Day 15,
Well dang it. I was on my way to school when I reached the outer road it's on when I see one of the teachers and a couple of service vehicles blocking the road. I guess the road was really flooded and she had to be pulled out by the fire department. She is ok but her vehicle wasn't starting. The other teacher turned us around and said we had the day off. It's been raining here like crazy and it's flooding everywhere so I am not too surprised. The bummer is I miss out on some truck time and the recruiter from CFI was supposed to show up today.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Day 14
Day 14
Instead of class at 8am I went to the DMV and got my hazmat written test done. Only missed one question. So when I have my CDL-A I will have tanker, doubles, triples, and Hazmat endorsements. Yay me!! Went to class everyone was on the range. After some backing exercises we wnt on the road. Went over the areas where the DOT will test us on our raod course. Pulling the trailer around is not a problem with me but I still need to get my down shifting down and control my speed around turns when I don't have to stop. Like a rolling right turn etc. After a quick meal on the road we went back to the range. It was my turn on the pretrip and I did ok. Conway/CFI will have a recruiter tomorrow so I am curious about that. CFI is one of the companies I am looking at. Looks like tomorrow I will experience the big rig in the rain. Until next time....
Instead of class at 8am I went to the DMV and got my hazmat written test done. Only missed one question. So when I have my CDL-A I will have tanker, doubles, triples, and Hazmat endorsements. Yay me!! Went to class everyone was on the range. After some backing exercises we wnt on the road. Went over the areas where the DOT will test us on our raod course. Pulling the trailer around is not a problem with me but I still need to get my down shifting down and control my speed around turns when I don't have to stop. Like a rolling right turn etc. After a quick meal on the road we went back to the range. It was my turn on the pretrip and I did ok. Conway/CFI will have a recruiter tomorrow so I am curious about that. CFI is one of the companies I am looking at. Looks like tomorrow I will experience the big rig in the rain. Until next time....
Day 13
Day 13,
A day late but just got my internet back on. Went to class yesterday at 1pm. We went in later to experience night driving. Did pretrip and then we did some backing practice. Also did some blindside alley docking. At about dusk we got in the truck and headed for Lebanon, MO. Didn't do much in town driving. On the highway I am doing well. My downshifts are getting more consistant. The important part is plan ahead and not panic if you screw up. If you miss a gear, control the truck and rpms and find the gear. I am sure shifting will be easier once one can float the gears. Something I have noticed. Today and yesterday I have been on a stretch of about 200 miles of I44. (I went to Joplin in my minivan tonight) A couple of jobs (nondriving) a couple of years ago had me on I44 all the time so I would see a lot of trucking companies. It seems like I wasn't seeing the same ones as I used to. Sure there was the usuals CFI, Prime, Schneider, swift, Werner, Covenant, but I saw a lot that I haven't seen or heard of much. I also snagged a trucking magazine and saw all kinds of companies that were new to me. I wondered why that was.Well Monday I am going to the DMV before class to get my Hazmat written out of the way. Til next time
A day late but just got my internet back on. Went to class yesterday at 1pm. We went in later to experience night driving. Did pretrip and then we did some backing practice. Also did some blindside alley docking. At about dusk we got in the truck and headed for Lebanon, MO. Didn't do much in town driving. On the highway I am doing well. My downshifts are getting more consistant. The important part is plan ahead and not panic if you screw up. If you miss a gear, control the truck and rpms and find the gear. I am sure shifting will be easier once one can float the gears. Something I have noticed. Today and yesterday I have been on a stretch of about 200 miles of I44. (I went to Joplin in my minivan tonight) A couple of jobs (nondriving) a couple of years ago had me on I44 all the time so I would see a lot of trucking companies. It seems like I wasn't seeing the same ones as I used to. Sure there was the usuals CFI, Prime, Schneider, swift, Werner, Covenant, but I saw a lot that I haven't seen or heard of much. I also snagged a trucking magazine and saw all kinds of companies that were new to me. I wondered why that was.Well Monday I am going to the DMV before class to get my Hazmat written out of the way. Til next time
Day 12
Day 12 -
This day went quick! This morning a student did her pretrip. It took awhile. A recruiter from Transland came by and gave us her presentation. From what I have heard locally and from our instructors I will be giving them an app. After the recruiter time we finished the pretrip and went on the range to do some last minute shifting practice. The instructor announced that we would be on the road after lunch. Woo Hoo!! During lunch the instructor needed to get fuel so I went with him to kind of see how he shifted on the real road. It payed off. I was the first one to drive out in our group. We basically went down to Lebanon and back. When we came back we did some skills test exercises. My set ups are getting better. Tomorrow Class starts late. We are doing some night driving. Gives me a chance to do some errands and maybe take my Haz mat test.
