Have to start somewhere

Well here we go I packed my bags to leave for Newport in the morning.For the first time in my life I am unemployed that is very scary for me.

I went down and talked to Paul at maverick man that place is more secure than fort Knox but it sure is a clean looking place.Hopefully they will let me know if I have a job by the time I finish school.Heck hopefully I can learn to do this.

Man I sure never pictured my life like this at 50.Thanks to all the people who gave me insight into doing this your advice was greatly appreciated and much needed.I cant imagine trying to get started and making it without all the help and advice of this site you have all been a godsend and I greatly appreciate all your help will try to keep you updated on my progress good or bad if time permits. Later

 

Well here goes got here on Sunday if you ever go to asu at Newport make sure you bring two things bug spray and a good ear cause you will need them.Checked into the apt got a room with a bed and a tv and a place to study it is clean so I am happy and that is all I ask for.

The class is almost all driver solutions people there is just one other guy like me who is paying his own way.There are two women in the class. I got my phsyical (50 dollars)and my drug screen(50 dollars) and my cdl packet (50) are you noticing a trend here.If you are coming from out of state make sure you BRING ALL YOUR PAPERWORK WITH YOU.The instructors seem nice and we go to get our permits tommorow and hit the range.will write more later.

 

Watch out world I have a cdl learners permit.We did a pretrip inspection and backed up 300ft all morning.I sucked so bad at backing up I had that trailer all over the place and barrels in the lane moved around anything but straight.

So this afternoon my confidence was pretty shaken so that by the time we went to go take our written test I was starting to wonder if I was cut out to do this. I lost one of my roomates today poor fellow couldnt get by the dot physical.Make sure if you are taken any prescription meds that you have a note from a DR that says you are OK to drive a truck.

So I got to the testing center and I passed the test even my hazmat and tankers I didnt take the triples cause there is no way anyone will let a newbie drive a triple or double. They do it on computers here. I guess it shuts off once you have given the correct numbers of answers. Mine didnt shut off early that often. So I had to answer all the questions but hey I passed thats better then some.

All you have to have is the general knowledge air brakes and combination vehicles for the basic permit so you can study the other stuff later.OK got to go run and start studying the pretip that is my next big hurdle that and backing 300 ft later

 

So here we are at day 5 did log books in the morning and backed that truck up in the afternoon.I also did 1 drop and hook.My backing is starting to get better hell it couldnt get any worse.We are gona do 300 ft bakups all weekend so by monday I should have a better grasp of it .For me it is a lot harder than it looks some guys jump in and do it and I am not one of those guys.We work everyday start at 6 am till 3 on the weekends it sounds like.I will keep posting if anybody is reading this and wants me to continue let me know if not I will stop later