Millis Trenton

This is a post that has taken me a minute to write. I Failed the CDL test AGAIN! Bitter pill to swallow for sure. Probably the way I failed is the worst. I have about 10,000 miles under my belt now.(a drop in the bucket for sure) and the tractor and I have been becoming fast friends, getting more and more comfortable with each other every day. I totally aced the test, every part of it. The Examiner tells me to turn into the testing area to complete the road test and I miss the entrance, how, why, I just don't know. Drove right by it. I turned into the second entrance. Failure to follow instructions, instant fail. Unbelievable. So I test again next Tuesday. Slept last night at the Flying J exit 95 off 65. Headed for Cherokee Alabama this morning. Writing this post is part of my therapy to get my head back into the game. I appreciate all the support and having this website to share and learn.
A couple of things that I would like to share. The skills course in Trenton was different than what I encountered at the test site. The test site was much tighter. For example on the blindside offset back I needed to begin with 1 full turn of the wheel amd hold it until the cone disappered in my convex, then stop and go full right and it put you right into the hole. On the parallel blindside I began with the wheel all the way hard left and held until the reflector on the trailer reached the edge on my west coast mirror and then went back full right until tractor trailer lined up. Aiming for the back corner of the box with the right side of the trailer did not work for me. It did not leave enough room at the back end of the box for my tractor to swing in. So I changed my target to 6 to 8 feet in front of the back corner. It swung right in without any pullups needed. It probably is different for everyone and I urge you other students to post your experiences.
I am just an inexperienced trainee and I am just sharing my observations amd experiences. The testing place was good enough to let me in the day before my test and practice for 3 hours, it was really rainy crappy weather and they had several cancellations. The experience was really invaluable. And despite my failure I recommend AB CDL Testing in Whiteland Indiana to any Hoosiers going after their CDL.

 

Taking a 10 in Virginia at the Flying J exit 323 off 81. Drop and hook in Cherokee headed for Saratoga Springs NY. Had a good run last night over 600 miles. The 81 is pretty empty through the night. The majority of my driving during training has been night driving. It is lighter traffic but I do not enjoy it as much as day driving. You don't get to see the sights and rest stops can be packed trying for a bathroom break. I have found that I personally enjoy the rest areas more than the truckstops. Certain loads demand night driving but with my experience thus far they are the exception rather than the rule. My CDL test was scheduled for Tuesday and I was told that I would have to reschedule. Thats a bummer. I have completed 6 weeks of training today. I am looking forward to completing training and getting out on my own. My trainer is a great guy and an excellent instructor but it is also like visiting in someone elses house, it's nice to visit but at some point you are ready to go home. Gonna take off at about 8pm and should be in Saratoga Springs by 4am. Have fun and be safe!

 

I also forgot to post that I spent the weekend before Thanksgiving in the Trenton Terminal doing a reset. Amazing poker that weekend. I made out pretty well. I met a Millis driver named Mike. One of my instructors previous students. He "gave" me a Cobra Bluetooth CB. He had upgraded to a Stryker and said he had no need for it. He also took the time to do some training with me on do"s and don'ts of CB installation/operation. Once again proof in the pudding that these Millis drivers are the salt of the earth!

 

No you aren't and didn't! Fremont is in the Northeastern corner of Indiana right off I 80/90. Fabulous deer hunting and 101 lakes in the county. Home of Pokagon State Park a fantastic vacation spot and and several different state record fish have been caught there.