driving school

It will come together. Backing is one of the hardest things about driving a big truck. Just keep at it. It will 'click' for you soon!

thanks for your vote of confidence! just what i really needed to hear from someone. in time, i can do it. but we only have the week of backing, then the road. not really enough time to learn the backing skills for the cdl exam. the road part of it, doesnt concern me at all since i have pulled some 40-45' trls in the recent past. the thing that concerns me is the instructors lack of energy when it comes to helping me. again thanks

on the road is when you will get some real backing experience i am assuming.never attended a school but surely they make you drive in an everyday type enviroment which should include backing into a dock between trailers(easier than the cones I bet!) and in and out of truckstop parking since you will be parking in them at some point.
My first load had me asking another driver to back to the dock for me.I was in a F/L cabover that would fly but had no power steering.I learned quickly and appreciate that one driver NOT laughing at me as he too had a bit of difficulty but got it in for me.But anyways-
you will be backing well and not even realize it as it tends to come after repetition.you'll be fine,will do well and one day will wonder at what point did all of this fall into place? At that time you should ask yourself about the anxiety you felt yet left somewhere.That moment will be as you realize that you are multitasking and it is all a smooth and fluid like movement on your behalf.
maintain the beyond positive attitude that you seemingly possess and it will all fall into place.

i know that the real backing experience comes on the road. i just need to be able to do the skills course to pass the cdl exam. while we do drive in an everyday enviroment, we wont be backing between trls or paralell parking at the trk stop. during skills exam its yellow lines and cones. when i told my instructor that i equated the lines and cones as trls, i was told not to, think of them as lines and cones. i know why we have the areas to back into since ive been involved in trucking but my classmates dont have a clue about trls and what they are going to encounter at a dock. there were only 2 of us who had ever been in a tractor/trl. surprise surprise lol thanks for your positive comments, they really do help. do you need a co-driver LOL thanks again

almost forgot... let it go on the record... i have not gone over any lines nor have i killed a cone.

let it go on the record? no need to elaborate but from that i gathered that you came out of a trucking company office and/or management. that's cool because if i am correct,you will never look at driving and office work the same. four walls or windows that don't move along w/you have become a thing of the past.WELCOME to the other side of the tracks.stricktly complimentary naturally.my background is a 180 as well,so much so that i forget sometimes where i was and how i got here.I have no idea how to properly phrase that.using "equate" and "encounter" in your reply told on you too.but anyways.
I thought about your instructor suggesting that you only think of the lines and cones as just that-lines and cones.Purged really deep thought.I can only imagine he did because it is indeed more difficult to back when you have a wide open area and not a couple of trls to back between.I am prob wrong but that is the best answer derived from my well gone mind.Perhaps you can post up after you have graduated and gone your thoughts on that topic.Backing across some wide open place can be done quickly but that placing it between the lines has proven to be a task in the past.For me at least.That is my point though-it all becomes routine and to think about it actually slows you down.You just do it.Smooth and fluid like.
I am interested in your progress as i have never really typed (talked)with a student type driver-they never have a radio on.HAHAHA
Keep us posted please.Thanks.

Thanks for bringing equate and encounter to my attention, I'll try not to use them anymore. LOL When you used the word "purged" you gave yourself away too. Yes, I have done almost everything in trucking but legally drive a trk/trl. Hadn't been captured by the four walls for a number of years but understand what you're saying. I've gone on many a trip and been a "go forward" driver only. The person I was with could back through the eye of a needle. I regret not having him teach me all he could when he was able. I would have been otr many years ago. Your comment about backing in a wide area is correct. The first day of backing we had to back a straight line of 1200' faded line and few cones. One pullup allowed. There was four of us, we about all fainted. One guy quit that day. They told me that if I couldnt do the skills backing I could always drive a dump trk, cement mixer or a bus. Told him that I didnt want to drive any of those. Failure to do this was not an option and it wont be. I had to pay for the course with my hard earned money. Couldn't get any grants since I am not a "displaced worker" I am the only one in the class paying their own way. Round trip drive of 3 hrs. Gives a person time to reflect upon choices and listen to a pretrip cd. Haha. You won't see many things about school until March since I won't be taking the skills or driving again until then. However, I can keep all of you updated and amused with my own skills course setup and using a pickup and 40' trl. That should bring a smile to your face. LOL. Don't think I don't look at most of this with a huge amount of humor, cause I do. BTW, who do you drive for?