This day went quick! This morning a student did her pretrip. It took awhile. A recruiter from Transland came by and gave us her presentation. From what I have heard locally and from our instructors I will be giving them an app. After the recruiter time we finished the pretrip and went on the range to do some last minute shifting practice. The instructor announced that we would be on the road after lunch. Woo Hoo!! During lunch the instructor needed to get fuel so I went with him to kind of see how he shifted on the real road. It payed off. I was the first one to drive out in our group. We basically went down to Lebanon and back. When we came back we did some skills test exercises. My set ups are getting better. Tomorrow Class starts late. We are doing some night driving. Gives me a chance to do some errands and maybe take my Haz mat test.
Day 11
Day 11,
Got some major range time today. All is going well. The instructor may have started to lose patience with another student today. Don't get me wrong, the teacher is EXTREMELY patient but he seemed to get a little frustrated towards the end of the day with her. He thinks we can be on the road tomorrow. (Maybe)We were also told that testing wouldn't be until April 2nd or 3rd. The students in the second truck got to go on the road for the first time. One thing I would like to mention. Every now and then while watching the others I get to thinking. Trucking has all these hurdles. First you have school, then testing, then applications, then orientation to a company, then the company's screening process, then their road test, then their training, then if you are lucky and don't screw up you become a driver. And then you hope the company is good because you want to stick with them for a year at least to learn the ropes. Not to mention all the changes that have to be made at home and how it affects my family and such. Sometimes I think it's a huge weight on one's shoulders. But then I remind myself this is a major change, probably the boldest move of my life. I just hope I get to the other side.
Got some major range time today. All is going well. The instructor may have started to lose patience with another student today. Don't get me wrong, the teacher is EXTREMELY patient but he seemed to get a little frustrated towards the end of the day with her. He thinks we can be on the road tomorrow. (Maybe)We were also told that testing wouldn't be until April 2nd or 3rd. The students in the second truck got to go on the road for the first time. One thing I would like to mention. Every now and then while watching the others I get to thinking. Trucking has all these hurdles. First you have school, then testing, then applications, then orientation to a company, then the company's screening process, then their road test, then their training, then if you are lucky and don't screw up you become a driver. And then you hope the company is good because you want to stick with them for a year at least to learn the ropes. Not to mention all the changes that have to be made at home and how it affects my family and such. Sometimes I think it's a huge weight on one's shoulders. But then I remind myself this is a major change, probably the boldest move of my life. I just hope I get to the other side.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Day 10
Day 10
I got the keys first this morning. I found out that a cold truck is a pain in the behind to shift. Nailed all the exercises right off the bat. Later I went into trial and error mode with my setups. I am starting to get beyond the basics of controlling the trailer. After lunch we went to the classroom for a couple of hours of Lifestyle and finance. Here is where they teach you how to be healthy and not make your self broke on the road. LOTS of good advice. We will probably get on the range full time tomorrow so we can be on the road by Thursday. Some of us are ready, others aren't. Me....I think so.
I got the keys first this morning. I found out that a cold truck is a pain in the behind to shift. Nailed all the exercises right off the bat. Later I went into trial and error mode with my setups. I am starting to get beyond the basics of controlling the trailer. After lunch we went to the classroom for a couple of hours of Lifestyle and finance. Here is where they teach you how to be healthy and not make your self broke on the road. LOTS of good advice. We will probably get on the range full time tomorrow so we can be on the road by Thursday. Some of us are ready, others aren't. Me....I think so.
