RDTC: a rundown

Ok, day 2:
Today is actually a lot easier to describe than yesterday. We started with doing our pre-trip, hooking up the trailer, finishing the pre-trip, and then we started driving on the practice range. That is about all we did today, drove, took a break, switched drivers, drove, etc. Kevin gave us feedback as we went, letting us know what we could do better, helping us get the shifter in the right spot when we missed the gears (I kept jumping to 9th when I wanted 7th).
Tommorrow we are supposed to head on the road, as long as our drug tests come back clean. He said we are going to focus on driving in the more country type setting and get used to getting up to a bit higher speeds.
A piece of advice for people coming to the training: they give you homework to do each night (chapters to read), the schedule for today called for us to be on the range all day so I didn't bring the book with me. You go over the homework on the range, so bring the book in everyday. Also, bring your lunch with you. During our 45 minute lunch break I was able to make it back to my room for my book, stop quickly at burger king drive through and eat it on my drive back. I made it back to the truck with about 5 minutes to spare, so bring food with you will make life much easier.
Tonight's homework was another 4 chapters, they weren't that long so it wasn't too bad.

Northtown-I do not currently have my CDL, I am getting it through the program.

Technoroom- I let Kevin know. Out of curiousity are you a trainer now, cause I was talking to some of the guys waiting on their drivers for phase and one said he was getting picked up tomorrow by a Randy, just wondering if that was you?

Keep the questions coming guys, and I'll keep trying to keep you updated on the daily activities.

 

Time for day 3:
Today we started the same with pre-trip. Once we hooked up the trailer Kevin showed us the inspection we will be doing for the CDL test. It is a lot short and easier (basically it shows the trainer that we know what we are doing, and what we are looking for). We did the course again, this time taking it around going clockwise, so doing right turns. Before lunch we went over the homework questions.
After lunch we went out on the road, and Kevin showed us some of the more interesting corners we may face during the CDL test (sharp corner, corner at R/R tracks, stoplight at end of long downgrade), and how to properly do an emergency stop. He then let us go out on some country roads (low traffic, slightly higher speeds with some good corners and stops). I didn't get a chance to drive, but I will start tomorrow.
Magnetic- technoroom covered it, if you are new at driving or haven't driven for a while- full three weeks, experienced gets an 8 day course (right now there is only one person in that class)

Keep the questions coming, as you saw Techno usually beats me to the answer, but I'll do my best as well.