just whom do i drive for? I am not.I've done a bit of fill in and under the table but times are tight.I came off of the road right after my dad was killed and then shortly after that, my mother was diagnosed w/dementia.SO.Lots of things hit me at one time.The time off has done its job and my savings are dwindling.
I am looking to lease,buy, or drive for someone.I have never been a big company type,the economy has pratically tanked,and I am at that point in life that this decision is hopefully my last major one.For a while anyway.
This site has allowed me to spend much time searching for and reading about that elusive/perfect lease purchase.i have searched for that right company job.Don't see it with the road speed out there.I can't run 65.Nor can I run 68.70 would suck.Yeah i have been spoiled and the company I was with for a few years went out of business June 14,2008.That is a whole novel by itself regarding me and that company as separate entities. Suffice it to say that I know my likes and that which I am unable to tolerate. I finally have the means but scared to death to capitilize.Soon though as all is almost set up for my mom.
so.keep us abreast of your current dealings,underdealings,misdealings, and all that fun stuff.
I type too much.

you dont type too much LOL sorry to hear about your mother, i can relate. alzheimers here at my house. no one who hasnt seen it first hand can imagine what it is as you well know. if your money is running out you'd better get the sugar momma with a pre-nup search going a bit faster. if that fails, i hope you find the perfect lease deal and of course let me know where it is. we have freezing rain and ice here so that will curtail pulling that trl out on the road. cold i can take, ice no way. anyway, i am looking at all this with a huge amount of humor.

alzheimer's.that shi- sux. I have gone to several of the alzheimers' association care giver workshops just to enlighten me on what to expect,how to deal with,etc.You know about it seems.I am truly saddened to read of your situation just because of what it is and what it does.finally got my sisters involved,after 3 years,so I can now focus on me a bit more.thus far my mom is self sufficient up to no longer driving/memory really going quickly as of lately.she still lives alone.hope she always can.I guess this is not the place to share our alzheimer's stories/trials or i could really type.you too i'm sure.
I have been close to marriage a few times but either i woke up or she did and sometimes i think we both did.the pre-nup is kind of a joke but kind of not in today's climate.the sugar momma i welcome anytime.besides,if i had a sugar momma,i may have to focus on my racing more and no road.I mis the road almost more than i need a sugar momma.The happy median needs to be struck somehow.hahaha
sliding around makes you appreciate dry roads.i too enjoy the cold.
humor.thank goodness for it at times considering.
Oh I meant to type to you that a shorter trailer is more difficult to back than a longer one.But this you know.the challange is in need of surmounting and your won't fail attitude is refreshing.wow.review what i just typed.yeah that is lenghty.
post some news please when available.

Yup, we could both talk a lot about the memory issues but like you said this isnt the place to do it. Glad your sister is becoming involved. Was just kidding about the pre-nup but maybe you should consider it, would hate to hear that she rode away on your bike LOL Got a gooseneck horse trl so I know about the short wheelbase. The 40' trl is an enclosed car hauler with living quarters, AC and all the goodies. The last owners had bikes. I'll sell it when I get a driving job. Please dont think that I consider myself an expert on all of this, I truly don't and I welcome any and all suggestions.

you know,you drew me back w/that pre-nup and my bike comment.KUDOS. It is bikes,plural. & +. anyway,your warped sense of humor assures you of success.TOUCHE' on the crafty display.
did the last owners have dirtbikes? if so-keep the trailer-they call them "toyhaulers" and are actually good investments decked out as yours prob is.Besides,after driving a while,you may need the way to give yourself a good break from the biz for that ol' time out.
never considered you may be a know it all trucker.you are in a driving school afterall.hahaha yes,that was weak.
practice.Practice.Practice.all combined = CDL.I'd hate to start all over considering how the times have changed driving.I was just put in a truck because I had Class 5 Ga.,ducked going under the overpasses,and had to take dude i drove for to court to get about $400+/-.1986.left a bad taste so i drifted back to college,got out and turned driver.
use to run ga. to cali to ga. every week solo.yeah i know but anyway that was several years of my life that were a BLUR and why I couldn't settle on the 65-70 bit-jaded or calloused? I'll drive for a few cents less per mile and drive a truck. wouldn't trade a million bucks for that span as that was as the cdl was being implemented,got grandfathered in 1992(i think-company gave me a plauque for being an renegade basically)and drivers still physically stopped to check on a driver on the side of the road.Texas was 55mph. 12-15 picks for reefer in california for backhaul to ga.(carpet/textiles west-produce east).BLAH,BLAH,BLAH.
OK i'll cease.Memories.what would we do w/o 'em?
keep posting please.you trek is proving interesting.

