Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Question About Pre-Employment Test Drives

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by shoulder, Jul 26, 2012.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jul 26, 2012 #1
    shoulder

    shoulder Bobtail Member

    2
    1
    Jun 30, 2012
    0
    Hello - First post here: I recently obtained my CDL through a training course, and took my first pre-employment test-drive yesterday.

    I thought that the interview went great, but it began going downhill from the pre-trip on... Firstly - it would appear that I was only supposed to be pretending to look at the truck, and not actually doing so. I would not like to make the same mistake again, so any advice on what I should "appear" to be doing on a pre-trip is appreciated.

    Secondly, the moment we were on the road the fella asked why I was double-clutching - then insisted I not use the clutch at all. Being completely fresh, and having only been taught how to drive double-clutching (etc...), the fella might as well have asked why I was driving with my eyes open.

    I understand that the clutch becomes an afterthought in The Real World, but any advice on making an appropriate impression on test drives would be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance - Thomas
     
    shoulder, Jul 26, 2012
    shoulder, Jul 26, 2012
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jul 26, 2012 #2
    CenutryClass

    CenutryClass Road Train Member

    1,539
    859
    Feb 15, 2006
    0
    You're new so youre still in training school mode. But before hand, ask the examiner what exactly they are looking for and do just that. Floating as its called might be new to you, it'll take some time to get the hang of it.
     
    CenutryClass, Jul 26, 2012
    CenutryClass, Jul 26, 2012
    #2
  4. Jul 26, 2012 #3
    Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

    15,317
    209
    Jan 31, 2012
    Green Bay Wi
    0
    i wouldn't have thought an examiner would have questioned you double clutching
    who is the company
     
    Cranky Yankee, Jul 26, 2012
    Cranky Yankee, Jul 26, 2012
    #3
  5. Jul 26, 2012 #4
    turnanburn

    turnanburn Medium Load Member

    628
    270
    Jan 25, 2011
    central Vermont
    0
    Doesn't sound like they know what to do with a new driver. Just move on.
     
    turnanburn, Jul 26, 2012
    turnanburn, Jul 26, 2012
    #4
    Speedemon1084 Thanks this.
  7. Jul 26, 2012 #5
    dayzedandconfuzed

    dayzedandconfuzed Light Load Member

    135
    25
    Jul 6, 2012
    0
    Exactly what he said...just be patient...they driver u were with should have been impressed when he saw you doing a literal pre trip...don't stress he may have just been on a power trip
     
    dayzedandconfuzed, Jul 26, 2012
    dayzedandconfuzed, Jul 26, 2012
    #5
  8. Jul 26, 2012 #6
    okieboy

    okieboy Light Load Member

    172
    62
    Jan 20, 2012
    0
    Sounds like to me you were doing everything right. There shouldn't have been anything wrong with your double clutching, since that's really what you are suppose to do. After you get out on your own, you can 'float' the gears if you want to. Sounds like whoever gave you the road test is a supertrucker that 'thinks' he knows how it's done.
     
    okieboy, Jul 26, 2012
    okieboy, Jul 26, 2012
    #6
  9. Jul 26, 2012 #7
    shoulder

    shoulder Bobtail Member

    2
    1
    Jun 30, 2012
    0
    Thanks y'all... my overall impression was that he didn't care much for me, and wanted to stir the pot a bit. That's alright - that's just the way the chips fall sometimes.

    I believe that next time, however, I will let them know in advance that I was taught to double-clutch - and that I do it well - and if they wish me to drive some other way, then I will learn to drive their way just as well.

    It was a local company, transam pete: Pierce Metals in San Angelo, TX.
     
    shoulder, Jul 26, 2012
    shoulder, Jul 26, 2012
    #7
  10. Jul 26, 2012 #8
    jeepnut_nh

    jeepnut_nh Medium Load Member

    302
    177
    Jun 15, 2012
    Milford, NH
    0
    do you really want to work for folks who want you to do a "pretend" pre-trip?

    seriously, what you have described would get all kinds of alarms ringing in my head.

    if i were you i'd just move on to a company that doesnt mind that you ensure the rig you drive for them is safe to drive.
     
    jeepnut_nh, Jul 26, 2012
    jeepnut_nh, Jul 26, 2012
    #8
  11. Jul 26, 2012 #9
    Giggles the Original

    Giggles the Original Road Train Member

    6,761
    84
    Jun 11, 2010
    looking for a new stalker
    0
    If they are not allowing/expecting you to do a thorough pretrip THAT IS REQUIRED by LAW, what else are they not doing???

    Also, double clutching is what they teach you in school. It is HIGHLY unlikely that a new driver , fresh out of school will know how to float gears....
     
    Giggles the Original, Jul 26, 2012
    Giggles the Original, Jul 26, 2012
    #9
  12. Jul 26, 2012 #10
    turnanburn

    turnanburn Medium Load Member

    628
    270
    Jan 25, 2011
    central Vermont
    0
    "Thanks y'all... my overall impression was that he didn't care much for me, and wanted to stir the pot a bit."

    Too nice. He's a moron.
     
    turnanburn, Jul 26, 2012
    turnanburn, Jul 26, 2012
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2