YRC/Yellow Driving Academy

Utilizing quite a few videos on Eaton 10-Speed transmissions, Indiana Pretrip, and shifting. Yellow gave us printouts on the Pretrip, Backing, and Shifting. They do help. The backing part does have a few missing steps that you kind of catch on to as you go.

 

I didn't update the past couple of days but here is the experience:

Week 2: Days 2-4:

I did a few days' worths of 30-mile driving going on the interstate, expressways, driving the perimeter of the Indianapolis International Airport, going through South Tibbs, and Holt Roads. A few other streets I can't remember. All I know is the driving instructor says he is pleased with my performance. It isn't perfect yet. At other times I do have to politely request not to be rushed because my brain isn't at the same wavelength completely. We had a student request not to go on the interstate just yet (he was very nervous) but I can see why. I did go on the interstate twice so far. I did stall the truck a couple of times.

As for backing on the range, I have completely mastered the right straight-line backing, right offset, and right parallel parking. I know the insider trade secrets haha. Starting tomorrow will learn how to do the left side of the range. I did one example but couldn't figure it out just yet. These janky old yard trucks the mirrors don't adjust well or they are missing lol.

I have memorized 99% of the pre-trip now and can rattle it off like a script. The in-cab I get about 90% right when the instructor is with me. I get nervous and tongue-tied. The air brake check I have memorized but I get nervous. The air brake check is pass or fail. The laid-back instructor for the range is leaving to be a state examiner. He just got taking the course.

 

Week 2: Day 5

Finished the week. Sadly, I didn't get to do any driving due to retests from other students. I did spend a few hours backing up on the range. I started to learn the left offset and parallel park. I went to the testing center to get into a truck to drive back to Yellow's Terminal but it was being used so I didn't do any driving. I practiced pre-trip twice and got all the way through, air brake check, and in-cab inspection. When all the other students went home I wanted to use the day-cab to drive around the terminal but the speedometer and RPM gauge stopped working!

 

At my home domicile I heard they got all automatic Peterbilts with Paccr engines. So, I’m gonna pass with a manual but then forget on how to use it .

 

Week 3: Day 1

Spent most of the day doing pre-trips. Our instructor did a mock pre-trip follow-through and I passed the pre-trip, in-cab, and airbrake check. I was the only one that drove around town today. I didn't get to it on Friday. I had a few hiccups on the journey that I need to overcome. I'm having issues going from 9th to 7th right as I'm getting off the interstate. I think I"ll get it. I also accidentally went from 6th to 8th. I thought I was in 7th but I was in 6th. Other than that making progress.

 

Week 3: Day 2

Two students got placed on academic probation so to speak for failing their pre-trip. They have to stay after 4 pm until they pass. You have to speak with the head instructor if you get to that point via telephone. I am about done mastering the left side now. Drove through the town instructor making me drive really fast in order to shift at the right RPMs. It scared me at first but now I know why he made me do it... I did shift better that way!

 

For the state test double clutching