when you've been in this industry as long as i have, you develop a sense of humor, warped or otherwise or you wont survive it. and, thank you, ill take any compliment that i can get. lol.
the trl was an enclosed car hauler that someone had living quarters etc put in so yes, its technically termed a toyhauler now. the orig. owners put a lot of money into it. i saw it on ebay, bid until i was scared i'd get it then quit. got a call after the auction saying that the guys who won the bid backed out, did i want it at my price? of course silly girl that i am, committed or should i say shoulda been committed? i am in ohio the trl is in ark. i worked out a deal with the guy, who was at a big dealership to have them check the lights, brakes and repack the bearings. trl was a repo and rough to say the least. by this time i've paid. couldnt find anyone to go on an adventure. lol. combined it with a trucking trade show in kc, this is late feb. 2008. went to p/u the trl, light plug isnt compatible with my trk. took the day to get it. idiots. tires are dry rotted from sitting. he says they will get me home. BS!!! reminded him i was alone. defenseless woman etc. he says its mine go to walmart. i go to walmart late fri. no trl tires, no trk tires, car tires yes. i say gimme 6. they say no we cant do that. i explain i hav been up since 4am, i am old, i am going to embarress them when i fall to the floor having a fit. i get car tires. pulls good, its rough. got it home. the guy at a dealership looks it over. no repacked bearings no brakes checked. the elec in trl does work, ac and heaters ok, however... the water tanks are cracked cant use shower, potty, sink. its got some other issues but i have learned to live with them. all over the outer body of the trl is "loudest sound on earth" etc. is that your type of bike? no leaks so thats a plus. pulls like a dream. elec dolly, etc. ramp and floor need a bit of work. but otherwise... so theres my trl story. did i mention it pulls good? i did get trl tires and traded the car tires for elec work in the back.

oh duh, i just saw the intl marriage sign. LMAO. talk about warped...

Thank you.I'll accept that as complimentary. I thought it was appropriate considering the topic. A delayed reaction is better than no reaction,type reaction dependent.
Loosely translated-no reaction has been known to speak volumes.

yes it has

correct me if i am wrong (i know you will LOL) we will continue to post back and forth this way until i have posted about 7,000,000 posts then i can send msges directly to you? i am new at this so i am just curious and asking. and God forbid i would read the rules etc. Haha.

nah,I am not into correcting especially when I have no idea.I am thinking that posting here does not qualify as a post toward that 7,000,000.I do not read the rules myself.But I will.
Did it cease the frozen rain? what kind of pressure does the brake chamber at the left front need to maintain? what is the mm of adjustment for the tandem brakes?
Damn if i know-just run them up and back them of a tad i reckon-

honey you done better than i did. i done great my first six months. then i went with swift, won't do that again, but i learned that to learn to back better, never take the easy route or hole when parking. go to the rear isles. and practice. the schooolong i got to get my cdl's didn't do dock parking. i always done good as long as they were straightline backing a few of the others but when i had to go across a street to back into my dock i literally froze. and damaged the oilpan by something that wasstationary in the road. they had the wrong dock blocked off. hehehehe. so it was preventable but not from me but the reciever., but still on my record.
find an old dock if possible and practice.
and by the way thanks fo comment earlier. and the company that wanted me to falsify my logs is a company called Specialized Express out of columbus, ohio. the guy who owns it used to own Artic Express before he ran it to ground and sold it out. should have investigated before going with them. mr heman, you do as i say or no job. me with low self-esteem and trying to make a living to take care of daughters put up with more than i should have and now he has had the last laugh so to speak of right now, until i get my dac back. whatever company you go for make sure you do a lot of research before deciding what company to drive for.

ok guys i'll give you a real big laugh. i have been driving for 3 yrs. had my cdls for 9. i have NEVER tried to back any type of trl other than the 48-53 ft types.
so my mom asks me to back the trl full of firewood to the storage door, he biggest mistake. i am trying to get this thing backed and broke her taillights on her van. since then i have been practicing with the wagon and the fourwheelers, where i should have started, but i am a late bloomer. really late. the only thing i done early was get pregnant, have kids. oh and become a grandma. i think i flunked sex ed. hehehehe. i din't get my license til i was 30 and my cdl's til i was 36. oops that is giving my age away, oh well soon to be 45 and loving it.