In School And Some Things To Ponder...

Well week 2 is done so I have made it to the 1/2 way mark. Still got some issues, first, curbs ... I still hate them, every time I think I have waited long enough, I quickly find that I have not ... 100 straight back I am all good with ... 45 degree back fair enough, can nail it every time with 1 quick pull up .... 90 degree, terrible ... Don't have much problem floating up and down, occasionally I still scratch em but for the most part I am good at least 75% of the time improving with each drive ... Pre trips, not to hard cause I spent months studying before ever entering school ... My advice to anyone going into ANY kind of program MEMORIZE everything you can about pre trips. I personally am going thru a 4 week course at an AWESOME local school, the owner and his instructors all have a million plus and the patience of saints! The school time is 4 days a week (10 hr days) AND if you feel you need to work on things you can set up a Friday 1 on 1 at no cost. They pride themselves on a 94% 1 st time pass, and if for some reason you DONT pass on the 1st try the owner will help you correct whatever kept you back and PAY for your retest. Overall so far an excellent experience ... Would LOVE to get them added to your list of private schools here in Washington ... Will post here updates as things happen, right now though, I am just stuck in my worry that I won't be "good enough" to get rolling, after all I only have 9 school days to master this stuff. That's NOT a lot of time, will probably go an extra day next week to work on my backing ....

Anyone got tricks or tips on backing or curbing I would LOVE to hear them!

Also, after driving stick 4 wheelers for SO MANY YEARS, I have the habit of kicking to neutral, say coming off the freeway ... In the big cars the term the instructors use is "out of control" though since they are still alive, I don't feel out of control at all ... My question, is there a way to break this habit easily?

My other bad one is keeping a hand on the shift leaver, but the wife has been a great help there ... I now wear a rubber band, which she snaps each time I do it ... Works great for both of us, she gets a free pass to inflict pain, I pass the test .... Win win

Thanks all, I appreciate the feed back .... Pete H - Seattle

Well in your 90 backing what do you tend to more, jackknife it to much or not enough? I noticed when I was doing it that set up is key in any backing maneuver, buy especially 90 (or alley dock we called it). Don't be afraid to tell the examiner you need to check your set up and ask for your reset if things don't look quite right.

On kicking into neutral I'm not sure. I noticed that when coming to a stop I could usually down **** probably two or three gears before I knew I was close enough to put it in neutral. So try and remember to down shift at least X times before you know its safe to go neutral. Obviously some situations won't allow it but it's that best I got right now :)

Curbs..... Well that just comes with getting to know what your driving. In the school I went too, the trucks were short day cabs with single rear axle and 48ft trailers. Except one that was a full size sleeper dual axle and 53 foot trailer. Two completely different feelings to drive. You will eventually get used to judging were truck and trailer will go on turns. I would say just when you think you need to turn wait another second two then try it.

Well that's what I got for you. Good luck!

Will post here updates as things happen, right now though, I am just stuck in my worry that I won't be "good enough" to get rolling, after all I only have 9 school days to master this stuff. That's NOT a lot of time, will probably go an extra day next week to work on my backing ....

Peter, there is not a trucking school in the country that graduates truck driving experts. Their only purpose is to get you to the point where you can get your CDL. Trust me, that is a far cry from being a professional driver. That is why the trucking company you go to work for will put you with a trainer for a minimum of four weeks. During that time you will learn a lot of things that the school probably didn't even touch on. Furthermore when the trainer tells the bosses that you are ready to go on your own, you're gonna be thinking "hey, wait a minute guys, I'm not sure I'm ready for this". Nobody ever really feels they are ready when they get that first set of keys handed to them, but at that point you have got to face the music and jump in with both feet. That first three months of running as a solo over the road trucker is brutal on everyone - in fact that is the time period where many people throw in the towel and decide "this is not for me".

