My Journey Starts Today

All the companies you have mentioned are not on the bottom of the list, as far as I know. I was gratefull to have 6 weeks with my trainer after being accepted at KLLM. He taught me a lot and we also had some fun. I don't think I would like being put on the road after only ten days of orientation/training.

Sounds like you are progressing well with your school training though.

Mikeeee

 

When I went to trucking school one of the instructors told me that when I get to feeling nervous take 3 deep breaths and then refocus. I found that it actually did help. Maybe it will work for you when you start getting nervous.

When I took the actual road test and had DOT sitting in the seat next to me, thats when I got nervous. I was getting the white knuckles before I even pulled out of the lot. Took 3 deep breaths, refocused and did just fine.

After reading your post it seems like you got your head in the game and I believe your gonna do just fine.

Have fun, Good Luck and Be Safe Driver.

 

Should practice shifting without the clutch because you won't be doing any double clucthing in the real world. Unless you like a sore leg, Clutch is for starting,stopping, and backing up.

 

I had my road test with a CHP officer in CA.He was dressed in full cop motorcycle uniform with those mirrored glasses and a cup of coffee/ no lid!! Told me dont spill that, dont talk to him and listen for his directions when to turn and where. Choked every gear as soon as I pulled out of parkinglot FAIL!!! Spilled coffee too
My trainer was shocked! He couldnt believe I had failed. I had been bumped to an early test date since I was more advanced than my class.
On my 2nd test, this guy in sweats jumped on and asked my name. We chated about my training etc while I waited for the CHP officer to test me.
He soon asked me to take him for a ride, trainer said sure since the man worked for CHP. We drove couple miles and went back. He then turned to me, addressed me by name and said congrads YOU PASSED!
I asked well, what we did was the test, but who are you? He took out his sun glasses and says, you know now? He was the same cop! Just not in uniform and no sun glasses LOL
My trainer set it up for me after I choked the 1st test. I grew up in Los Angeles and feared cops due to seeing their abuse on people over the years. My trainer (retired OTR 40yrs) was awesome and thank him for all he did for me.
Well that was in 1990 so he was deffinately old school. Thats the kind of trainer these newbies & wanabes need!

 

sgfulton83
Bobtail Member

You didn't say which school you are going to? Sage, it dosent sound like a community college to me?
Also apply for your TWIC card(after your background check) for the hazmat comes back.
If you decide not to finish? Then you can show an employer a TWIC card. Impress him greatly.

 

For me it is more important than lives...

I had to make sure Easter candy was on time!

Mikeeee

 

I have been married to my husband for 7 years and with him for 10 he worked a the same company for 17 years and in 2009 the company well said downsized but actually went to Mexico terminated him. He then went to truck driving school in 2011 when he tried to find a job and couldn't. John always wanted to drive a truck in 1995 he actually got his CDL permit but the company offered more money and he stayed. At first he had a hard time having to prove why he was off for so long but he did get a job and he loves it. Me at first hated it because he was gone and I was not use to it. But have a new appreciation for him. As a wife I will tell you was very hard at first but I keep busy and support him. Plus I have never seen him happier with is career. I wish you and your family lots of luck and remember it will be hard for both of you, nothing tests a marriage like truck driving. My only other advise which my husband fell victim to is please dont get the idea that you will have a local job because reality is you have to pay your dues just like everyone else. He has had his CDL for almost a year now and he loves OTR and hates it at the same time. He loves seeing the country hates being away from home, but there is no perfect job. He works for Star which tends to lie but from what I have read they all do. But besides that they are a good starting company, they pay is crap but they do give you the miles, trucks are new and clean. Home time well that's debatable they say more home time but also say cant promise it. My husband is on adverage about 4 nights a month home, but other guys tell me they are home almost 2 nights a week so I guess depends. Just prepare to be gone and everything will be good. We did not and were disappointed at first and angry. Now that I know what to expect it is easier to deal with.