Can I Make A Suggestion For The Forum?
Topic 7082 | Page 4
What I am saying is learning more about actual driving before you start CDL school for those who have little knowledge about how a truck operates or the lingo that is used in the industry. Like the basic parts of a truck. The different kind of trailers. The different types of transmissions. Double clutch vs Floating. All the stuff that gives you confidence when you walk into the first day of class feeling like you know some truck driving basics. Even with CDL test prep, some of the terms in there to the newbie with no prior knowledge can be confusing to understand. (I.E. explaining the difference between a CDL A and B. Yes the definition is there. But to understand that definition, you need to know the different types of vehicles.
That basically sums up what you guys have been saying and I totally agree. I think that's where Errol's idea of Wiki-style pages will come in. I started putting together a glossary and I was going to do pages about different topics, not just definitions. And I think the Wiki-style idea is the next evolution of that idea.
For a long time I've wanted to have more information about everything - the DOT physical, the CDL permit, CSA , the bridge law, floating gears , driving up and down steep grades, winter driving - I mean, there are 1000 topics to cover. But I really couldn't put my finger on the best way to go about it.
I think the Wiki-style pages will be the way to go. It will allow us to add long, detailed pages about anything you can think of from CB lingo to pre-trip inspections to the different types of shift patterns.
On each page I'll setup a form that will let anyone submit information on any topic. I'll moderate it and post it if it's helpful and adds to what we already have.
Does it sound like I'm on the right track here?
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
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.
Floating Gears:
An expression used to describe someone who is shifting gears without using the clutch at all. Drivers are taught to "Double Clutch" or press and release the clutch twice for each gear shift. If you're floating gears it means you're simply shifting without using the clutch at all.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Oh.......and I can also use any of these new materials we'll add to the Wiki pages as new additions to the High Road Training Program. We can expand that program tremendously.
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.
Oh.......and I can also use any of these new materials we'll add to the Wiki pages as new additions to the High Road Training Program. We can expand that program tremendously.
Yes sir. You definitely got my point. If you need any help let me know! I am in school now and can write down questions and other things i come across that are confusing while they are still fresh in my mind.
Also if you need input on the DOT physical. I have done a lot of research.
Send me a message if you need anything Brett. This site has been a huge help to me and i would like to contribute and help the next batch of newbies.
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.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
O yeah Brett I think it would help out if you put on the company profile weather they do a urine or hair follicle or both it should stop that question being asked all the time....
How about a seen count on each topic and reply... Like 334 seen this topic 23 seen this reply type thing... Not sure if possible.. O by the way did you see my post about replying via text message or when you subscribe to a topic instead of email the site sends a text message and you can reply via text message
How about a seen count on each topic and reply... Like 334 seen this topic 23 seen this reply type thing... Not sure if possible.. O by the way did you see my post about replying via text message or when you subscribe to a topic instead of email the site sends a text message and you can reply via text message
Yeah, I've thought about putting the number of times viewed but I think it's just more stuff on the screen that's really not helpful. I mean, even listing only 15 topics on a pages means 15 more of anything we add. Most forums you look at are loaded to the roof with junk on every page. I'm trying to avoid that by only putting what's really helpful.
As far as the text messages, we would do emails before text messages......much simpler to execute and we don't have to worry about it costing anyone anything on their data plan the way text messages might.
Does this form have a IM messenger option? So you can talk to other people on here one on one? Thanks
Does this form have a IM messenger option? So you can talk to other people on here one on one? Thanks
Not IM, but private messaging. If you click on someone's name to the left of one of their comments it will take you to their profile. On that page you'll see the option of sending them a private message. It will send them an email from you. If they respond it will go to your email address and you can talk privately that way.
Does this form have a IM messenger option? So you can talk to other people on here one on one? Thanks
Not IM, but private messaging. If you click on someone's name to the left of one of their comments it will take you to their profile. On that page you'll see the option of sending them a private message. It will send them an email from you. If they respond it will go to your email address and you can talk privately that way.
Thanks
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HA! Lunch break in class and was showing one of the guys this site and the comments on this thread. Had to share what he just said:
How is knowing where I want to pre-hire at gonna help me with learning how to pre-trip?
Had to share what he said. He kinda hit on the head what I am trying to get at.... Many of us know why we are in school. We did the research on the companies jobs and lifestyle. There is tons of info out there. What we need more educational tools.... As they say, Knowledge is Power!
I got to get him to join this site.
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated