Profile For Petro Hauler

I did it. On April 24th 2015 I reached my goal of one year safe OTR driving. It opened doors for me. I applied for two local driving jobs and received offer letters from both companies. I did some research on both and chose the one I felt to be the best fit for me. I want to thank Trucking Truth for the tools provided to assist me in obtaining this goal. I haven't participated in the Forum that much but I have read many threads and made note of all the advice from the experienced drivers that so unselfishly help out the rookies on this site. Thanks again TT.

I'm 51 years old and I just got sent home from CT Transport orientation in Savannah Ga. I passed the work first assessment and the physical. Then the company "rent a nurse" measured my neck and because it was larger than 17" decided on his own that I have sleep apnea. I have no problem sleeping, many mornings I wake up in the same position that I fell asleep in. Trust me, if I snored my wife would make me aware of it. There were two of us sent home that day, the other man was also over 50. He was actually sent home two weeks before because his heart rate was too high during the work first assessment. He was told to get a letter from his Dr. and return to orientation in two weeks, which he did. This time during the assessment his heart rate wasn't an issue but the girl sent him home because she didn't like the way he demonstrated climbing onto the trailer. She said he did not do it in a safe manner. There were 12 people in the class and two were over 50 and two were sent home, makes me wonder. I'm not really bitter, I think it was probably a blessing in disguise, after visiting what would have been my home terminal in Mocksville NC and then seeing the main terminal in Savannah, their both dumps. They look more like junk yards than trucking terminals. I am curious to know if any other over 50 recruits have experienced anything like this.

I finished school on April 2nd and went to work for Watkins & Shepard Trucking, driving out of the Conover NC Terminal. I completed the two week orientation and went on the road with a coach for one week. Then I was handed the keys to a truck and given my first load assignment. I do have previous driving experience so the driving and maneuvering around in the truck isn't that big of an issue for me. My problem with the company is the communication, or lack of. I have tried on several occasions to reach my dispatcher in Conover and even tried to reach dispatchers in Missoula Mt. no one will answer the phone or respond to voicemails or emails. They communicate with me over Peoplenet, but will not respond to me when I reach out to them with questions. I can't believe this is normal in the trucking industry. I've read too many responses from experienced drivers on here telling new drivers to stay in touch with your dispatcher, make them your best friend, how do we do this when they won't even respond to a question about a load assignment?? I have been offered a job with a new company but I thought I'd get some advice here first. Thanks

Hi TW, I start orientation with Watkins Shepard in Conover N.C. on April 14th. They have a 10 day training program that I hear is very intense. If you successfully complete the training they issue you a truck. I'll have more information when I get started.

The trick to all backing is to have a G,O,A,L. Get Out And Look...

I did it, I finished my training yesterday, tested out, scored 100% on my pre-trip and my skills test. Only deducted 3 points off of my driving exam. Instructor said I didn't look both ways at a RR crossing. I'm sure I did but it doesn't matter, I passed. Headed to DMV tomorrow to get my CDL. Then it's off to orientation at Watkins & Shepard Trucking on April 14th. A fellow school mate just finished his first week of orientation there and said it was very intense training, I'm looking forward to it. Now, back to studying with High Road Training Program

gotta play nice for the exam, though, right?

Exactly. Best I can figure they want people to know how to double clutch whether they're going to use it often or not.

Exactly, floating gears is Taboo in school. Once you're out in the real world you can do what you need to do....

I'm almost certain the last time I double-clutched was in like '93 when I road tested. One of the instructors at our trucking school showed us how to float gears and my first trainer was fine with it so that was the end of double-clutching right off the bat. I'm sure it would be awkward as h*ll to try doing that all the time, especially down-shifting. More than anything I would just feel kinda dumb and annoyed by it because you know it's totally unnecessary. Like, why do all that extra work for absolutely nothing?

It is the most awkward thing I've tried to do in a long time. I'm required to have 20 hours of driving in school, hope it comes back to me soon...

Yeah, you're not going to have any problem getting it back again. No big deal at all. Starcar is right - it's just a matter of picking up the timing again. It's the concepts of double-clutching and progressive gearing that are tough to get. The timing comes easy once you understand how it's done - which you obviously do. So it isn't going to take long.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I guess I have myself partly to blame for my lack of proper clutching techniques. I went to work for a man right out of school way back in the 80's driving a long nose Pete with a 13 speed pulling dump wagons. I forget what that particular style of truck was called back then, California something. He bought two of them, the wheel base on them was too long to pull anything in N.C. except little short dump wagons. Long story short, when I started driving for him he road tested me, I was so proud of myself, double clutching like a real pro. I'll never forget him looking at me and saying, get your d@&* foot off that clutch, you're gonna wear my truck out. I guess from that day on, I never touched the clutch peddle again except for stopping and starting.... Old habits are hard to break...

I've been told that once you learn to drive a big truck you never forget. Well, I beg to differ. I haven't been in a truck since 1991, until yesterday at school. I knew I'd be rusty changing gears and double clutching, I had no idea I'd be completely corroded. I felt so bad sitting there grinding gears and looking like a total amateur. It was so embarrassing. I have been going over everything in my head today that I know I did wrong, over revving the engine, not watching my tachometer and not shifting at the proper RPM's.. I'm waiting for next Saturday to come so I can redeem myself...Wish me luck......LOL