Using 401 (k) For School?

Rick has the true bottom line:

Most private schools (have) ... a 3 week course that JUST SATISFIES the 160 hour requirement, and basically gives you just enough to pass a CDL exam to get your license.

This is true for nearly every CDL school, private as well as company. The main hurdle to a truck driving job is the license (Duhh). Trucking, along with most other careers is one where simple book learning is not a key to success.

In fact the part that allows you to become a great trucker is the final stage - road training with an experienced trucker. Several weeks, one-on-one. You're already hired and getting paid by then.

So don't complain if you feel "undertrained" once you get through school. I did complain to my road training (pre-CDL) instructor. That ticked him off so much that he made me drive local streets, left turn then right turn, for hours!

I say he was just making sure you felt properly trained. Driving thru residential area is great training. Trees, dogs, cars, kids, wires, and signs to avoid. Not to mention all that practicing performing button hook turns in tight quarters.

Button hook turning is for lazy drivers. It's unsafe, too. The second lane out from the curb is always there, even on a two lane street.

Our state cdl manual has a little diagram of "jug handle" vs "button hook", and says that jug handle (turning left to start your right turn) is incorrect. However, my company taught us to make turns by turning into the left part of the intersection, and they called that a button hook. Maybe I don't know how to turn correctly, but my experience has been that I've seen a lot of turns (like in downtown areas) I don't think I could have made without using the lane to the left of me when starting the turn. (I'm talking about right turns).

Sorry for the threadjack. But I wanted to add, my company taught us to make *tight* turns using what they called a button hook, and maybe the cdl manual is talking about "normal" turns. but I'm still wondering which one Errol is talking about when he said button hook.

John L wrote:

Most trucking companies will hire you as long as you have no recent felony, DUI or reckless driving convictions, are at least 21 years old, and not a known or suspected terrorist.

True enough, but you also need to qualify medically and with a relatively clean MVR. You will be hard pressed to find a company that will hire someone with multiple, recent moving violations.

You are only hired once you pass their driving and yard skills test.

Button hook turning is for lazy drivers. It's unsafe, too. The second lane out from the curb is always there, even on a two lane street.

I'm also curious about this statement of yours Errol. Perhaps a definition of terms is in order, especially when making a statement that drivers are being 'lazy' by performing techniques taught in school.

If my memory still works well (with brain cells dying every day), the technique for a right turn is to stay in your starting lane, drive straight into the intersection, and turn sharply right into the second lane out from your street corner. Don't use the starting lane to your left.

If you're turning into a two lane road, you may have to wait to the oncoming cross traffic is clear and turn into that "wrong direction" lane to get your tail end around the corner.

Now looking up this image, maybe it's just a matter of a name. (My instructor said not to do "button hook" turns, but in California - source of this image - that's what it's called. In that case, never mind!)

My instructor said not to do "button hook" turns

Are people thinking "U-turn" when you say "button hook turn"? That's what I thought you meant.

Safe driving pointer. Whatever you call that turn, once you get your front end going around, your eyeballs need to be 80% using your mirrors watching the street corner and your tandems , and you keep steering so your back tires don't run over the curb, light poles or people.

My instructor said not to do "button hook" turns

Are people thinking "U-turn" when you say "button hook turn"? That's what I thought you meant.

U-turns are a different animal, and they are not recommended.