Random Questions

A week, these days is NOT long. A month is longer than normal for some companies. Women that demand a woman trainer could wait a lot longer than a month. Living in the truck with another man will happen soon enough. Enjoy your sleep while you can.

 

To the op. Study your Fmcsa. And then again. I've gotten a knock lesson a couple times.
Don't sweat getting the stamina to drive the shift. If your trainer is like mine wise. You'll be in driving shape by the second week or your walking home.....Heres Huge tip. While in training put your phone down and go to sleep, about the first three weeks you won't want to sleep if your trainer is driving because you won't want to miss anything....trust me. Miss it you will see it next time.
If your trainer don't drive, you will learn your rotating clock fast. Again sleep as much as you can and don't over caffeinate. It's hard to pre in a jug when you have a trainer.

 

You should also check the turn signals
Not just the flashers

I once had a tractor that had the wires crossed in the pigtail
So the right turn signal in the tractor operated the left signal on the trailer

and didn’t ever know it until someone in a car at a traffic light told me .
Because I always just turned on the flashers

 

Thanks man. I appreciate your reply and thorough explanation.

 

I am suggesting there is a right way and a wrong way and pulling the spike is the wrong way.
How do you know if the brake lights work off the pedal?
What are you suggesting?

 

I can see the glow of the tractor AND trailer brake lights from the ground when I check them in the early morning. I'm suggesting doing a pre-trip daily.

 

Are CAT scales associated with Caterpillar? No. Certified Automated Truck (CAT) Scale

How does the trucker check the tail lights and turning signals, reverse lights if they are by themselves? All of the above work when the vehicle is off (ignition on, not running). Set brake, put stick in Rev, hit 4-ways, pull trolley bar (hang weight on it if spring-loaded).

Do most trucks nowadays have built in cell phone? If so, does this cell phone provide wifi access even if not at a truck stop? Yes, but only if the truck is ordered with the capability enabled.

Bobtailing - driving just the tractor? Deadheading - driving a tractor and trailer, but the trailer is empty? Yes and yes.

Automatic transmission trucks, is the Jake Brake normally still manually activated? Yes, but the smart cruise systems can activate the Jake when going downhill to maintain a set speed.

Do private trucking terminals (Werner, Schnieder, Western Express, Swift, etc) sometimes repair trucks belonging to other companies for a fee? Depends upon the way the terminal's shop[ is ensured. Some are insured as for-profit shops and will take in any customer while others are not and can only work on their (or their contractor's) equipment.