McElroy Orientation not what I expected AT ALL

Orientation at my current carrier consosted of, Drug Screen at clinic at home, watching 9 videos on line, showing up at the office, 1/2 day of filling out paperwork, learning their paperwork, road test, lunch, putting my crap in the truck and leaving at 16:00 to pick up a load.

Doesn't get much better than that.

 

I may have only been doing this 4 years, but I can tell you this, expect stuff to not go right and you'll breath a little easier. As far as your backing goes, thats how I learned, without the trainer. He told me the basics, and let me figure the rest out, and it's actually helpful. With nobody watching you can have a clear head not worrying about people's criticism, and go as slow as you feel necessary.

 

I started out at McElroy over 3 & 1/2 years ago. My orientation was at the Cuba, AL terminal though. All the homework entailed was doing some trip planning, practicing log booking based on given scenarios, as well as recapping. Easy. But then again I'd known how to use a map to plan long trips since I could drive, and was taught how to recap in my cdl school.

 

Sorry to hear that, but time to move on to another company, not a big deal.

 

HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU GRADUATE AND GET A CDL and NOT KNOW HOW TO Maneuver a CMV?

 

Why exactly did you fail?, did you take to long to put in the hole backing? o why exastly did they fail you, thanks

 

Guitar guy
Sorry to hear you failed.
Take it as a learning experience and grow. There are lots of other companies.

For me, while backing, I keep one thought in my head.
" turn towards the problem "
Basicially i turn top of steering wheel in whatever direction the back of trailer is doing that i dont want it to do.

One simple thought and backing woes are reduced.

At home you may not have access to a tractor trailer, but it works the same as if you are backing a utility trailer with your camry.

Practice backing using only mirrors and setup cones or obstacles to back through and get the feel of it so you dont have to think which way to turn steering wheel when backing, only how much for the desired result.

Goodluck in your next venture.

 

CDL school is designed to teach you how to pass the test to get your license (and since you were invited to orientation I take it you got it). No more no less. After that you have 2 choices: find a company that will train you (Swift is probably the least ####ty of the megas that will train you IMHO) or learn on your own. Since you didn't learn on your own and mcelroy doesn't want to help you go with the other option. Nothing says you have to make a lifetime commitment to one of the megas... get a year or 2 experience and better jobs WILL open up for you. Good luck, driver.

 

Their were truck driving Schools long before their was a CDL test.

Their is no rule that governs what these CDL schools teach. Or even that you get your CDL after attending the School. Some provide more, other provide far less. You have to be a good consumer when laying that kind of cash out for a truck driving school.

Now, some scams for schools have continued collecting money but provide barely enough instruction to pass the current CDL test.