I had a terrible trainer, and I still learned a lot from him, but I really gained the most during my first three months of running solo. Hang in there, because if you think this part is challenging, you've got a lot more challenging times ahead. I love a challenge, and I think that anyone interested in trucking will be helped along by enjoying being challenged. Keep your head in the game, don't over think things, and enjoy what you are doing. This is a great career, but it is a lengthy process that you will go through before you start to gain some confidence in your abilities. It will come, but it usually comes after you've been humbled more times than you want to tell your friends about.

Hang in there!

Will post here updates as things happen, right now though, I am just stuck in my worry that I won't be "good enough" to get rolling, after all I only have 9 school days to master this stuff. That's NOT a lot of time, will probably go an extra day next week to work on my backing ....

Peter, there is not a trucking school in the country that graduates truck driving experts. Their only purpose is to get you to the point where you can get your CDL. Trust me, that is a far cry from being a professional driver. That is why the trucking company you go to work for will put you with a trainer for a minimum of four weeks. During that time you will learn a lot of things that the school probably didn't even touch on. Furthermore when the trainer tells the bosses that you are ready to go on your own, you're gonna be thinking "hey, wait a minute guys, I'm not sure I'm ready for this". Nobody ever really feels they are ready when they get that first set of keys handed to them, but at that point you have got to face the music and jump in with both feet. That first three months of running as a solo over the road trucker is brutal on everyone - in fact that is the time period where many people throw in the towel and decide "this is not for me".

I had a terrible trainer, and I still learned a lot from him, but I really gained the most during my first three months of running solo. Hang in there, because if you think this part is challenging, you've got a lot more challenging times ahead. I love a challenge, and I think that anyone interested in trucking will be helped along by enjoying being challenged. Keep your head in the game, don't over think things, and enjoy what you are doing. This is a great career, but it is a lengthy process that you will go through before you start to gain some confidence in your abilities. It will come, but it usually comes after you've been humbled more times than you want to tell your friends about.

Hang in there!

Thanks you guys for the comments really appreciate you both :-)

Well an extra day of screwing around on the backing range, and I got the 100, 45 AND 90 to where I am fairly confident in them ... Now all that's left, is to make sure every curb in washington doesn't come painted with a bullseye on it ... I got a week left cross your fingers guys and if you get up this way DONT STAND ON THE FRIGGEN CURBS! Cause I'll have the trailer up there!

Well an extra day of screwing around on the backing range, and I got the 100, 45 AND 90 to where I am fairly confident in them ... Now all that's left, is to make sure every curb in washington doesn't come painted with a bullseye on it ... I got a week left cross your fingers guys and if you get up this way DONT STAND ON THE FRIGGEN CURBS! Cause I'll have the trailer up there!

Everyone has humor today, this one made me laugh out loud. I am sure that you will do just fine. Ladydi

Well Guy's and Gal's /// I managed a Pass on the Test and got a bright shiny new Class A with everything but Haz Mat on it ... (Didn't wanna screw around with TSA) Now the real learning and fun starts ... anyone got suggestions on decent company's in the Washington State Area?

Thanks Pete

If you have any interest in flat-bedding you should look into Central Oregon Trucking Company.

Peter, I'm assuming you realize you don't have to live anywhere near the company you work for. My home is one thousand miles from my company's main terminal. As long as you are in their hiring area they will get you a load headed for your state when you are ready to go home.

Almost forgot, Congratulations! Woo-Hoo!

If you have any interest in flat-bedding you should look into Central Oregon Trucking Company.

Peter, I'm assuming you realize you don't have to live anywhere near the company you work for. My home is one thousand miles from my company's main terminal. As long as you are in their hiring area they will get you a load headed for your state when you are ready to go home.

Almost forgot, Congratulations! Woo-Hoo!

Thanks O.S.

Yes I do realize that :) The reason I was asking about the Washington State area, is it seems easier if I look local to find Western Regional ... I am not so much worried about home time as, as soon as possible my wife will be riding along ... The primary reason for this is, I can stay out longer and she loves to travel ... So it works out well for both of us really ... In MANY more ways than one ;o) ... I will definitely look into Central Oregon Trucking Company ... Also looking into May, Haney, and Schneider ... to start with