What Did I Get Myself Into (learn To Drive A Truck In An Hour?)

ok so I applied at my current job about 4 months ago, because they placed an ad in the paper stating, "cdl training provided, no cdl or experience required" sounds great right? (of course its a yard horse position)

well after the interview was over I ended up in the warehouse stacking pallets due to -"NOT HAVING EXPERIENCE"- oh well so I have been stacking pallets for about 4 months now, and after the manager that hired me got demoted and the new manager noticed that I had applied for the yard horse position and got me interview with the manager of that department

well manager in that department not exactly the friendliest guy ive ever met, and pretty much wrote me off immediately, but after some negotiating (exaggerating as well) I get a chance to prove myself Monday, and from the sound of it I have to show him I will be able to drive what I believe is a 9 speed, but I know their trucks are single axle ford, and sterling trucks ( old and very beat up)

ONE PROBLEM!!!.... never driven a tractor before, much less with a trailer

any tips on take off and/or shifting given it is a 9 speed

Let me make sure I'm getting this correctly.

You applied for a driving job in which you had no experience but they provided the training.

You didn't get it.

A few months later you're given the chance to see if you can handle driving it.

But you still have no experience and no training and you're going to try to drive it.

Well, at least it's a single axle Ford. Those are babies compared to a real truck. But honestly man, I'm a man of safety first. So I honestly cannot support the idea of driving something like this without at least some experience or at least training. It's really hard to get down the mechanics of it all and it definitely takes some lessons.

The only thing I can tell you is to make wide turns, go slow, and do your best. But usually it takes some training to be able to safely drive a tractor trailer.

Basically got it right, but mostly I think the guy is gonna have me prove I will be able to learn the take off, and shifting, stopping and all that, but I also have the feeling he's going to make it as hard as possible for me, I'm sure they wont allow for any safety concerns, as they almost suspended me for three days for not reporting a small cardboard cut due to being a tiny cut, and being extremely busy,

I really don't think they will give me much as far as pointers, probably mostly give me the worst truck they have, and make me give them a reason to train me, but once I can give them the reason im sure they would provide good training from there out, also im sure there wont be anything around for me to damage (at first)

But also no matter what they unless I absolutely CANNOT drive the truck I am not going to give up, I have wanted my cdl for awhile now, but cant afford the training, and have three kids so don't want to go over the road right away until I have a better feel of how it will work for me, also I have heard "talk" of them assisting with cdl after a year, and they have otr positions within the company where I would be home every couple night and even many times nightly, so they are going to have to do everything they can to make me fail, but I will fight that every second

Tell us about this Ford truck.

Is the transmission synchronized?

They didn't tell me anything about the truck the 9 speed part even is a guess, another reason the guy made me feel like he didn't really want to even give me the chance to begin with, but I guess my confidence/arrogance made him decide to give me the chance and make It as difficult as possible, he wants "only the best" working for him, I do understand him wanting good employees but on the other hand its not like this is the worlds greatest job, ill actually take a pay LOSS due to the fact that its the same pay per hour (11.55) but I will lose the fact that I get paid per pallet, at .40 per pallet I average 75.00-85.00 per week in pallet bonus, I know I work harder than most others, there are only 2 people in sortation that make more me and they have been there more than years each, so the numbers show I work hard, and will work even harder to get the experience I need,

I guess im really just diving head first into this and its all or nothing, problem is im going in pretty blind and it'll be sink or swim, and probably one of the hardest things ive ever done in my life, and to add to it all, the roads are very slick so i'll be in some of the worst conditions, I know they will make it as much of a nightmare as possible, but they also wont be able to allow me to hurt myself or others, or damage the equipment, so they'll have to give me at least some training, it's nerve racking but I will not just give up, plus I'm sure where they'll have me the worst thing I can do is hit a snow bank

IF the truck IS a 9 speed, I would start out in FIRST with no trailer right?, and I would depress the clutch fully, apply the brake, and release the park brake, then I would let off the brake and slowly release the clutch, then would I give it some throttle, or would I wait until truck begins to move a little before pressing the accelerator?

Ryan, I've spent many hours today thinking about your situation. I hope that doesn't come off creepy, but a good answer requires lots of thinking!

Firstly, let me say that I can bet that the transmission is synchronized. Which is a breathe of fresh air because if it wasn't you would have no chance. It's a Ford, should be synchronized.

Also, I do believe that you might be approaching this the wrong way. Look, you're probably not going to come in there and drive perfectly. Lets face it. With no experience you'll be lucky if you pass his standards. I think you need to come off as an employee who is more than willing to learn and wants the job badly.

I recommend that you ask questions. Don't just hop in the truck and take off. Ask him how to operate it because you want to make sure that you know what you're doing.

Say something along the lines of this "Hey boss, before we drive off can you give me a quick rundown on how to drive this truck. I want to make sure I know what I'm doing and don't want to be a safety hazard."

I mean, don't come across as completely clueless. But ask questions to let him know that you're serious about this and that safety is important to you.

What will look better?

You doing what I just said

OR

You drive down the road and drive like a monkey and make yourself look like an idiot.

I think you're only chance on getting this job is to convince him that you're a work-in-progress that will be a great, safe driver with some training. I doubt you can actually hop in there and drive perfectly.

To be honest, you need some training. I know he wants the best drivers, but for that low pay he isn't getting good drivers - only drivers who think they're good.

I would start it in first gear always unless he tells you otherwise. You don't want to start off in second or third and risk stalling or lugging the engine. So play it safe and start off in first gear from a stop.

To stop press the clutch pedal and then brake pedal. If you only push the brake pedal then the engine will stall. Whenever you're stopped, step on both the clutch and brake pedal.

To take off from a stop slowly take your foot off the clutch and brake pedal. Don't rapidly take your feet off, that'll make the truck jump. But slowly depress both pedals at the same time. You're probably going to struggle with this so this would be a great question to ask.

Remember to press the clutch to switch gears.

Now, there could be some differences between our vehicles. That's why I recommend you ask him a few questions before take off. You shouldn't drive if you have to guess what to do.

I really wish you luck Ryan and please tell us how it goes.

Daniel, thanks for the reply, the majority of what you stated is right along the lines of what I was thinking all day today, I did speak with a former yard horse, he said the trucks ARE 9 speeds, and also he feels the manager most likely made it seem like he would expect more of me than he really would just to see if he could scare me away, I know there is no way I would be able to just jump in and take off without an issue, but I do know I will give it my absolute best shot, and will definitely refuse anything that I feel would be unsafe

the braking/clutching makes a lot more sense now that you verified what I was thinking on it, Im just not sure if I should apply the accelerator as I let the clutch out, or would the truck begin to move slightly and then I apply the accelerator, I know I don't want too little rpms but also not too much either

Im sure I wont be running a trailer right away, probably mostly showing I can learn to take off and shift gears, as far as shifting goes, from what ive come to learn so far is: I would upshift at about 1500 rpm, which I would double clutch or at least not FULLY apply the clutch so as to not damage the clutch brake, and for downshifting Im a little confused :shift at around 1000-1200 rpms, but when in neutral bring rpms to 1500 before shift into the next gear?: or something like that kinda lost there

You should ask them what transmission is in the truck. There's no way they could expect you to know in advance. Or look around inside for the label/shift pattern. On the dashboard, or over the drivers door. A single axle Sterling could be a city tractor, with a 5 or 6 speed synchronized transmission, no double clutching required. If it doesn't have a splitter lever or button of some sort on the stick, it most likely is.