Life on life's terms: One persons journey.

We had 4 'holdbacks' join our class last week... as well as three from our class.
ALL OF THEM have no business operating a truck.

If in this perfect controlled and secluded range with nothing to pressure.. and everyone willing to help. Someone cannot get these basic maneuvers/backing skills... I just cannot figure out why they were allowed to pass.

The only thing I can figure, is that the school is just trying to get as much of that 4400 as possible... maybe attempting to throw it on DPS to weed them out next week??

As much time and importance the company placed on safety.. I cannot imagine for a minute that these folks would get trusted with a truck on their own. I really expected to see people getting busses back to the hotel to pack. It was mind blowing to see them happy as clams back in the classroom updating logs... getting ready to enjoy our weekend off.

 

I didn't word that last post very well.. I intended for it to be a question, or rather to gain some of your insight having completed the final week.

Just seems odd that folks who struggle still with the backing maneuvers.. more especially those that don't yet have a handle on straight line backing... would be allowed to advance.

At @$170 per day, or whatever the tution fees are.. just seems that the 'right' thing to do would be to let these guys know they don't have what it takes, and cut them loss. These guys are about to rack up another 3-5 days in tution expense.

Would you say you had a fairly decent grasp on most of the basic skills?

Would you agree that struggles with the basic skills indicate a high likelihood of failure going into the 'real world' road phase of training?

I am pretty curious about the situation... but really just trying to make conversation about the program.
Don't mean to sound critical.. its their program to run how they please. Its just puzzling after all the emphasis on safety, and being professional, serious and focused that was instilled during the first week.

I am still very impressed with the company and very happy things worked out for me to be here.


I also agree that handling these trucks is much more difficult than I anticipated. Straight line backing, had that figured out on my third attempt.
The other maneuvers... I would say took about 3-5 hours of practice to get the drill/rhythm/positioning down. And I still need plenty of practice to perfect the offset and parrellels.... I would assume that is something that can only come with time and experience.
The 90 dock... that just clicked for me. Its a lot of fun for me, I like that I can watch the bumper directly by looking out the window. I have that one nailed down pretty smooth and clean. I had to spend a couple of points on pull-ups with the offset, and about every third time I blind side park... I have to do a pull up.

Some of the things I am seeing from those few... trucks still getting pushed into jack knife, and confusion STILL on which way to turn the wheel in relation to guiding the trailor.

 

Well said.

In the end, we are on our own.
We can't base our success on others, or even worry about what they are doing - except to avoid them when they swerve into our lane.

The instructors are not there to mess with you, but to make you a good and safe driver.
Some instructors are better than others, just as some drivers.
The worst of both will weed themselves out in short order.

Our only concern is being the best that we can be, personally.

 

I,m at the Lancaster term. Only one to get a handle on shifting, so I got to drive. About to try the taco truck!

 

Everyone passed in waco today!

 

Shocking! Figured you might be the only one.