Watkins Shepard 30 day training as experienced by Warpdrvr

I would have gone the community college route as well, but I can't seem to find one here in Southern California that offers it, so I went the paid school route. I was gonna pay to go thru the WS 30 day program, but they cancelled the program, so I went to my second choice, which is a 30 day school here in Socal, then a 10 day orientation for WS. My whole program is only 160 hours, so I don't see myself getting 100 driving hours, so yours sounds great to me.

Thanks for the well wishes. Sounds like we had similar experiences, although I didn't get downsized at AT&T, I could see the writing on the wall and got out with a decent severance package..... On another note, where is Denison in Texas? I have family in Abilene, Plano, and Allen.

 

Wow, that has to be a horrible feeling to just be along for a slow motion ride like that and be standing on the brakes and not do anything about it. I suppose not putting on the brakes has the same result on ice like that...but I wouldn't know

 

Well, this is my last "free" weekend. I FINALLY start my CDL training Monday morning, 8am...so ready to get this show on the road! Spoke with the admissions guy from my school yesterday and confirmed I'm all set for Monday. All I need to bring is something to write with and lunch/money for lunch... They provide all books and such. I'll let you guys know how it's going on Monday evening.

 

That's ok Alex....I'm so excited I'm glad to tell you again...I'm going to United Truck Driving School in Santa Ana, CA. It was $4225 and that was with a pay cash upfront discount, and the fee for the DOT physical waived as I had already gotten mine when I thought I was going to the WS school before they stopped it. I'm not sure of the total though without going back and looking at the paperwork. Well, gonna try to get some good sleep tonite, so I'm gonna go chill with my wife and watch some TV to wind down. If I can't sleep, I suppose I'll be back. This has become my favorite website!!

 

Ok, so I finally got to start my CDL training. Day one is in the books. A nice surprise is that so far I seem to be the only student in the class, so that's good for me!

Spent the very first part of the day filling out some paperwork specific to the school I'm attending, grading charts and so on.

The bulk of the day was dedicated to learning the General Knowledge part of the CDL tests. Studied sections, then took quizzes that replicate the tests at the DMV. Passed all 3 of them 100%. Watched a video on driver fatigue (which was pretty fatiguing in itself) then had lunch.

After lunch, watched a couple of more videos on different things, how to handle yourself professionally, road safety and such. Hard to stay awake watching those things, especially after having turkey sandwich for lunch, LOL. A side note, some of the people interviewed in the videos had titles saying they worked for Arrow Trucking...feel sad for them. If only they knew what was coming.

After that, I started on pre-trip procedures. They teach to identify the same things the same ways every single time so you don't forget anything and it gets burned into your memory. I memorized the front of the tractor, and both sides of the engine compartment, so that's all good now.

That was it for the class part, but I had homework out of a textbook called "Bumper to Bumper". Had to read 3 chapters, on the controls and instruments of the truck, air brakes, and coupling and uncoupling, which I suppose is for the combination part of the tests. Had to take a quiz at the end of each chapter and will score it tomorrow.

I'm really tired as I did not sleep well last nite, so I'm off to bed here in a few....Let you know how it goes tomorrow.