Profile For SRJ

There facility in Bloomington IL looks to be incredibly nice and their fleet seems to be quite nice as well. They do like aerodynamics in their trucks and seem to have many gadgets on the trucks to improve fuel mileage.

I did speak with a recruiter early in 2020 and he was straightforward. Christian based company. It didn’t work out for me me as I was a resident of WI and in order to attend the community college they use, I would have had to transfer my residency.

I re-read my post and should have clarified what I said about using GOAL’s and Pull-Ups. I wasn’t referring to you, but just stating that in general. Sorry about that.

Yes I am aware that you upgraded, but felt my approach may be of some assistance to you.

Zach I can just share my limited experience with you and it is definitely limited and recent. I just obtained my CDL a week and a half ago. What I found to be beneficial was watching a few YouTube videos and then putting that particular technique into practice. I found the one that seemed to work the best for me and then I continued to practice that particular technique. If I went and tried something else, that is when I started to mess up. I would go back to what worked for me. In the 1 1/2 weeks of driving with my trainer and mentor, I have had some really tight spots to back into. Here is what I focus on. 1. Prior to backing, I look at what I have to work with and try to start with the best set-up. I run my plan through my head before I ever start the approach. 2. I back up slowly. 3. I get out and look. 4. If need be I do multiple pull-ups. (Once you have your CDL you can do as many pull-ups and GOALS as you wish).

I’ve really focused as well on forgetting about the, “OMG I’m holding some up. OMG someone is watching me and saying look at this rookie back up.” Who cares. They don’t know me and I don’t know them. Also, they were a rookie once as well. I’m ok with playing the rookie card for as long as I can. Anyway, hopefully this may be of assistance to you.

Good luck on your journey. Thanks for your service as well. I managed to last 14 years and L.E. and it was time to get out. Left in 2016. Just started my trucking career a couple weeks ago and really enjoy it. Not far from Roehl in fact. Looking forward to reading about your journey.

Old School posted this 1 day and 6 hours ago. Did you do what he suggested?

“ Zach, I think you've got to get this straightened out quickly. Communicate with your DM first. If that gets nowhere then step it up a little higher. Stand your ground but be calm and professional. You want to be a solo driver. Make that clear, and make it clear that it needs to start today.”

Day 7 - Well what a day it turned out to be. CDL in hand with no restrictions. Total nerve racking, but pushed through it while staying focused. Kept the positive can do attitude and I did it.

Pre-Trip nailed it. Even received a complement on my thoroughness and verbiage. 46 points out of 47 on the Pre-Trip. I’ll take it. Straight-Line and Off-Set left also nailed it. Now the 90 degree Alley Dock. Lets just say I passed it. It definitely wasn’t pretty. I’ll just leave it there. Road Test went real well. Shifting was my concern, but I was only marked once for a pretty bad shift. DON’T FORGET TO CHECK YOUR DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR AFTER COMPLETING A RIGHT TURN. As the certifier pointed out, everyone is so concerned about not clipping the trailer on the curb they forget to check their drivers side mirror.

Turned out to be a great day and I really feel I accomplished my initial goal of obtaining my CDL. Now let the real learning begin. Heading out 6a to drop and hook paper at the mill. My trainer will be with me and showing me the process as we go. My plan is to stay focused, stay safe and continue to learn. Thanks to all who provided me encouragement along the journey and I hope I was able to share a bit about J. Bauer Trucking. I am really happy I choose them to start my trucking career.

Day 6 - A short weekend at home, but a good one as I was able to see the family and dogs. Also, was able to watch my 10 year old play in his two basketball games prior to heading back up north.

Started the day out hooking up a trailer and hitting the road from about 8:30a to 1:30p. Got a stink eye from a lady as I didn’t get thru an intersection fast enough for her liking. Oh well she doesn’t know me and she will hopefully get over it. Shifting is getting better except for one particular area of the route that I had a monkey on my back. Couldn’t for the life of me correctly shift after coming out of the left hand or right turn onto a slight incline. Not a hill or steep grade, but a stinking slight incline. So embarrassing. Over and over I tried and would screw it up. Mental block for sure. It was only until I started in 4th gear, shifted to 5th prior to making my turn. Bingo. Finally success and kicked the monkey out of the truck. Lol.

Headed back to the yard and worked a couple hours on backing. Straight-Line and Off-Set Left no real issues. 90 degree Alley a few hiccups, but most of the time I can get it corrected with an extra pull-up, which only counts as 1 point. Prefer not to add a point, but if that is what it takes it’s not a huge deal.

I’m feeling real good about the Pre-Trip. Just have to remember my BBC, not bent broken or cracked and my ABC, no abrasions bulges or cuts. Also, just need to remind myself of the slack adjusters and push-rods. For some stupid reason I forget to mention these two items.

Overall a very productive day.

Awesome and congratulations. Great job.

Day 5 - Started out doing a full Pre-Trip for my trainer and he said I would have passed for the CDL test. Missed a few items, which he went over with me after I competed the exercise.

Next he had me do his route he uses for his tests he does. Well let’s just say things went down the tubes. Shifting was atrocious. Tried to make a shift on a pretty steep hill and had to put the 4 ways on and come to a stop while obstructing traffic. I’m sure the people behind were having some choice words for me. Stress level 9.5, which totally took my focus. It was so frustrating. I made it back to the yard without hitting anyone or anything, so I guess it could have been worse.

Back at the yard, I took a breather and cleared my head. Thought about all the mistakes I made and what I needed to do to correct them.

Next item on the agenda was to complete a trailer inspection, in-can and brake check. Did a good job on that with only one missed item, the trailer door ties. Man I wish I could paint those things bright orange.

Guess what I had to do next? Yep another mock road test. Nervous as can be, I took a deep breath and told myself I can do this. Focus Focus Focus. Almost a night and day run from the previous disaster. Confidence built up a bit. Made it back to the yard and my trainer took me to much for a pretty decent bacon cheeseburger at a downtown tavern.

Heading back to the yard and did a front of truck, in cab and brake check. Trainer was scoring my performance and stated I passed. You can probably guess what was next. Yep another mock road test. Knowing this was going to be my last driving for the week, I really wanted to nail it. A few grinds, but even better the second round. Trainer advised my performance would have been a pass. Great way to end the day and week.

It is crazy to think of what I have experienced in one week. From never sitting in a semi-tractor to driving one with a 53’ trailer attached while also using a 10-speed manual transmission. Overall the this week has been extremely productive and I look forward to getting back on Monday. I was able to head home for the weekend. I arrived safely home and the kids and 3 dogs were happy to see me and here about my week. Have a great weekend everyone and we will pick up next week.