You guys were right

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by JoeT, Mar 28, 2013.

  1. JoeT

    JoeT Bobtail Member

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    Feb 19, 2013
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    About a month ago I posted that I planned to try a service called CDL test truck. Many users of this site told me this was a bad idea. It is in my nature when someone tells me not to do something to doubt them and consider them as just possibly a naysayer in general. Since I had already paid for the service prior to receiving the advice not to use it, I decided I'd try it anyways. Me and 4 other guys spent around 20-30 minutes each practicing the route that would be used in the driving test, none of us had ever driven a semi and we all did pretty terrible. We were coached by being shouted at with a stream of profanities by the teacher/owner; he justified this as a useful teaching tool that served him well in the military. As a church going family man I'm not a huge fan of this teaching style but I thought I could deal with it to get my CDL. I figured since I was a really safe and careful driver in a pick-up truck I'd probably be pretty good in a Semi right?....wrong! The overall feel is extremely different especially in the feel of the clutch and the brakes. One guy failed his air brakes test and I failed my road test for crossing a white line before it becomes a dashed line leading into the freeway. I didn't stick around to see how the 3 after me did but they drove even worse than I did so I doubt they passed. Supposedly we did not get the "easy" examiner that day which I believe is probably a blessing in disguise, because I need quite a bit more practice to feel safe driving a Semi. There might be some situations or people this service could be useful for, but in my opinion folks need quite a bit more practice than this service offers. I apologize for doubting those who advised me against this service, feel free to tell me, "I told ya so!" Thanks.
     
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  3. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Meadville, PA
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    A question, if you will.....

    What made you think you could learn to drive something as large as an 18-wheeler in a day? Most people take more time than that just learning how to shift the transmission, to say nothing about how to turn something that big, or back it up, or how much space you need for safe entering and exiting traffic.....and the driving part is the EASY part of the overall job!

    Either get your permit and sign on with an O/O who's willing to actually teach you how to be a truck driver, go to a CDL mill and a starter outfit, or in the best of all possible worlds find a community college that offers a full course, have patience, and learn how to be a trucker......
     
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  4. Bob The Dinosaur

    Bob The Dinosaur Light Load Member

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    holdenville oklahoma
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    Joe I would personally follow the above advice you got to have some /momentum before you an old Popeye rig...
     
  5. JoeT

    JoeT Bobtail Member

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    Feb 19, 2013
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    What made me think that? Ignorance and stupidity I guess...LOL! Thanks for the advice.
     
  6. Dryver

    Dryver Road Train Member

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    Sioux Falls, SD
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    Joe, You don't know what you don't know. You come across as the type of guy that will learn from this lesson and move on, don't cut corners as it will bite you down the road.
    Good luck.
     
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  7. Uncle Ben

    Uncle Ben Bobtail Member

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    Feb 1, 2013
    George West, TX
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    I went to a truck driving school for about 4 weeks to get my CDL, the first two weeks was just class room stuff and watching videos. The third week we started practicing yard skills like straight backing, blind side and sight side backing. We didn't even highway drive until about the end of the 3rd week or 4th week of the course.

    Even after all that training, there were still a few students that didn't pass the course.
     
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  8. critters

    critters <b>Late For Dinner</b>

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    traverse city,MI
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    next question,, are you going to a CDL school now?
     
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  9. Pound Puppy

    Pound Puppy Heavy Load Member

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    May 31, 2010
    Amherst, OH
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    4 weeks is still not a good training length. Id like too see 6-8 weeks with at least 3 weeks on the road training. Books are great, but you cant learn until you get behind the wheel and get put in situation. Id also like to see each student have an overnight trip with an actual load on. To get the feel and see what it is really like.
     
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  10. Uncle Ben

    Uncle Ben Bobtail Member

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    Feb 1, 2013
    George West, TX
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    Also I should mention that most companies that hire non-experienced drivers will usually require you to be a truck driving school graduate. I got hired on with my current company about two weeks after graduation from the truck driving school.


    www.iitr.net

    www.maytrucking.com
     
  11. Uncle Ben

    Uncle Ben Bobtail Member

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    Feb 1, 2013
    George West, TX
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    Ok, after 4 weeks of truck driving school, I got hired on with May Trucking. I then trained with a company trainer for another 4 weeks before the company let me drive solo. I've been with May for a year now and still consider myself an entry-level driver.

    Uncle Ben
     
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