CRST - Training Adventures In Cedar Rapids

That is crazy that the guy did not report his seat belt ticket. In Iowa that is on or DMV report, I would assume it's on every States driving report. With all the resources there are you can't hide anything anymore so why Try? Keep up the good work Jeremy.

This is my final week at my DMACC Driving School. We start testing on Wednesday and yes I'm nervous. Biggest worry for me is 90 degree backing. But I think it finally clicked for me... Once you get set up right then you just do very small angles for your adjustments. I literally have dreams about that LOL. The next 2 days we work on the things we are having problems with. Can't wait to get the truck tomorrow... I was nailing the 90-degree on Thursday, so I want to prove to myself I can do this again.

Friday we had our night Drive, and I drove with a gal that had so much trouble picking things up at the beginning of class.... I was so impressed on her progress. Our instructor was so positive told us both we were going to nail it.

Wow, Junkyard... You guys get night drives? This is me jealous all over again!

Well, we start testing on Wednesday, as well. Though, some people will have to start a day later or so depending on when they got their permit.

For a moment or two, there was confusion on my part, but now Wednesday is definitely the day. But because we have so many people, I might only get to take one test a day for three days or something similar for two days.

Not much else to report today. Got some more driving practice this morning. Then we had a detailed lecture this afternoon about backing up. I took a bunch more notes and I'm hoping I can remember all of them by Wednesday. I've had three occasions to practice backing now, so with all the new notes, something should click by test time on Wednesday.

I've got two new roommates now, and neither one speaks very much English. I'm not a racist by any means, but I can't help but wonder what paperwork they filled out to get here, and what tests they will take now that they are here. Not to say they can't read and write better or more than they speak, just saying it's probably going to be challenging.

Well, happy Monday, everyone!!!
Make it a great week!!!

Exactly. Keep up the great work and keep on training!

we are not training for a job because currently we DO NOT have a job. We are training for our CDL and also taking part in one very long interview process right now. Which is exactly what this is... We are monitored in almost everything, from the amount of time we spend studying to how early or late we show up for class. Lots of things go into our training file and all of those things combined are taken into account when the company reviews the original job application we filled out.

Wow, Junkyard... You guys get night drives? This is me jealous all over again!

Well, we start testing on Wednesday, as well. Though, some people will have to start a day later or so depending on when they got their permit.

For a moment or two, there was confusion on my part, but now Wednesday is definitely the day. But because we have so many people, I might only get to take one test a day for three days or something similar for two days.

Not much else to report today. Got some more driving practice this morning. Then we had a detailed lecture this afternoon about backing up. I took a bunch more notes and I'm hoping I can remember all of them by Wednesday. I've had three occasions to practice backing now, so with all the new notes, something should click by test time on Wednesday.

I've got two new roommates now, and neither one speaks very much English. I'm not a racist by any means, but I can't help but wonder what paperwork they filled out to get here, and what tests they will take now that they are here. Not to say they can't read and write better or more than they speak, just saying it's probably going to be challenging.

Well, happy Monday, everyone!!!
Make it a great week!!!

Good luck Jeremy. Personally had an awful day today. Nailed the 90, on my first practice and then screwed it up miserably the next two. Told you I literally have dreams about this. For some reason also had problems with my offset today... Have to stop overthinking things. Took our DOT Practice drive, the instructor told me I had 3 fails....yikes. one was I missed my Double Down coming up to the stop light, another in taking a turn and I clipped the Curb with the trailer...barely...yikes. the third was and I didn't even realize it I rode the clutch too long coming up to a stop light. I was devastated. He looked at me and said this is why we do this... Remember your mistakes and tomorrow will be better. More bad dreams tonight I'm sure...

It's surprising hearing you guys talk about doing the 90 in school as you prepare for your iowa CDL skills test. I took my test in Davenport Iowa last July and our backs were straight line, driver offset, driver parallel. Just surprises me that different locations within the same state have different tests. Really the offset and paralell are quite similiar.

Oh boy!!! Time to vent...

Finally got more backing practice this morning. And it was a complete and total disaster!

...

Actually, it's my fault for not taking a few deep breathes and remembering how to deal with certain types of people.

I marched back here to the smoking area to post a whole bunch of stuff that I really want to scream from the top of my lungs. But you know what? Eff it! Its my fault for reacting instead of focusing and just dealing.

So, I lied. No venting.

Careful Jeremy. It's all a test, many times by design.

Try to keep your cool and not lose focus. Okay to adjust, just don't lose focus, ever.

Well, took two tests today. Nailed PTI without much issue at all. Forgot to mention some hoses under the hood and didn't point to the air compressor when I covered that. No matter, I passed PTI with room to spare.

Then I was called to do my backing test. Yowsers! That whole thing went down like the Hindenburg! I might have broken the record for the worst backing test in CRST history, lol. Thankfully we did have quite a few people from our class pass today.

Well, I get three more attempts. And it's up to me learn from my mistakes. I was only guaranteed a shot - the results are up to me. Tomorrow is a new day. Reset, recharge, re-engage.

And you don't even have to take the PTI again, do you? That's one headache you're already done with. Do you feel confident about the road test?

Tomorrow is a new day. Reset, recharge, re-engage.

Do you get to practice?

Are you aware of what's going wrong?

It sounds to me like your pushing the trailer all over the place without a clue of why it's not working - you can't pass like that.

You need to stop as soon as you see your headed into the wrong path. Then you've got to pull up and straighten the wheels. Don't keep backing up trying to turn the wheel to fix it. That will only make it worse.

I keep trying to come up with a visual to help you, but you haven't been very clear with us concerning what's happening.

Can you think of it like turning a wheelbarrow? The trailer is the wheelbarrow and the tractor is you pushing the handles so that the wheelbarrow goes where you need it.