Truck Time

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Journey, Feb 16, 2007.

  1. Journey

    Journey Bobtail Member

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    Feb 16, 2007
    Georgia
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    I'm in trucking school prepping for my CDL.

    My problem is my class is so large that there isn't enough truck time for students who need more time like me. I need to practice my 45 back up and parallel parking. I can't get this from a book. I really need to be behind the wheel so I can practice. Can someone suggest a way for me to gain access to a truck so I can get the behind the wheel time I need?

    The class instructors have volunteered to come in on their own time to work with those who need more time. That isn't all that productive when the entire class shows up and I wind up getting a whole 15-30 minutes of truck time after spending the day trying to get extra help. So far, the ones who are doing well in the class are those who have been driving off and on in the past.
     
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  3. Thoresen

    Thoresen Bobtail Member

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    Feb 15, 2007
    0
    What school did you go with?

    Dave
     
  4. Journey

    Journey Bobtail Member

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    Feb 16, 2007
    Georgia
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    Its a state school in North Georgia.
     
  5. panhandlepat

    panhandlepat Road Train Member

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    Jan 12, 2007
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    what is the student driver to instructor ratio when y'all go out on the road/course?
     
  6. Alaskan

    Alaskan Light Load Member

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    Jan 7, 2007
    Houston, Alaska
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    I figure you guys are using more then one truck. I would try and spot the group that has uninterested or unmotivated students, seems like most schools have them. When I was at Stevens Transport school, thats what I did everyday, find those who don't care or think they are to good to practice, and jump in their truck. I got way more driving time than advertised, there was my friend Neil and I that did nothing but practice.
     
  7. Journey

    Journey Bobtail Member

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    Feb 16, 2007
    Georgia
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    Started with 22 students. Down to 18. 2 trucks. With new hire instructor there are now 4 driving instructors. So, the class was split into an a.m. and p.m. session. 5 to one truck and 4 to the other truck. There are no slackers in the class. Everyone is there to learn to drive and get a job. We each get a rotational turn and then have to give it up to the next driver. We are all asking for more time than there are trucks or teachers to satisfy. So, when the teachers volunteered to come out and work with those who wanted to on the weekend on their own time, the entire class showed up. We have also been working against not enough daylight to work the yard or hit the road, short days
     
  8. I certainly hope what you are describing does not happen to me when I start school next month. I want as much time behind the wheel as I can get. I am selfish that way.
     
  9. panhandlepat

    panhandlepat Road Train Member

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    Jan 12, 2007
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    ouch, that ratio bites. but hey, ya gotta get what you can. i read on another forum that the in-truck student to teacher ratio is 2-1 at ASU where i am going sunday, hope it's true
    hang in there man seems like you have the drive to make it. don't get too frustrated!!
     
  10. Alaskan

    Alaskan Light Load Member

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    Jan 7, 2007
    Houston, Alaska
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    It sounds like it would have been more beneficial to go to a company sponsored training. Bummer to bad, you didn't know all this before you started. Sage schools, have a student teacher ratio of 1to1 for any newbies reading this, that are thinking of truck driving schools.
     
  11. ajktrk

    ajktrk Bobtail Member

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    Dec 16, 2006
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    Sage schools don't have 1:1 instructor ratio, they have 1 student per truck. During a backing session you might have a few students working with one instructor in the yard. One student might back while the others wait their turn. So far I've never had to back with more than one other student, I got my own truck and idled until it was my turn. Still you get a good amount of backing time. I heard of a student in another school in my area who was in a truck 8 hours and got 30 minutes of backing time. You do get one on one with an instructor when you're driving on the road. Sage is not the cheapest route to get your CDL but not the most expensive either. Personally I'm glad I went with them.
     
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