Started PTEC in St. Petersburg, FL

I really enjoy reading about your day-to-day experiences at PTEC. Laura said that the October class is still accepting registrations, but on stand-by status. I'm going to drive over on Monday and get put on the stand-by list.

 

Well here is the thing, once you find what works for you it becomes second nature. I started understanding what I needed to do and stopped thinking about it. The less I thought about it, the more it registered in my head automatically what to do. Though, I still make mistakes so I'm not saying I know how to do it every time!

Also, the ally dock was introduced to us yesterday. (No school today). Out of the 5 times I did it, I got it in. But it was all with the help of my instructor. Which made me disappointed in myself for not being able to do it once without help. I don't feel alone because the only person who could do it was a guy who use to be a trucker. My first problem is that I setup to close to the maneuver. Then I setup perfect, I just got turned around and didn't take out and put the turns back in as needed. Also, the instructor said the way state of florida makes them teach it is just ridiculous because it doesn't relate to real world application. (Because really, the setup is dumb).

....................||(Truck)
....................||
Ally Dock .........
---------| .......
---------| .......
......................
We come in straight stop, start backing up creating the angle needed. Instead of coming in, making the angle and then backing. The periods are just fillers.

 

What my instructor told me is that when he is calling for turns, you should be looking for references that help you remember to turn at that point or around about that point. And trust me, I feel your frustration. Ally dock is still kicking my ###!

 

Give me a spot between a couple cones and I'll end up hitting the cones.
Give me a spot between two trucks and I'll get it in there no problem.
It's weird.

Is your city driving doing laps around the Dome and parking near AAA for lunch at Subway?

Remember: it doesn't have to be perfect, just within the lines.

When I took my backing test, blind side parallel was one of the ones I got. After setting up and almost in the spot I was told I was about to hit a cone. They told me I could either use one of my pull ups and try again, or run over the cone and take a one point penalty. I didn't have any other points against me and that was the last backing I had to do for the test so I mowed over the cone and took the one point.

 

Really off topic, but...

Jim Morrison once attended St Pete J.C.

Sorry, now,

back to you folks .......

 

I really enjoy your musings. It's helping me prepare for next week.

 

I drove over there this afternoon and got put on the stand-by list for the October class. If I can't get in that one, I'll be in the November class for sure.