CDS Tractor Trailer Training In Virginia
Topic 15507 | Page 1
This is my first post, but like most, I've been stalking this site and using the training material provided for a little bit. I start training today at CDS in Virginia. I am actually at the school early because I had to go to a different location than the one near my home for the first week in order to use my GI Bill to pay for it. I got here and of course my paperwork isnt here from the local office....no biggie....just roll with it! I'm looking forward to starting training and I'll keep this thread updated as my training goes on.
Eric
Good luck Eric, you'll do great!
Ok, so today was day 2, I didn't post yesterday, so I'll update today.
Day 1 - Classroom. Our instructor was cool and ver knowledgeable. We were set to finish 4 chapters in the book, but at 11 the power went out. They put us on linch break and the power came back on around 1. We ended up only completing 2 chapters.
Day 2 - Yard day. We worked on straight line backing in the morning. 3 tries then switch students. On my first try an observer would think I was trying to complete a 86 point turn, hahaha. Secont try i got it but took out 1 cone. Third try i was better. By the 4, 5, & 6 tries I was doing really good. Then we started pre-trip and walked through with the instuctor before lunch. After lunch we did pre-trip on our own. I went through twice with the paper and found some shade to cool off as the heat index was 107. The instructor was messing with me and asked if I had it down. Thanks to my work on this site as well as you tube, I said yes. He said, let's go then. He took my paper and I completed the entire outside and under the hood of the truck. I missed 1 part, the catwalk. I amazed myself, my instructor was floored and went to tell the lead instructor. We worked on in cab and brake checks for a bit. Then finished the day with more straight line backing. All in all, a good day, but very HOT!
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Day 3 - Classroom all day. Inspections, Shifting, and Coupling/uncoupling all day today. We had a recruiter from Werner come by in the afternoon. Finished the day with "how to fill out an application & How to do an Interview".
Day 4 - Yard Day! We started with Coupling and Uncoupling a trailer 5 or 6 times, then we did pre-trip again. I aced it this time with no paper to help, my instructor was blown away. After lunch we started off set backing. Holy crap, it was not a pretty sight! I was able to do it with 3 or 4 pull ups the first couple times. Then I was down to two pull ups, which is enough for the DMV. Our instructor wanted us to try to get it in just one pull up. I did once....hahaha.
I am not in class on Day 5 as I am going to a different location on Monday, tomorrow.
More to come....
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Today was Day 6, we went over a few chapters in the book and FMCSR's today. This week will be all classroom, so not too eventful! I have started at the campus closer to my home today, wow what a different atmosphere from the other campus! In Woodford, we had about 20 people in the class, here we have 6,
After class, I called the DMV to find out the status of my test card so I can take the learner's test, WV is a bear to get things done! Good news, it was approved and mailed out on Thursday so I should get it in the mail tomorrow, if so I will go test Wednesday morning.
This evening I spent some time filling out applications on line for pre-hires with a few companies I liked. FINGERS CROSSED my top pics like what they see!
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre-hires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Day 7 - all classroom all day! This will be the same all week this week. On a good note, I got my authorization to take my permit test and am going to go in the morning! I'll let ya know how it goes....
Day 8 - more of the same classroom stuff, today was cargo securement and security. I took my CDL Permit tests this am and did awesome, so watch out on the road!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Congrats!!!
Congrats!!!
Thanks Captain!
Day- 9 Today was classroom again. All log books all day today. I picked that up quickly and didn't find it difficult at all. Others were not as quick, so I got to leave early!
Leaving early is always good. They should have let you play with the trucks though. That's more fun ;)
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
This is my first post, but like most, I've been stalking this site and using the training material provided for a little bit. I start training today at CDS in Virginia. I am actually at the school early because I had to go to a different location than the one near my home for the first week in order to use my GI Bill to pay for it. I got here and of course my paperwork isnt here from the local office....no biggie....just roll with it! I'm looking forward to starting training and I'll keep this thread updated as my training goes on.
Eric