Day 9
Day 9 -
Well everyone seemed off their rythm for the first hour on the range. But we got into it at did more of the same. More shifting, Up and down, alley dock, driver's side pararel, straight line backing, and now we started blindside pararel. Alley dock I just need a few more times and I will have it. The two pararels I am doing good on. It's just a matter of how well I set up. Straight line backing is no problem. I even did some backing between two trailers. My shifting is getting better. Our intstructor use to drive tankers so he is all about smooth shifting and smooth take-offs and and stops. The companies he worked for don't usuualy hire newbies but on his recomendations they will hire out of his class. Good companies so I am trying to atleast impress this instructor.Now for the fun part. We got a visit from our first recruiter. He was from Covenant. He had some good things to say BUT he was trying to hard to have this "no BS approach". His approach only came off as arrogance to me anyways. Thanks to a thread in this board "Questions to ask recruiters" I made a few that seemed to annoy him. I think my instructors got a kick out of that. well I got get ready for today, I will go into more detail later.
Well everyone seemed off their rythm for the first hour on the range. But we got into it at did more of the same. More shifting, Up and down, alley dock, driver's side pararel, straight line backing, and now we started blindside pararel. Alley dock I just need a few more times and I will have it. The two pararels I am doing good on. It's just a matter of how well I set up. Straight line backing is no problem. I even did some backing between two trailers. My shifting is getting better. Our intstructor use to drive tankers so he is all about smooth shifting and smooth take-offs and and stops. The companies he worked for don't usuualy hire newbies but on his recomendations they will hire out of his class. Good companies so I am trying to atleast impress this instructor.Now for the fun part. We got a visit from our first recruiter. He was from Covenant. He had some good things to say BUT he was trying to hard to have this "no BS approach". His approach only came off as arrogance to me anyways. Thanks to a thread in this board "Questions to ask recruiters" I made a few that seemed to annoy him. I think my instructors got a kick out of that. well I got get ready for today, I will go into more detail later.
Day 8
Day 8.
Started with a different instructor. With everyone whining how much better the International was I volunteered to go in the frieghtliner. It's a good old truck. I will probably stick in this one. Since less people can ride in it I get more time behind the wheel. The instructor with the Frieghtliner lets us do longer laps. BTW ALL the instructors here are seasoned trucking veterans. No newbies training newbies here. We get taught stuff for the "test" world AND the "real" world. The Freightliner shifts smoother and I am getting used to backing it. Today we did the laps around the range. I am getting more comfortable with downshifting. We did more alley docking. I'm nailing it almost everytime now. We started Driver's side pararel parking today. Nailed it both the first and second times. Monday can't come soon enough. Starting next week we will be getting recruiters coming in and we might hit the open road OFF the range. Watch out!!
Started with a different instructor. With everyone whining how much better the International was I volunteered to go in the frieghtliner. It's a good old truck. I will probably stick in this one. Since less people can ride in it I get more time behind the wheel. The instructor with the Frieghtliner lets us do longer laps. BTW ALL the instructors here are seasoned trucking veterans. No newbies training newbies here. We get taught stuff for the "test" world AND the "real" world. The Freightliner shifts smoother and I am getting used to backing it. Today we did the laps around the range. I am getting more comfortable with downshifting. We did more alley docking. I'm nailing it almost everytime now. We started Driver's side pararel parking today. Nailed it both the first and second times. Monday can't come soon enough. Starting next week we will be getting recruiters coming in and we might hit the open road OFF the range. Watch out!!
Day 7
Day 7 -
We started the morning with Pre-trip. The first student that went did real good. It was COLD. Windchill had to be in the teens. During pretrip we found a powersteering leak. A hose was broken. The freightliner drivers got on the range and we had to go back to the class. After standing out in the cold for an hour I was happy to go inside. A mechanic came and took the international and we worked on mapping and miles. A local guy who hand makes these tools came by and sold each student a device called Truckr-Tool. It's a fith wheel pin puller, tire thumper, hammer, chisel and can aid in the tie down straps if needed. It's pretty cool. The teachers used one on their trucks and showed us the tool. seemed pretty handy to have so I got one. After lunch our group got in the Freightliner and practiced more of the same. On our alley dock we get two turns. It never fails, I nail the first one then I botch the second one. I can get the truck in there I just don't understand why yet. Double cluching is now second nature and my downshifting is getting smoother. I am getting to the point that it doesn't matter what truck I am in I will be able to drive it comfortably. Defintely taking my pretrip on the International. Now I am off to get dressed to go for today.
