Prime Orientation 6/6/15!

The only thing I am not looking forward to is the 28hr Greyhound ride.

Things I'm concerned about are: The TNT..Living in close quarters with another bloke for, how many weeks?

The maneuverability test. Parallel parking (blindside), offset parking, and 90 degree docking.

Overall, I think everything will be fine.

Very excited! This may sound corny, but the thing I can't wait for the most, is to get my truck, and my first CB radio! Ha!

I'm 43yrs old, and I've wanted one of the damn things since Smokey and the Bandit. I understand now, the airwaves are filled with hate and filth, but that seems to be all forms of mass communication these days, ie. the internet, online gaming etc.

I've done a ton of research, and am ready to pass the CDL permit, and necessary endorsements.

Also, Daniel B's one month adventure, was very addicting, and I thank you. The snowy mountain driving reminded me of my home town of Cleveland. No mountains, but plenty of change in elevation with blizzard conditions. I know what sliding and tires braking away feels, like, and do not look forward to that in an eighteen wheeler.

Anyway, I'm so excited, and friends and family can't relate, so thanks for this forum as well.

Peace!

That's awesome. I actually started at prime on Monday (6/29/15). It's been fun so far.

Some tips that I've noticed so far, being that my week was cut early for the fourth of July and ends tomorrow on 7/2/15.

Take the simulator seriously. Too many people call it a video game and the instructors are not too fond of it.

Prepare for the permit before you get here. You said you did, so great job! You're ahead of 90% of the class. Tomorrow is the last day of orientation for my class and a bunch of people still have to go to the DMV tomorrow morning to try to pass the thing. If you've studied it will be a breeze and you'll have more time to work on other things. I've had more free time not having to cram then most of my class mates.

There are computer modules that need to be knocked out. Don't save them for the last day. They are long and boring and you don't want to cram 3-4 hours of it into one day. Spread it out.

Finally, have fun. You'll meet a bunch of people from all walks of life and all ages. I'm 21 and I'm on pretty good terms with every one. It's fun to get to know all of these new people.

Good luck and do great! (Also, in the event that you have high blood pressure like me: Eat a bunch of bananas before you go into the medical screen. I failed twice and this morning ate 5 bananas plus a lot of water and I passed that portion.)

That's awesome. I actually started at prime on Monday (6/29/15). It's been fun so far.

Some tips that I've noticed so far, being that my week was cut early for the fourth of July and ends tomorrow on 7/2/15.

Take the simulator seriously. Too many people call it a video game and the instructors are not too fond of it.

Prepare for the permit before you get here. You said you did, so great job! You're ahead of 90% of the class. Tomorrow is the last day of orientation for my class and a bunch of people still have to go to the DMV tomorrow morning to try to pass the thing. If you've studied it will be a breeze and you'll have more time to work on other things. I've had more free time not having to cram then most of my class mates.

There are computer modules that need to be knocked out. Don't save them for the last day. They are long and boring and you don't want to cram 3-4 hours of it into one day. Spread it out.

Finally, have fun. You'll meet a bunch of people from all walks of life and all ages. I'm 21 and I'm on pretty good terms with every one. It's fun to get to know all of these new people.

Good luck and do great! (Also, in the event that you have high blood pressure like me: Eat a bunch of bananas before you go into the medical screen. I failed twice and this morning ate 5 bananas plus a lot of water and I passed that portion.)

Hey man, thanks for the current information.

I leave Friday night!

Awesome! Keep us updated and just follow all the advice you've gotten here. Pick yourself a good trainer for TNT and you'll have less issues hopefully. Good luck!

Awesome! Keep us updated and just follow all the advice you've gotten here. Pick yourself a good trainer for TNT and you'll have less issues hopefully. Good luck!

Thank you for the advice.

Trying to get through all 118pgs of the training material here. I have to say is very well done to reinforce everything one needs to know.

I'll keep this thread updated.

I was wondering does everyone have to take the sleep apnea test or only people with their BMI out of healthy range?

The only thing I am not looking forward to is the 28hr Greyhound ride.

Things I'm concerned about are: The TNT..Living in close quarters with another bloke for, how many weeks?

The maneuverability test. Parallel parking (blindside), offset parking, and 90 degree docking.

Overall, I think everything will be fine.

Very excited! This may sound corny, but the thing I can't wait for the most, is to get my truck, and my first CB radio! Ha!

I'm 43yrs old, and I've wanted one of the damn things since Smokey and the Bandit. I understand now, the airwaves are filled with hate and filth, but that seems to be all forms of mass communication these days, ie. the internet, online gaming etc.

I've done a ton of research, and am ready to pass the CDL permit, and necessary endorsements.

Also, Daniel B's one month adventure, was very addicting, and I thank you. The snowy mountain driving reminded me of my home town of Cleveland. No mountains, but plenty of change in elevation with blizzard conditions. I know what sliding and tires braking away feels, like, and do not look forward to that in an eighteen wheeler.

Anyway, I'm so excited, and friends and family can't relate, so thanks for this forum as well.

Peace!

The grey dawg isn't much fun but at least it's a lot more comfortable than it used to be. The Wi-Fi works great. Wishing you all of the best.

The grey dawg isn't much fun but at least it's a lot more comfortable than it used to be. The Wi-Fi works great. Wishing you all of the best.

Thanks!

WIFI? Are you saying there is WIFI on the BUS?!?

What about power outlets for devices?

If not I'm prepared to go ole' school, and read a (gasp) book!

I see we can't edit our posts?

Check the following distance of vehicles around you and match what they are doing to keep uniformity in the driving pattern.

This is given as a correct answer to following distance determination in the study guide here.

This can't be right.

Quote From The CDL Manual:

To know how much space you have, wait until the vehicle ahead passes a shadow on the road, a pavement marking, or some other clear landmark. Then count off the seconds like this: "one thousand-and-one, one thousand-and-two" and so on, until you reach the same spot.

Compare your count with the rule of 1 second for every 10 feet of length. If you are driving a 40-foot truck and only counted up to 2 seconds, you are too close. Drop back a little and count again until you have 4 seconds of following distance (or 5 seconds, if you are going over 40 mph).

Check the following distance of vehicles around you and match what they are doing to keep uniformity in the driving pattern.

This is given as a correct answer to following distance determination in the study guide here.

This can't be right.

Quote From The CDL Manual:

To know how much space you have, wait until the vehicle ahead passes a shadow on the road, a pavement marking, or some other clear landmark. Then count off the seconds like this: "one thousand-and-one, one thousand-and-two" and so on, until you reach the same spot.

Compare your count with the rule of 1 second for every 10 feet of length. If you are driving a 40-foot truck and only counted up to 2 seconds, you are too close. Drop back a little and count again until you have 4 seconds of following distance (or 5 seconds, if you are going over 40 mph).

Your progress has been temporarily halted because you are 0 for 2 on question #90.