CFI Training - Truck Dynasty, Springfield, MO

You're welcome. We need an newer TDDA diary. Mine is two years old, the trucks are different, the trainers are different and there have been many other improvements.

Day 7

Cold and windy today, at least the sun was out most of the day. First thing today was pretrip inspection (big surprise there), after the trucks were warmed up and in the yard, the students testing for their CDL tomorrow were evaluated on their backing (straight, offset, parallel, and alley dock), my group observed while the new students that started yesterday worked on straight backing. When the evaluation was done, my group started on doing the 90 degree alley dock. We spent all afternoon taking turns, so each of us got at least four attempts. Backing is getting easier now, but I still want to get as much practice and instruction as possible. It's going to be a little more than a week until it's my turn to take the CDL exam, gotta work hard in the meantime. I'm having fun with the whole experience, the only negative has been the frigid weather!

Back at the motel now, and it's time for a good, hot shower! Thanks for reading.

He's a trucker freak..trucker freak...hes trucker freaky..yooww

oh sorry. great job..keep it up!! you got this

He's a trucker freak..trucker freak...hes trucker freaky..yooww

oh sorry. great job..keep it up!! you got this

Thanks, Rainy... you made my day! Be safe out there.

Day 8

Got to school this morning, and was greeted by a snowy lot and single digit temperatures. At least the wind wasn't blowing today. Spent most of the day working on blind side parallel parking, and did one on the sight side. Just about got the hang of it, the instructor said I made good progress with it. No one did alley docks today, the trucks were sliding around too much. Finished the day with offset backs on both sides, nailed both of them on the first try! Felt good, offsets were giving me the most trouble out of all the yard manuevers. Hopefully the yard will be thawed enough to get some alley docks in tomorrow.

That's all for today... and thanks for reading!

Day 9

Spent the morning on going over pretrip inspection, and did a couple of offset backs. Pretty much have 'em down pat now. Two of the trucks were out with students getting road time and testing for their CDLs, so there were only two trucks available for backing practice. I was waiting my turn for the alley dock when we stopped for lunch. Finally got to get some alley docks in this afternoon, still getting the hang of it, but each time it gets better and a little easier. It's all good, my personal goal is to get better every day.

We'll be getting an extra day on Saturday this week. I plan to take full advantage of it, since I'll be testing for my CDL sometime next week and definitely need all the practice I can get.

On a side note, two of the new students quit today... one couldn't stand the cold weather ("It's not like this in TEXAS!") and the other thought they were already 'Super Trucker' since "my uncle taught me to drive and these people don't know what they're talking about". That's OK, more truck time for the rest of us!

That's about it for today, and thanks for reading.

Day 10

Started out today with the usual pretrip inspection, afterwards my group worked on parallel parking on both sides. Getting better every day! Can't wait to get some more on-the-road time, it will probably be first of next week before it's my turn. There's a lot of students here, and we're expecting about ten more on Monday. Anyhow, I was one of two students that were chosen to be evaluated on pretrip inspection this afternoon. It's conducted exactly the same way as the actual CDL exam. I'm pleased to say that I passed, missed only five items on the entire vehicle. I'm aiming for missing zero on the next one. I'll have a 'bonus day' tomorrow to get in more pretrip and yard practice. Hopefully by this time next week, I'll be the proud owner of a brand new CDL.

Time to get back to studying that pretrip before hitting the sack.

Thanks for reading!

Keep up the good work. Sounds like you're getting it quickly.

Thanks, Big Scott. The school was open for an extra day today, got to spend all day practicing all of the yard manuevers. Only about half of the class showed up, so I got more truck time today than I've had in the past three days. It paid off well, just need to polish up my alley dock a little before I'm confident enough to test. Everything else I've got down pretty good. I'll finally get some on-road time this coming week. Looking forward to getting school finished and getting started with CFI!

Taking every opportunity to practice is a smart move, and it'll pay off. Keep on keepin on!