We started the morning with Pre-trip. The first student that went did real good. It was COLD. Windchill had to be in the teens. During pretrip we found a powersteering leak. A hose was broken. The freightliner drivers got on the range and we had to go back to the class. After standing out in the cold for an hour I was happy to go inside. A mechanic came and took the international and we worked on mapping and miles. A local guy who hand makes these tools came by and sold each student a device called Truckr-Tool. It's a fith wheel pin puller, tire thumper, hammer, chisel and can aid in the tie down straps if needed. It's pretty cool. The teachers used one on their trucks and showed us the tool. seemed pretty handy to have so I got one. After lunch our group got in the Freightliner and practiced more of the same. On our alley dock we get two turns. It never fails, I nail the first one then I botch the second one. I can get the truck in there I just don't understand why yet. Double cluching is now second nature and my downshifting is getting smoother. I am getting to the point that it doesn't matter what truck I am in I will be able to drive it comfortably. Defintely taking my pretrip on the International. Now I am off to get dressed to go for today.
Day 6
Day 6:
Range time this morning was shifting up, downshifting, and straight backing into a dock after an S turn. This was to teach us to set up good before you even start backing. After lunch we went over pre-trip inspection and did alley dock from the side. It's all how one sets up. There were times it was easy and there were moments I struggled. I wish I had more time behind the wheel but sharing with three others isn't too bad. The other three are in the other truck. I am prefering the International. The clutch seems to be smoother on it. I am actually double clutching on downshifting without thinking about it. I bet everything is easier when it's second nature. One girl didn't know how to drive a standard until now. I say she is better off because she doesn't have the four wheeler bad habits of shifting.One thing I am NOT looking forward to is the Pretrip portion of the test. I had to do it last year for the class B schoolbus test now I get to do it all over again with more stuff to remember than last time. I am wondering when I should take the written for my hazmat. We go to the DOT to test on March 27th and 28th. I wanna time it so I can just put it on my CDL when everything else is done.
Range time this morning was shifting up, downshifting, and straight backing into a dock after an S turn. This was to teach us to set up good before you even start backing. After lunch we went over pre-trip inspection and did alley dock from the side. It's all how one sets up. There were times it was easy and there were moments I struggled. I wish I had more time behind the wheel but sharing with three others isn't too bad. The other three are in the other truck. I am prefering the International. The clutch seems to be smoother on it. I am actually double clutching on downshifting without thinking about it. I bet everything is easier when it's second nature. One girl didn't know how to drive a standard until now. I say she is better off because she doesn't have the four wheeler bad habits of shifting.One thing I am NOT looking forward to is the Pretrip portion of the test. I had to do it last year for the class B schoolbus test now I get to do it all over again with more stuff to remember than last time. I am wondering when I should take the written for my hazmat. We go to the DOT to test on March 27th and 28th. I wanna time it so I can just put it on my CDL when everything else is done.
Day 5
Day 5......nothing! School was cancelled due to snow. Springfield has got about 5 inches of snow. The amounts are worse the further east on I44 you go. Coincidently westbound was backed up due to a jackknifed truck. Oh and those of you traveling on US65 wave hello as you go by the school in Ozark, MO. Until next time....
