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The biggest difference between school and the "real world"

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Tre81, Aug 2, 2010.

  1. Aug 2, 2010 #1
    Tre81

    Tre81 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 10, 2007
    Jacksonville, FL
    0
    I've been reading nearly all of the threads in the newbie forum and it seems like everybody always says that they learned more in the first week with their trainer than they did in their entire school training period. So with that said, what were some "AHA" moments you had the first few weeks with your trainer? What aspects did you struggle the most with? Is this industry more difficult than you thought or was it about what you expected? I'm hoping to get some good feedback on this one guys, so let it fly!
     
    Tre81, Aug 2, 2010
    Tre81, Aug 2, 2010
    #1
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  3. Aug 3, 2010 #2
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    I always told my students, "Whatever you think trucking is, it isn't". One really good "Ah Ha" moment is finishing up with a 14 hour day and 600 miles and wanting a meal and shower, but you're so tired all you can do is crawl into the sleeper.
     
    Allow Me., Aug 3, 2010
    Allow Me., Aug 3, 2010
    #2
  4. Aug 3, 2010 #3
    fulgrwnmn

    fulgrwnmn Light Load Member

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    Sep 17, 2008
    whitehouse,oh
    0
    Your Ah ha ha ha moment will be, that both of them just ran you through the paces, all your real ah ha moments will come from you.........after you learned the hard way.
     
    fulgrwnmn, Aug 3, 2010
    fulgrwnmn, Aug 3, 2010
    #3
  5. Aug 3, 2010 #4
    wsyrob

    wsyrob Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Sep 14, 2007
    Winston Salem
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    One of the biggest differences between school and the real world is there is always an empty hole to put the truck in when you are in school practicing. One of the harder things for us newbies is knowing when you need to be at a truck stop to still be able to find parking. Few things are more frustrating than being tired, almost out of hours, and having to go from truck stop to truck stop hunting for a place to sleep.
     
    wsyrob, Aug 3, 2010
    wsyrob, Aug 3, 2010
    #4
  7. Aug 3, 2010 #5
    chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    Jun 21, 2008
    Deland, FL
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    wsyrob, that is definitely a good one! Not only that but you have many eyes watching upon you to make your mistakes! This is also the time that you will be at your absolute worst in backing confidence. You also know there's no way in hell you are getting out to look whats behind you. Go ahead pull in nose first like you see some of the other drivers! That will work but chances are you will have to wait till the truck stop empties the next morning!
    I think my "aha" was learning to float with the trainer. Also you don't get any practice on scales when you are in school. Some of those old scales can be tight! Oh yeah one other thing, I am from Florida and we did not get any winter driving in school. Nor do we have any mountains. Hell, we don't even have enough hills to make the jake work!
    Good post TRE81
     
    chompi, Aug 3, 2010
    chompi, Aug 3, 2010
    #5
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