Anyone doing C1/Indy March 4?

Discussion in 'USA Truck' started by ezmed, Feb 23, 2013.

  1. bradleyaskey13

    bradleyaskey13 Bobtail Member

    4
    1
    Mar 24, 2013
    0
    awsome stuff I hope to be going on april 8th hopefully working for USA was gonna try on the april 1st but waiting on them to verify employment history. Looking forward to going, should have most of the driving and manuvering down, was a trailer jockey in sense for 7 1/2 years loading tankers and hopper bottoms, my only thing is going to be is getting the double clutching down got into a real bad habbit of floating the gears, did alot of backing up too so hopefullly shouldnt have a problem there lol. congrats on passing
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. bradleyaskey13

    bradleyaskey13 Bobtail Member

    4
    1
    Mar 24, 2013
    0
    oh p.s. does anybody know where they do the orientation for USA at, I know its 4 days but dont know where they do it at
     
  4. USIT420

    USIT420 Light Load Member

    145
    49
    Apr 9, 2011
    Atlanta, GA
    0
    That will likely depend on where you live. They typically try to get you to a terminal closest to where you live. As far as I know they're only doing orientations in Van Buren, AR, Vandalia,OH and Atlanta, GA. They have a terminal in West Memphis, AR, as well, but I'm not sure they're setup to do orientation there, yet.
     
    bradleyaskey13 Thanks this.
  5. ezmed

    ezmed Medium Load Member

    337
    49
    Oct 22, 2012
    Louisville, KY
    0
    Yep. What USIT said.

    Here is my advice for attending C1 training........... Forget everything you know. Most of it will not apply to what you MUST do there. You will be taught how to pass the local state CDL road exam. Not a lot more. Nothing less. You MUST test out at C1 before going to state testing.

    Double clutching up, down and in-between. Speed and rpm mesh tables. The state expects it.

    Straight line backing. Off-side backing. Parallel parking. The state expects it. C1 teaches a system. Learn it. It works. It applies to the state course nearly to the letter.

    You will test to move your home operators license to the state where C1 is located then do CDL written exams for that state. Then perform that state CDL road test. Get that state CDL license then transfer that license back to your state later on. I received my Indiana CDL yesterday in the mail here in Kentucky. I was told not to transfer the license before attending USA orientation April 3. I researched doing it. Transferring takes up to 10 business days. My Indiana license is good for 90 days. I am not sure how this can be accomplished doing OTR. We'll see.

    Do not lie about anything. They will find it out and you will be put out the door. My class began with 49 and 27 remained when I left. False backgrounds, bad pee, medical lies, medical results canned nearly half of the class. You MUST do the work in class, on the range and on the road. If you don't, they can you. They want you out in 3 weeks but a few stay 5 weeks if you appear to be trying. If you test out early like me you MUST stay until the end of the 3rd week to accumulate your school hours.

    No smoking or womanizing at the hotel. No drinking. They will can you. It is all business until you get state tested then you goof off.

    Good luck.
     
  6. ezmed

    ezmed Medium Load Member

    337
    49
    Oct 22, 2012
    Louisville, KY
    0
    Once you graduate, USA sets up orientation. Mine is April 3 in Vandalia. They bought me a Greyhound ticket. They put you up in a hotel. They offer a shuttle from the hotel to orientation. You buy food. 3 or 4 days later you should be with a trainer for a minimum of 175 hours of drive time. $350 a week. From there you go solo in your own truck. $600+ a week for 90 days. Then go 29 cents; then 30; then 31; then 32 at the end of a year.
     
  7. themoj0

    themoj0 Light Load Member

    77
    14
    Jan 21, 2013
    0
    Be careful with the whole..350.00 a week..thing. Its actually 50 per day that your on duty.
    See..my trainer has a dedicated route...so im home every weekend. Think im getting 350? lol nope since we only worked 4 days last week, i only got 200. and this week we only worked 3 days, thanks to easter, and the unions at the plants we deliver to. so ill get even less next week. not a very happy camper right now
     
  8. ezmed

    ezmed Medium Load Member

    337
    49
    Oct 22, 2012
    Louisville, KY
    0
    Shoulda said in a perfect world.

    But you sound pleased in general.

    btw....... Indianapolis wants their key to the city back. LOL

    I'm doin' my farewell tour this weekend....... seeing family and such before heading out. (sniff) The things we do for money. Get 'er done and all that.

    If ya do C1 in Indy..... Go to Edwards Drive-In across the road..... Like thermoj0 says..... the onion rings are top notch.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2013
  9. themoj0

    themoj0 Light Load Member

    77
    14
    Jan 21, 2013
    0
    haha they aint getting it back~!!

    hey maybe ill se ya at vandalia on monday

    my trainer picks me up between 4 or 5 pm mayhap ill stop by a little early and say hi
     
  10. ezmed

    ezmed Medium Load Member

    337
    49
    Oct 22, 2012
    Louisville, KY
    0
    I think I am coming in Tuesday afternoon. I'll send a pm with my number.

    We'll catch up somewhere. C1 alumni and all that. It is bound to happen. The world ain't big enough for it not to come. Silly planet! LOL And when it does, I'll be wearing my red cape....... (snicker)

    We are getting there, buddy. Like Donna says...... One bite at a time.
     
  11. J_FROG

    J_FROG Road Train Member

    1,061
    564
    Sep 4, 2011
    49 states and Canada
    0
    Once you get out of school and with a trainer it doesn't matter wheter you double clutch or float. The more important thing is that you get it in gear and do it safely. You can double up or down when necessary. All cornering is to be done in low range and no shifting once you start the turn until you are around the turn and clear of all obsticles.
    Backing is important and unlike many yard dogs you must get out and look. At c1 they penalize you for doing so and that's not good. Also, on your ungrade test at USA there is no penality for pull ups, do as many as you need too. Just be able to put it into the hole in a reasonable amount of time. But more importantly, safely. If my students don't demonstrate safe backing and cornering , then they don't go in for upgrade until they do.
    Backing a trailer is going to be a whole lot different with a sleeper on the back than in either a day cab or a yard pup.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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