Trucking School Process (Will Update Daily/weekly)

Yesterday I also got a reply from my Facebook post about trucking companies. LME is suggesting I talk to their local Terminal Manager near me and start working in the warehouse dept for a year and then move up to driving.

By the way, I received a copy of the Hirerite report from Schneider and there was nothing on it yet they still turned me away.

So another day is done at the school. Friday last and today was backing range and 10 speed shifting simulator training. With the backing range (for those of us who have never even backed a trailer) I started out with a little Ranger pickup and tiny box trailer. {practically same size as u haul has as their smallest one} Straight-line backing went decently on friday with all the rough learnings of keeping a trailer straight. But today I decided a whole hour of straight line backing was not going to cut it; especially when my time in the tiny truck ends on the 30th at the start of my 5th week. Anyway, I'm all over the place on this post so please bear with me.

I managed a 90 degree back w/o a pull up (but boy was i sawing at that wheel) and then just pulled away to try my luck at offset backing. Mind you this is all on the same area. The offset backing had me a little worried but once I practiced it a few times I was getting better.

I went back to that 90 degree and fumbled. Almost jackknifed it but had sense in me to just stop and retry. Success on the next try. Feeling good I tried it again...fumble (hit cones - not literally but tires touched). One more time I tell myself then I'm switching maneuvers; and I get it perfectly in the spot with acceptable clearance in the back.

I did one straightline backing and I was pleased, so I followed up with an offset maneuver and here came the "D'oh's". Since i'm alone in the truck, I'm in charge (most likely not allowed during the road test or instructor time) I turned on the radio to clear my mind {nothing loud, just something to break the silence [silence being that other than freeway noise]} and finished the 30 min left on my time allotted. I was doing great. More 90 degrees and a couple of straight line to break up the monotony. Kept a decent groove and once or twice I had to pull away to the start position half way thru the maneuver to just start over.

Now my hour was up and its off to the Simulator lab for shifting practice. The simulator is as close as it can get to the real thing w/o doing a ton of expensive Transmission and Clutch work on a rig. The great thing about it is that it tells you if the clutch wasn't pushed in far enough, to far (clutch brake) or not at all, your revs were either too low or high causing grinding, etc. You are looking at a big 3 screen system and advice from the instructor on duty is to not look at your dash, just the big screen in front of you until you get better. This is mainly to teach you motor skills.

But today I was shifting alright but downshifting was not so great. Darn 5th gear would always hang up on me causing me to lose my rhythm. Tomorrow will be better and this is a 3 day week. As I get better I will inform ya'll otherwise this week is just backing the small pickup and shifting {that don't end for a while}.

Until then please stay safe and try to be curious to those knuckleheads who drive like hell. Just incase i forget; Happy Thanksgiving (early) to everyone and Thank you to all the Veterans and Service Men/Women who protect this country.

Alright, it has been some time since my last post and a lot has gone on with my learning. My 10 Speed Simulator shifting it progressing but staying steady with a low of 65% and a high of 92%. I asked a few of my instructors about that and they assured me I was right in line with the progress and at least keeping it steady. The only thing they added was "Shift like a Grandpa! TAKE YOUR TIME!!" By-gollie it worked! I would have gotten time on the Sim today but it was down for maintenance (and I was thankful for that) and maybe tomorrow as well but they can take all the time they need; as the simulator is a valuable tool/aide for newcomers to learn on.

Today was also my first ever time in a big rig seat by myself ...EVER!!! It felt so great that I was just, "gibb-er-ing/gabb-er-ing/gobb-er-ing" {yes it was words like that which come out of my mind and mouth at times} words out of my mouth as I could not contain my enthusiasm (at 6am central time vs my best friend at a sleepy 4am pacific time) as I put the truck in gear and released my air brakes and backed up my trailer in a straight-line - attempt. I couldn't get use to the brakes fast enough and keep the trailer in correct perspective of my vision. So I just stopped and re-positioned; and just creeped backwards for 20 or so feet then back forward - all while adjusting the amount of pressure I was applying to the brake pedal and my foot/boot position. After five to ten minutes of doing just that with the brakes, I stopped all the jerking/whip-lashing/chug-a-lugging I was inducing not to long ago. Plus I could now keep the trailer under reasonable control and focus my efforts on straight-line and offset maneuvers.

Once my time ended on the range I decided to sit in on a classroom session involving AIR BRAKE/PRE TRIP Inspection. I was glad I did simply because we had a state examiner visit with us and actually stay the entire time until we all had satisfactory knowledge so we could move forward with recalling the info in proper terms and relative order. I will be attending this Saturday's pre trip class to make sure I get better and not mix up everything like a blender.

That's awesome! Keep up the good work!

Just a friendly and warm Happy New Years shout out to every one.

By the way the week of January 5th is an action packed week for my schooling experience. 1/8/16 is the day I take my Road test!