My Experience With SAGE Truck Driving School Of Rome, NY (So Far!)
Topic 4317 | Page 2
Hello Tarren, You really sound a lot like i did, the excitement of learning to drive the monstrosities called tractor trailers. And after your first try sound the practice course, sounds like you will be just fine! I can't begin to tell you the issues i had figuring out downshifting lol Same... Too much rpm or too little at times. Then forgetting i was in 7 and not eight lolol Forgetting the selector switch to go down to low gears... After the second and third day it got so much easier. It's quite an adventure for a city boy who never stepped foot in a truck before.. The hours you are going to be driving does sound a little low tho. I will have a total of 110 hours behind the wheel in a three week period. It's up for debate i think, but coming right out of school into a new job with that amount of driving, Not trying to.... Discourage... By any means, but there is so much to learn. Driving in moderate traffic alone is interesting. Will the company that you sign on to also give you a trainer before cutting you loose on your own? I will absolutely be following your posts, please keep us informed of your progress! Good luck!
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Thanks for the response Andy!
Yeah, whatever company I sign on with should more than likely send me out with a trainer. TMC, I know has two weeks orientation/load securement. Then out on the road with a trainer for 5 weeks. I think one of the nice things a out Sage is that it's always just one student/one trainer. 11, 4 hour sessions, and if you need more help, it's there. I'll try and keep everything as up to date as possible. this summer has just flown by so fast! I can't believe I'm starting tomorrow night!!!
My boss texted me earlier, and told me that I can take tomorrow off if I want to. (Slowing down right now, the calm before the winterization storm!) LOL So, I have been studying my butt off with the High Road Questions !!! Since I have the day off, I'm gonna go get my permits out of the way! Then, off to class from 5-9pm
More to come....
Tarren
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
OK! Here we go!!!!!
It has been a very long, but very awesome week! Classes started on Tuesday. There are 4 of us in the class, which I like because we're not struggling to keep up. If there is a question or problem, we can take the time to review. The instructors are totally cool. Each (that we've met so far) have at least 10 years of trucking experience, and both of them really know their stuff. This school, I found out, is not quite the same as the other Sage schools. They have a little bit different way of doing things. However, they are one of the top Sage schools in the country. They have a 96% success rate, 98% placement rate! and they hold the record for the most consecutive passed road tests in the country for Sage! @ 20 in a row!
Sorry, I don't mean to sound like a commercial or that I'm bragging. But, even though it's going to take hard work. I'm very excited, enthusiastic, and dare I even say, proud of "my school"!!!!! (something I never had in High school). They care how we do. They want us to know how to do it the right way. They want us to be professionals, not just pass the DMV tests, and that's the way they teach.
I got an "Atta-Boy" from both instructors for things I knew, (Thank you TruckingTruth!!!) and for being proactive enough to purchase the text book, so that I can keep it, highlight in it, and even put notes in it to help me review and remember things I might have missed.
We had a recent graduate/TMC Driver stop by with his rig to talk to us. That was awesome! It has sealed the deal for me. I know I want to be a flatbedder! After we got back to the classroom, he texted the instructor and told him; if anyone wanted to talk to him some more, to give us his cell number. Needless to say, I took it.
There's a lot more. But, right now, I'm going to spend time with my wife and grandson, then get back to studying!
Thank you again to everyone here at TruckingTruth! I have told my classmates all about this site, and at least two of them have downloaded the Mobile App .
More to come!
Tarren
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
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Well! The ball is rolling! I start classes on Tuesday sept. 2nd! Paperwork is in, check is on the way, I've been studying my butt off with the High Road Training Program.
I told my current boss that I won't be back next spring. He's taking it kind of hard. He said he's sad to see me go, but he understands. There's been a few guilt trips laid down, but it's been good natured. I'm still going to finish out the season while I'm attending night classes. I have no doubts that it's going to be a bit rough working 9am - 3pm, then driving the 2 hours to the school. Class from 5pm - 9pm, then driving an hour or so back home each night. But, I'll get used to it, I'm sure. No rest for the weary! Right?!?
I've decided to go with flat bedding and already have had a few pre-hires , phone calls and even met with one recruiter. As it stands right now, TMC, Roehl, & Melton are my top 3. But, I'm not stopping there! I'll keep filling 'em out, and sending 'em in!
I just want to say a BIG THANK YOU! to Brett, and everyone here at Trucking Truth! I wouldn't have gotten this far without you!
Also, to WineTaster, for the late night texts full of info, tips and that great picture of the Minnesota skyline where you shut down that one night! It's been very inspiring!
More to come! As the adventure continues!
Tarren
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre-hires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.