Congrats from a fellow graduate...class 522!

After spending some time with grads from some CDL mills I am thankful I endured NCTDT and I'm proud to be a graduate.

NCTDT needs to print up some t-shirts that say "I survived qualifying!"

Hi kinnakeet04 and all u other JCC grads. I will be attending JCC starting Monday 8/31/09 (I’m so excited). I wanted to know what you are actually doing during the qualifying of the 9 and 10 transmission processes. Also any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Welcome to the forum! I have gained a lot of useful info on this site that came in handy during school. First let me assure you that I believe you will be starting at one of, if not the best training schools in the country. Hands down! I cannot express it enough the appreciation and respect I have for this school. I must warn you. This is a tough school. But if you pay attention, study and don't mind doing some homework you will be fine.

Don't worry about qualifying. I stayed up a many a night worrying about it! Just joking! All jokes aside qualifying is when you demonstrate that you have the ability and understanding to operate a tractor trailer in all traffic conditions. You will start out learning the different shift patterns for each transmission. Then you will progress to down and skip shifting. Eventually you will be expected to do these things in traffic when the need arises. When you can demonstrate that you can do these things and you know when to do them you will be signed off by two instructors. When this is done you can test for your cdl.

Tips? First study and study more the shifting sheet you will be given. I guarantee you will kick yourself the first time you drive for not studying it enough. Second, study every night. I tried to study every night for a hour including doing logs. Third get out from under the canopy on the training field. You won't learn any thing under there. No matter how hot it is! And believe me it gets hot out there in August! The ones that are struggling at the end of class are the ones who spent the most time under it. The majority of the time. Fourth. Listen to the instructors! There is about 300 years of knowledge around there. Fifth. Remember when backing TURN TOWARDS YOUR TROUBLE! You will get the meaning of this fairly quickly on the backing exercises. Six. Pay close attention when going over logging. You will be thankful later on.

Good luck to you. If I can help in any way let me know. You will be surprised at how quickly you progress in a weeks time. Keep us updated how everything goes. And I bet you will hear the phrase "Test time is coming" fairly quickly!

Qualifying is simply showing the instructors what you have learned so that you can solo. They will help you fine tune things so that you are consistent. It can be frustrating at times, but it's worth it. The key for me was to stay focused, and to talk my way through the route. When you look back on it you will be thankful for the process, since it mirrors what you will have to do most likely to test out in your first job.

I've just started my first week with Werner, and my trainer says I drive as if I've been doing it for a long time. Your driving in downtown Smithfield will be absolutely invaluable. I've found that I have zero trouble driving a 53 in crazy traffic and tight turns because of the "routes" we drove day after day. My first day I had to blind side back into a tiny parking lot with cars all over the place and a ditch bordering the access road. No problems! It was a great way to get started.

Just put all of your effort into school--every last bit of it. Don't slack off. When you are on the training field, push to get in as much practice as you can. Not everyone in the class will work as hard as you do, but it will pay off. Everything they are teaching is what you will use in the real world, so study every night, get your logs done before you come in (do NOT try to do them when you get there!), and push yourself as hard as you physically and mentally can. Try to ace all your tests, and don't get complacent on the training field. It WILL pay off. I can't stress this enough. There is nothing better than jumping into the cab on your first day with your new company and feeling 100% comfortable and enjoying the drive.

Thanks kinnakeet and spacebat for the advice. Tomorrow will be the first day, I’ll try and keep you guys updated on how things are going and with more questions I’m sure

Thanks again

Best of luck to you ShowTyme!!!!!

Have a great week

__________________
KC

"For every trucker with a headache,there is another with an aspirin in their pocket."

Tough Times Don't Last...Tough People Do

Good luck tomorrow. I am sure you will do fine. Your going to be in good hands. I would suggest taking a notebook highlighter, mechanical pencils also a calculator. Walmart has the pencils on sale one dollar for a pack of ten. Most of my class used them logging. They worked really well. Keep us updated.

Well you have made it, graduated got your cdl, and is everyone finding work and able to secure a job.

I'm considering Johnston Community College or Nash Tech in Rocky Mount. Any info on both schools would be helpful.

First off welcome to the forum. I am sure you will as I have, found a lot of useful information on this site. No I have not infact found employment as of yet. I hope to get some good news this week. Several students in my class have been hired by some major carriers. I believe part of my problem on top of the economy is that my home is located three hours east of ninety five on the coast.

As far as which school I must warn you I am partial to my school The North Carolina Truck Driver Training School at Johnston Community College. They have a great program! Lot's of well maintained equipment from different manufactures. The instructors are tough but extremely fair. You might find some schools as good as them, but you won't find any better! And best of all it's only $700. I say that again $700 You be the judge. If their is anything specific you would like to know just ask and I'll do my best to answer.

Kinnakee, hopefully you'll find work soon best of luck, I checked out Jcc web site, and the price is a deal. I'm planning on doing my classes on the weekend its going to take longer but I'm working now. Nash Tech is about 5 min. from my house and about a hour drive to JCC, but the money is a big difference.

Who is at the top of your list for trucking jobs and was the Jcc helpful in finding you a job.

Once you hit the road do you have idea of what to expect.

I'll be asking you some questions, I'll need some help.