Time for AZ training closer

Shift by speed not RPM. One of my trainers uses this shift method. 3rd gear @ 5 kph, 4th @ 10, 5th @ 15, switch up and in to 6 @ 20 kph. 7th @ 30 and into 8th @ 50 for city driving. 9th @ 70, 10th @ 80+.

It worked okay. I look at the speed and know what gear I should be in. If I need to downshift, slow down to 70, take it out of 10th, rev to 1200 and it dropped in to 9th gear and so on down. I say 1200 rpm as I continued to find at that rpm the gears dropped in without the clutch. Worked on that tractor.

 

a week in the yard, doing both driving for 2 hour periods (streets of Hamilton, county roads, up and down the escarpment and QEW), PTI, reversing and going over many aspects of the trucks and trailers.

Saturday and Sunday was AIR BRAKE training. I did my class II air brakes a number of years ago for fire truck operation. This weekend was more involved for tractor trailer.

The third week is starting with class room and yard work.

 

completed my air brake cert today...received a call this afternoon from a carrier and we have started the hiring process.

 

This past week we did Log book, HOS, Cross Border, CVOR, HTA and Fork lift training this past week.

I think Log Book should be done on day 1 and completed each day during training to become accustomed to it.

My interview for my F.A.S.T. was completed week ago in Fort Erie.

Friday, instead of training in the International 10 spd, we took out the Volvo 13 spd. The Volvo shifts so nice and the gear box pattern is so much bigger than the International's, it's a pleasure to drive.

Back to school tomorrow for the 4th week.

 

I am now into my last week of school. TDG instruction tomorrow. Last week was Fork Lift hands on, heavy loads tie downs and strapping, refrigeration, defensive and smart driving and map reading.

Picked up a 2013 Rand McNally on Ebay for a real good price.

Driving and yard skills this week and my road test Friday morning.

Six weeks coming to an end, first company road test early July.

 

Well this morning I successfully completed my road test. Yeh I ground a few gears, that was it...pre-trip ok, trailer disconnect and hook up ok, in cab good and a 20 minute road test...Lefts and rights through city streets, truck route and back to the test centre and then a parallel parking job (first attempt) DONE It's a PASS.

A few calls have been made, but hey it's a Friday, holiday weekend up here and the July 4th. Sit back a few days and wait and see.


Thanks for reading my posts.

 

Tuesday morning, 1st road test.

MTO test does not touch under the hood of the tractor, or addresses the hook up of a 45K lb. trailer and air brake and brake measurement is taken for granted.

Ask a lot of questions about a qualified pre-trip, lowering the tractor air suspension, hook up and the air ride suspension on the trailer.