Well I passed my skills and road test today with no problems at all. Pretty much ace'd everything. When I first took off on the road test my fist shift was a bit jerky but it was pretty smooth after that. We had some really high winds today to the ride was pretty shakey but I held it in the road. The examiner was concerned about the high winds but we went anyway.

When I did the pre trip the wind was blowning real hard and I got dirt in my eyes and mouth as well as the examiner. She was really rushing me to get it done fast but I took my time. I told her I needed to do it right and she held on for dear life. I let her stand close to me to block the wind from her and she was happy. When I left home this morning the wind was sustained at 25 mph and we had gust up to 45 at the airport and thats where the school is. Two other people got there CDL as well. I got there at 8am and we were all done about 4pm.

Next step is to get to orientation at Swift which I plan to schedule for next Monday. Looking forward to hitting the road. I am going to Jackson, MS in the morning with one of the instructors to pick up a brand new truck to bring back for school. I plan on driving back in the new rig.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Marty

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mArTmAn
Greenville, MS USA

Congrads on passing the road test. Now the real work begins! Hope u get a good trainer with Swift. Just stay prayerful and keep your head up, and you'll do fine.

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LOL sorry my man but passing the skills test and getting that commercial drivers license don't make you a "professional"

Let me start by saying congratulations for passing..

But what makes you a professional is the up coming decisions you will make out on the road everyday, that's what will make you a professional.

Don't think I am hounding on you here but decision making is what this is all about, and what makes you a safe driver, thus making you a professional.

Good luck! be safe and remember everyday is a learning day and everyday will be different.

You said it quite well!



And for the thread starter I'm sorry you felt compelled to go with Swift. Good luck in having any desire to still drive after they get done with you.

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MartMan - Congrats on getting your CDL. Sounds like you did well testing under the windy conditions.


Main Entry: 1pro·fes·sion·al
Pronunciation: pr&-'fesh-n&l, -'fe-sh&-n&l
Function: adjective
1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. b : engaged in one of the learned [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace
2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer> b : having a particular [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. as a permanent career <a professional soldier> c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return <professional football>

According to the definition above, you are indeed a professional. And like any other new professional, you will improve with experience.


I just got my CDL on the 23rd. My certificate says I am a professional, but I think I will call myself an amateur untill I start bringing in a paycheck.

Good for you Marty! Glad to hear you did well on on the examination, and good luck at Swift. It seems to me you have a good attitude, and I find most posative attributes are rooted there. You are indeed a professional driver now, and I can't understand how anyone would try to take that away from you. What you are is in-experienced, but that will change in a hurry. There is no substitute for experience, this is obvious. But I feel professionalism begins with attitude, which affects decission making, and ultimatly performance. So take pride in your accomplishment. I trust I speak for everyone when I say you have our respect, and well wishes.

Congratulations, Marty! I am so pleased for you... and especially since you didn't make any excuses for the wind. You'll encounter that in your travels, and having tested under those conditions, it's another notch of experience in your belt. You're gonna be just fine!

Keep us posted, okay? And you know us -- we like DETAILS! LOL

Happy driving... and stay safe, okay?

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"Not all who wander are lost."
... JRR Tolkien

CONGRATS Marty!

May you have many MILES of SAFE and HAPPY driving!

Congrats!!!! Be safe out there. Happy to hear the success stories.

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RIP Steve McNair you will be missed

congradulations marty and pay no mind to jo and brick. your a professional now. good luck out there and keep it between the lines. if you have any questions out there you just gotta ask. remeber the only stupid question is a question not asked.