Truck Driver Institute In Indianapolis IN.

I have started my training at Truck Driver Institute in Indianapolis IN. This school is actually located just south of Indy in Whiteland.

A little background. I had no intentions of going to a private school. I had chosen Knight Transport as the company I wanted to work for and had been accepted to attend their school in Indy. But this is a new school that is not yet open and they have hit several delays. After waiting about 6 weeks I decided to look at some other options. I asked my recruiter which schools they liked to hire from and TDI was the first name that came up. They mentioned a couple of others, but said to make sure I at least check out TDI.

I phoned TDI and set up a meeting with one of their recruiters to check out the school. Again I did not think I would want to go to the private school, but I went in with an open mind. I met with Vic prepared with notebook in hand and a list of things I wanted to be sure to ask. I ended up spending two hours with Vic. I thanked him for his time, told him I still had other options to explore and that I would let him know something soon. I called him on Wed and Thursday with more questions, and on Friday called to let him know I was ready to join. I showed up the following Monday to start training.

The first week is classroom work and preparing to get your cdl permit. I was worried that I would be bored to death seeing as I had already obtained my permit with the tanker and doubles/triples endorsements. After a couple of days I was really glad that I already had my permit. That is a lot of info to take in during a short period of time, so I was much more relaxed during class and my evenings in my hotel. The week was far from a waste. The class is fairly laid back, considering everything you need to get through, so there was plenty of times for Q&A that really got into what to actually expect when your on the road.

On Wednesday the class went to the BMV to take the tests. I stayed at the school to go over the pretrip inspections and ask more questions. Some of the students didn't pass on the first try (like I said its a lot of info in a short time) and were going to be going back on Thursday. So I decided to study for my hazmat and take the test since time was available. I went to a local place Wed evening so I could get on the High Road Training Program (my hotel does not have wifi) and see if I could pass. Come Thursday afternoon I passed and had all my endorsements out of the way. Now I just have to get my fingerprint background check.

One thing I like about attending the private school is they schedule time for recruiters from different companies to come in. I have to say I am considering some that I really would not have even given a second thought. Now keep in mind that they can say anything to try to get you in, so you still have to do your research. But if nothing else they have brought up subjects to ask my preferred company about that I had not considered.

So far I am really impressed with everyone a the school, and am extremely happy with the choice I have made. Next week we start what I am referring to as hell week. The school normally runs Mon thru Fri 7:00 to 5:30. But with thanksgiving hitting on our final week we have to make those two days up the weekend before. This means 10 straight days of school! Oh we'll, I look at it as getting ready for what's coming when I'm on the road. At least I will be in the trucks instead of sitting in a classroom.

Our class started out with 8. But for different reasons some students will be starting again later so we are now down to 6. This should mean even more practice time in the trucks

Hopefully I can do smaller more frequent updates in the upcoming week since my wife was kind enough to bring me one of my laptops and a network cable lol.

Woody

The hotel.

They put us up in the Intown Suites about 10 minutes from the school. They charge $100 for the three weeks if you room with someone. I paid extra to have a room to myself. I will be rooming with a trainer in a closet soon enough so I wanted to have some privacy for the last few weeks.

In most of TDI schools you have a room for Mon thru Fri but not on weekends. But in the Whiteland school you have the room for the weekend too.

I'm not gonna sugar coat it, this is no holiday inn lol. There is Internet available but no wifi. So you will need a laptop and cable to have access. I had only brought my iPad so if I wanted access other than my phone I had to go somewhere that had free wifi. The bed is small, full I think, and firm. The website states big screen tv's. Twenty years ago the one in my room might have been considered big lol. It is basically an efficiency apartment. One room, plus bathroom, but there is a full size fridge and a stove if you want to bring in food and cook.

Woody

This is great news Woody.....I'm so happy you have gotten it off the ground....I know you were really looking forward to it....Sounds like things are going well also....Rock it my friend and keep us updated please!!!!!

Week two day one.

Today was our first day on the yard. We went out in the morning and went over the pre trip. Then it was time to get into a truck for the first time. Yes, this was literally my first time being inside a big rig. What a rush.

We started with the straight line backing. there were five of us on the yard at first, our sixth showed up a little later. We had two trucks going and did two straight line backs each turn, so it went pretty quickly.

There is one student that has been here a few weeks and has been struggling a little. They put him in a truck by himself and had him on a different part of the range so he could spend the entire morning working on all three range maneuvers. I have seen them spending extra time with a few people that are having trouble and are willing to go the extra mile to get people to where they need to be. Of course, being a private school you would expect this but it is nice to see it in action.

We broke for lunch, and then in the afternoon its finally time to hit the road. Yup, that's right. First day in a truck and I'm going on the road I was very pleased with how my time went. Of course I ground a few gears, and had a few learning moments, but all in all I picked it up pretty quickly.

I have to say that I have been totally impressed with all of the instructors so far. Mark, our instructor on the road today was incredible. We had one student that has been dreading this part. He has never driven a manual transmission let alone a semi. After a short run Mark had him pull over. Calmed him down, went over things a few times and then had him set in the passenger seat while Mark drove so the student could just watch. By the end of the students drive time he was doing soooo much better. I could tell that Mark really enjoys what he is doing and works hard at calming people down so they can relax and wait for that light bulb moment.

That's all for today, time to start working more on my pretrip LOL.

Woody

Great news Woody, You will do great Sir!!!!!

I had planned on doing daily detailed updates to my thread. But I gotta tell ya, these guys are wearing my ass out LOL. I was in bed before 8:00 yesterday, didn't even have the strength to study.

We drove more yesterday and today. Actually more in town and around traffic with lights and all the hazards. I am really happy with my progress. My shifting is pretty smooth for a newbie, both up and down. I have had troubles here and there but mainly its when I forget which gear I am in or forget to flip the hi low switch.

Yesterday we started on the offset parking. I am getting it done now consistently with one pull up, and occasionally with none. We had five drivers on the lot today with three trucks so turns went quickly. In fact a couple of the guys were more interested in standing up by the building and talking so during that time it was really quick lol.

Went over my in cab for the first time this morning. I had not even started to study that portion yet so I was pretty frustrated going through it. I HATE being unprepared! So while the others were driving I spent my time going over it again and again in my mind. I am looking forward to doing it tomorrow so I can redeem myself.

That's all I have time for tonight, I must go study

Woody days are long sure enough....You'll do great as long as you just relax and accept things as they come....The more stress introduced the more noticible things will become....It's a process, and you'll catch on and with enough practice it will just become second nature without a lot of thought.....A lot to be said for muscle memory.....

That's true PJ. Luckily I'm one of the most laid back people you could meet. Takes a lot to get me worked up.

Things are going really well for me. Driving is pretty smooth and getting better each day. Going through the 3 backing maneuvers for the test with 3 or less pull ups consistently. And can go through the entire pre-trip in my head without having to look at the truck. I know I will get nervous during the test, so I am trying to learn it well enough that I can still perform when the nerves come.

I will be testing Tuesday or Wednesday. I really like the instructors and my class mates, but I will be so happy to leave and not come back LOL.

Going to go get some rest. Tomorrow is my 14 hour day in order to get some night driving.

More later.

Woody