Day 4
Day 4:
Today the rest of the students who didn't pass their written exams friday redid their tests and came back. Since they passed today everyone is on the same page. Because of this me and two other students got more drive time behind the wheel. We stayed on the range and practiced shifting up, stops and starts, and backing straight line. We went over log books and started the learning process of recording everything on a driver's log book. My instructor says I am doing well just gotta be smoother on the clutch. (still have my four wheeler habits). We have a couple of s turns on the range. I'm doing well on those. On my straightline backing I have to think opposite of my schoolbus. Seeing something long in my mirror backing up is not new but it being "hinged" is. It basically makes everything opposite of what I am used to in steering. If the trailer in the left hand mirror goes one way you steer that direction. In a bus or straight truck it's different. Oh well. I did ok but need a little practice. Today we were dismissed early on account of the sleet and snow. It was 78 degrees yesterday, today it's like 25 degrees. I guess they didn't want a bunch of amatuers playing with 18 wheelers on the ice. LOL
Today the rest of the students who didn't pass their written exams friday redid their tests and came back. Since they passed today everyone is on the same page. Because of this me and two other students got more drive time behind the wheel. We stayed on the range and practiced shifting up, stops and starts, and backing straight line. We went over log books and started the learning process of recording everything on a driver's log book. My instructor says I am doing well just gotta be smoother on the clutch. (still have my four wheeler habits). We have a couple of s turns on the range. I'm doing well on those. On my straightline backing I have to think opposite of my schoolbus. Seeing something long in my mirror backing up is not new but it being "hinged" is. It basically makes everything opposite of what I am used to in steering. If the trailer in the left hand mirror goes one way you steer that direction. In a bus or straight truck it's different. Oh well. I did ok but need a little practice. Today we were dismissed early on account of the sleet and snow. It was 78 degrees yesterday, today it's like 25 degrees. I guess they didn't want a bunch of amatuers playing with 18 wheelers on the ice. LOL
Day 3
Day 3:
I woke up and got online to take some practice cdl tests. I only need Combination Vehicles where as the rest of the class (about 7 of us) needed Gen know, and aibrakes as well. Since I only needed one I did some last minute studying for Tankers and doubles.. So this morning we all met at the dmv and tested. Half failed half passed I passed and got my endorsements as well. I will try Hazmat next week when I have more time to study. Those of us who made it through went back to the school and we got to drive the range. After dreaming about it since I was five years old I finally got to drive a big rig. It's a 97 Freightliner donated by Trailiner. While it was just around the range it felt good. I can't wait til Monday.
I woke up and got online to take some practice cdl tests. I only need Combination Vehicles where as the rest of the class (about 7 of us) needed Gen know, and aibrakes as well. Since I only needed one I did some last minute studying for Tankers and doubles.. So this morning we all met at the dmv and tested. Half failed half passed I passed and got my endorsements as well. I will try Hazmat next week when I have more time to study. Those of us who made it through went back to the school and we got to drive the range. After dreaming about it since I was five years old I finally got to drive a big rig. It's a 97 Freightliner donated by Trailiner. While it was just around the range it felt good. I can't wait til Monday.
Day 2
Day 2,
We went over airbrakes and combination vehicles. Got outside to look at the 5th wheel assembly. During lunch I got inside the truck and looked around. The truck desperately needs TMT to fix a few things. LOL The school has a 97 frieghtliner and a 97 international. Tomorrow all the students go to the DMV to get permits, have lunch and then start driving. Woo Hoo!
We went over airbrakes and combination vehicles. Got outside to look at the 5th wheel assembly. During lunch I got inside the truck and looked around. The truck desperately needs TMT to fix a few things. LOL The school has a 97 frieghtliner and a 97 international. Tomorrow all the students go to the DMV to get permits, have lunch and then start driving. Woo Hoo!
Day 1,
Well I have finally started school today. I am going to OTC here in the good ole ozarks. It's a new program and looks very promising. My background is last year I became a class b holder and started driving a schoolbus. Job is great. The money is not. So after a lifetime dream and being a son of a driver I have taken the plunge. For the last year I have been living at this website and have learned a lot. It showed today at school. Today we went over the CDL book on General knowledge. Tomorrow is airbrakes and combination. I only need the combination since I already have a class b with airbrakes. Friday we get our permits then we get to drive. I can't wait. I will be posting my daily events for the other newbies to read on and whoever might be entertained by them.
Well I have finally started school today. I am going to OTC here in the good ole ozarks. It's a new program and looks very promising. My background is last year I became a class b holder and started driving a schoolbus. Job is great. The money is not. So after a lifetime dream and being a son of a driver I have taken the plunge. For the last year I have been living at this website and have learned a lot. It showed today at school. Today we went over the CDL book on General knowledge. Tomorrow is airbrakes and combination. I only need the combination since I already have a class b with airbrakes. Friday we get our permits then we get to drive. I can't wait. I will be posting my daily events for the other newbies to read on and whoever might be entertained by them.
Introduction
Well after dreaming about it for years I have decided with the blessings of my family to start training for a trucking carreer. It is something I have wanted to do since I was five years old. My father did it and I have great memories of crossing the country with him in his old Peterbilt cab over. So here is my journal of my adventures during trucking school. I will post as much as I can and will keep everyone updated as best as I can.
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