CDL Training Diary - NC Truck Driver Training School

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by darkmanNC, Sep 7, 2021.

  1. streetglider

    streetglider Medium Load Member

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    as you gain in driving and shifting experience you will learn how best shift comes to you, I always when say slowing and turning just get the proper speed to turn pop out of whatever gear you are in and for me i just ease up on rpm's until it slides into that gear. no grinding or over revving
     
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  3. gentleroger

    gentleroger Road Train Member

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    They're not wrong, but not right either.

    It's the "water wing" version of downshifting. It's a teaching method that allows you to learn and recognize shift points. I'm not a fan, but it is effective.
     
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  4. darkmanNC

    darkmanNC Light Load Member

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    Interesting. I assume they are showing us this way for a reason. There has to be some type of learning point to it. Everything they do here has some underlying teaching moment. I'm going to ask next class for some reasoning why they are showing us this way. More out of just curiosity.
     
  5. gentleroger

    gentleroger Road Train Member

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    A fuller explanation -

    You can shift into a gear at any speed provided you can match the rpm.

    You can shift into any gear at any rpm provided you match the speed.

    Experienced drivers will run up the rpms, then let them fall, timing the clutch/shifter movement so speed, rpm, and gear all match up.

    New drivers tend to struggle getting the timing right. They run the rpms up, but get the shifter in late. Or they get the shifter to the gate before the clutch is in. Or, or, or ....

    By having you hold the rpms at a certain point, it removes one variable and allows you to focus on coordinating the clutch and the shifter. It simplifies the learning process and lays the foundation for understanding the theory of shifting. I use the same method to remediate shifting issues with my trainees.
     
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  6. darkmanNC

    darkmanNC Light Load Member

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    Day 13 - Friday, October 1, 2021

    Classroom night. Went over defensive driving techniques. Watched a couple of videos about it as well. Had another recruiter come and talke to us as well. This one was from Covenant Logistics | Supply Chain Solutions | Driver Jobs He gave us the fastest recruiting spiel I can imagine and then left. Felt like he had somewhere else he would rather be and was in a hurry to get there. Basically just read to us what was in their little brochure he gave us and that was it. Nothing about them really peaked my interest.

    Nothing else about tonight to talk about!
     
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  7. darkmanNC

    darkmanNC Light Load Member

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    Day 14 - Saturday, October 2, 2021

    Wasn't scheduled to drive first thing in the morning like I have been in previous weeks. So started the day on the yard doing the forwarding/obstacle course drill. Trying to get that nailed down before testing. Other than getting my trailer tire to hit the yellow paint next to the tire (curb), I think I've got it down pretty well. I keep missing that paint by about an inch!

    For my 4th day driving, I was paired with an instructor that I haven't driven with yet. I've worked with her in the yard, but not behind the wheel. She's really cool, but she doesn't hold back and will let you know how she feels! Which I respect. What followed was my worst day of driving since I've been here. I don't know what happened. I kept missing gears, couldn't come of the clutch smooth, kept forgetting what I needed to do....just a complete cluster. The more I messed up, the worse I got. I couldn't wait for it to be over. When we got back to the school, I told her that was the worst I've driven since I've been here. I thought it was worse than my first day! She downplayed it and said it wasn't that bad. Said I was doing better than most in the class and not to worry about it. That being said, I wasn't happy with myself at all. Serious blow to my confidence. Bothered me for the rest of the day. I can't believe I was that bad!

    Finished the day back in the yard. Worked on some coupling, trying to get the steps for that test down and in the proper order. Simple stuff, just need to memorize all the steps in the order they want them done. Did a little bit on the straight back station and then drove the course again a couple of times. Nothing of note to really discuss. Getting better at all of that, just need to keep doing it.

    The rest of the class voted to come in an hour earlier tomorrow so we could leave an hour earlier that evening. So instead of coming in at 8am, we are starting at 7am. That's all fine and good for everyone else. I have an hour and 15 minute drive to get there though! So now I have get up around 5am instead of 6am. Blah...not a morning person! Oh well, it is what it is. I'll survive.
     
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  8. darkmanNC

    darkmanNC Light Load Member

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    Day 15 - Sunday, October 3, 2021

    I was late for the first time today. Only 5 minutes, but that counts as 15 minutes on our total time. We are allowed to miss 39 hours for the course. I had to leave early today due to personal reasons.

    Today was just another Sunday on the yard all day, rotating through the stations. I believe some of the stations are going away for next weekend though. We are going to start working on the alley dock, and a 1000 foot straight back I think. So the yard is going to be changed up.

    Still bummed about my driving yesterday. Shouldn't let it eat at me like it is, but I know I can do better than that. After thinking about it a lot (too much), I really think I may have had my seat too far up. I think that was screwing me up on my clutching. Or, I'm just trying to come up with an excuse :)

    Oh well, hopefully next week is better. There's a lot of rain in the forecast for next weekend, so I'll get to add that to the mix! Should be fun!

    Sorry not a lot to talk about, it's just been more of the same. Plus since I left early today, it was a shorter day. And honestly, between working during the week and doing this on the weekends, my body needed to leave early. It's been over a month without a day off and I'm starting to feel it for sure. Physically and mentally wearing me out. Going to be taking a day or 2 off from work in the next couple of weeks just to get some rest and reset.

    Thanks again for following along. More next week!
     
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  9. darkmanNC

    darkmanNC Light Load Member

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    Sanford, NC
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    Sorry guys, bad news. I had to miss class last weekend because I was really sick. Unfortunately, missing those hours combined with also having to miss hours this past Friday and Saturday due to a work emergency, I'm over the limit of hours I can miss. It sucks, but I'm going to try again next semester. May even look into some training somewhere else. Not really sure yet. But I haven't given up! Just a temporary roadblock!

    Thanks to everyone who was following along and helping out. I'll be back!
     
  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Roehl Transport pays cdl school students $618.00 weekly while attending the in-house cdl school. My neighbor went through this program. He said the day you show up for school, you're a paid employee, beginning that day.
    Probably get the most miles and money in one of the National Fleets.
    ~
    1. Get Your CDL Program Training Overview | Roehl …
      Oct 07, 2021 · There's no time like now to change your life. Get paid to get your CDL in our truck driving job! Training road map. Here's an overview of what to expect. Phase 1 Get Your CDL Program Train for 3 weeks You'll be paid while you get your CDL…
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2021
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  11. N00bLaLoosh

    N00bLaLoosh Road Train Member

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    Novi, MI
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    Sorry to hear that. Good luck going forward.
     
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