I just finished week three of my training and I can't tell you how many times I got so miscombobulated stopping or turning that my left foot never left the floorboard and the truck came to a halt. It happens. You're not the first to do it and won't be the last. No biggie.

Great progress Squirrelly. Sounds like you've got this. My fourteenth day is Monday so I will be testing Monday or Tuesday. Good luck to you.

Day 12: Today we did our "mock" pre trip inspections so the instructors could gauge where we're at in preparation for next week. Starting Monday we begin testing. Pre trip, backing, and road test. I passed my pre trip so I shouldn't have any problem with that next week. I'm confident everything will go well. I just need to take my time and not get in a rush. We're off now till Monday. I hope I'm one of the first ones so I can hopefully get it over with and pass everything.