Bridgerland Applied Technology College (BATC.edu) - Logan, UT

I successfully relocated from San Diego to UT and quickly found a home to purchase. Decided to hold off on selecting a CDL skewl until I knew where I would be living. I have decided to attend BATC for several reasons: 1. VA/GI Bill approved, 2. Small Class size, 3. 300 hrs, 4. 10 weeks (give me time to adjust and get my home situated).

Begin training on the 18th April and will use this thread to keep anyone who is interested on my progress and my experiences.

~scott

BATC.edu

Since the course is 10 weeks in duration, I've decided to do a weekly summary unless something extraordinary happens.

Week #1 Even before introductions the head yard-instructor had us go out to the trucks with student that is in the class ahead and perform pre-trip inspection. Though I've read and watched a lot of things on pre-trip, actually seeing, identifying and touching the equipment is what makes it "stick" for me.

After we completed the pre-trip, introductions were done along with given a copy of the course syllabus. There are 5 students, three of us are "ahead" while two have fallen behind. Though the DOT physical and permit fees are part of the tuition, recommend you have these done prior to start of course. The student has 3 weeks to earn his/her UT permit, if you have an out of state permit the department head will verify they are authorized to perform road test, if not you will have to perform the road test in your home state.

During the six-hour day, you spend most of your time studying the class text and/or UT CDL handbook. The school has a simulator, starting in week 2 we will be using the sim to learn proper shifting, braking and clutching techniques.

Course Syllabus Week 1 - Intro, DOT Physical & Drug Screen, State of UT CDL Learners Permit, Control Systems, Vehicle Systems,Transportation Technology

Week2 - Vehicle Inspections, Basic Control, Shifting, Backing, Coupling & Uncoupling, Sliding Fifth Wheel & Tandems , Preventive Maintenance, Recognizing and Reporting Malfunctions, Communication

Week 3 - Visual Search, Space Management, Speed Management, Night Driving, Extreme Driving Conditions, Skid Control, Railroad Crossings, Emergency Maneuvers, Accident Procedures, Handling Cargo, Special Rigs, Cargo Documentation

Week 4 - Hours of Service, Trip Planning, Transportation Security, Driving International Routes

Week 5 - HAZMAT , Public Relations & Job Search, Drive Health/Safety/Security, Whistle Blower Protection, CSA

Weeks 5-10 - skills, driving, testing, etc

Week #2

We performed pre-trips every morning on the 3 rigs the skewl has. The first week of learning pre-trip seemed like my head was going to explode, but this week words were coming on my mouth and was identifying things that thought I would never be able too.

Took our first class textbook test and passed with flying colors. I intend on taking my permit tests on Tuesday. May be loosing one student as he is having "rotatorcuff" issues and is in some pain, so if that happens that will get is down to 4.

Yesterday I got on the Simulator and did a total of 2 1/2 hrs of "driving" on it. It took me some time to get the Clutch-Neutral-Clutch-Gear operation down, once I did I purposely took "exits" and "hills" just to get the shifting down. The head instructor said that when they had the SIM put in they had it calibrated similar to their "testing rig." The instructor was very impressed and after about 15 mins, he said he was going shopping and would be back in an hour. The first "bump" in the road it simulated, I didn't have proper grip on the steering wheel and it popped out of my hands the rig started swerving.

Here is the link to the simulator we are using.

~scott

Week #2

We performed pre-trips every morning on the 3 rigs the skewl has. The first week of learning pre-trip seemed like my head was going to explode, but this week words were coming on my mouth and was identifying things that thought I would never be able too.

Took our first class textbook test and passed with flying colors. I intend on taking my permit tests on Tuesday. May be loosing one student as he is having "rotatorcuff" issues and is in some pain, so if that happens that will get is down to 4.

Yesterday I got on the Simulator and did a total of 2 1/2 hrs of "driving" on it. It took me some time to get the Clutch-Neutral-Clutch-Gear operation down, once I did I purposely took "exits" and "hills" just to get the shifting down. The head instructor said that when they had the SIM put in they had it calibrated similar to their "testing rig." The instructor was very impressed and after about 15 mins, he said he was going shopping and would be back in an hour. The first "bump" in the road it simulated, I didn't have proper grip on the steering wheel and it popped out of my hands the rig started swerving.

Here is the link to the simulator we are using.

~scott

Thank you for the link to the simulator! I believe I have decided to go through a local colleges program for a CDL and they mentioned a simulator as well. Every time I hear the word, it brings back memories of my awful, awful, AWFUL drivers ed simulator. All students in class had a seat but we all used one simulated car on one massive screen. I always hated it because it was not really like driving, it felt like it failed even at trying to SIMULATE it! This simulator looks so much better than what I remember, this actually makes me even more excited. lol

Auntie -

I'm content that I picked BATC rather than a 30-day (or less) program. The info is sticking and feeling very comfortable with this decision.

~scott

Auntie -

I'm content that I picked BATC rather than a 30-day (or less) program. The info is sticking and feeling very comfortable with this decision.

~scott

The program I've chosen is an 8 week 320-hour program. Week 1-6 covers everything (maps, logging, regulations, etc) 4-6 adds in simulator and the last 4 weeks of the program are pretty much nothing but pre-trips and actual truck driving besides testing and reviews. I think besides the fact it is a very good college and all, I loved the 4 weeks of driving. I'd feel that it'd help everything stick much better as well. Good luck to you!

Earned by CDL Permit today with flying colors.

^scott

Week #3

This week was pretty good, still mostly classroom. Continue to perform pre-trips on the rigs at the start of class. Had some time on the simulator and as previously mentioned successfully passed the written tests and have my CDLP. Three of us are about a week ahead and ended the week working on trip planning, which we are continuing into Mon/Tue. It is interesting how the three of us have somewhat of different routing ideas.

Next week we continue with trip planning, and week #5 readings. A few of us will be beginning on skills in mid-week.

^scott

Week #4

It is hard to believe it only been a month since started CDL training, seems just last week.

I continue to work on the simulator exercises.

A fellow student and I are about a week ahead of some others, so the instructors put him and I in the "yard" learning and practicing straight back, and both off-set parking skills. The biggest *hint* I can give on performing these is to NOT exaggerate turning the steering wheels. Small turns and counter-steers is the only way from screwing it all up.

Friday, instructor took co-student and I out to Logan airport on the old runway to learn proper shifting techniques. I do well with up shifting (and double-clutching), the down-shifting has me somewhat. Increasing the RPMs so it falls into the correct gear has my brain a little confused. After lunch, worked on it again and became better. Any suggestions on smoothly down-shifting would be great.

^scott

Week #5

So after my down-shifting difficulties last week, I hit up on the simulator and practiced downshifting on it. Instructor took myself and a "refresher" out and I did much better on my down-shifting. The good thing about the simulator is that it is more difficult to perform than on real truck. Drove just over 50 miles today, with less than a dozen down-shifting difficulties I vastly improved from last week.