MTI Training 3/4/13 Cartersville Ga

Today we got our first opportunity of on road driving and with a trailer to boot. Everybody did well some issues with downshifting and judging size and turns, but that's to be expected. There is so much going on at once and so much to keep an eye on that it can be overwhelming. Just remember to slow down and take your time, watch your trailer, and be constantly aware of everything around you. We drove until lunch then spent the rest of the afternoon backing on the course. Three of us tested out on the backing before we ran out of time, the others will test tomorrow. Today we crossed the halfway point of the class and all in all everything is going good.

 

Well we did each manuver (Straight line, Blind side parallel, Sight side offset, Blind side offset, Sight side parallel and 90 degree alley dock) You are allowed a total of ten points for the whole course, anything over ten points is a fail. On the Straight line back you get one pull-up and one GOAL (Get Out And Look) and for all other manuvers you get two pull-ups and two Get Out And Looks. Each additional pull-up or Get Out And Look you use over those allowed to you is one point. On your straight line and alley dock there are 4 cones on each side. You want to stop with your ICC bar on your trailer even with the last cone. If you are within the last two cones(short of the dock) then that is one point. If you go past the last barrel(run into the dock) it's 3 points off and at any time if you hit a cone it is 5 points off. If you fail then you can take the test again the next day. The thing to remember is use your Pull-ups if you need then and definitely use your Get Out And Looks. It always pays to check on where your trailer is, especially when doing a blind side manuver.

 

Well i'm not sure about the Hotel but i know we are responsible for our food. I'll let you know when i find out about the hotel.

 

Yep, still the same. Millis pays for the hotel.

 

Today the last three in our group tested out on the backing and we wound up with 9 points total for the five of us in the group. The other guys were out driving on the roads and looked a little wore out after having their night drive last night. Tomorrow we will switch, our group will spend tomorrow and all next week out on the roads driving and the other guys will be in the yard on the range working on their backing. Things are winding down fast, only 6 days of school left til orientation. We should hear from our trainers next week, so looking forward to that.

 

Its always good to know what you're headed into, but rest assured that the trainers are great and they will teach you guys everything you need to know to get out on the road. Just remember: Patience, take your time, and listen to the advice that they give you and you'll be rolling down the road before you know it.