How many don't make it?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 1278PA, Sep 11, 2016.

  1. Flashdrive7

    Flashdrive7 Medium Load Member

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    I flunked the air brakes portion the first time.

    Retook it a week later and passed with flying colors. Including one shot moves on alley dock and parallel parking.
     
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  3. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Out of my class of 35 I think we had 2-4 have to re-test (fail) on initial attempt. I also previously worked for the 2nd biggest flight school in the US, failing a check-ride (pilot's 'road test') was not unusual, especially for Instrument Rating. I saw very smart and very talented student screw up one task enough to fail. Every one of them passed on the re-test. Failing the road test is nothing but a small pothole unless somebody is injured or killed. There are pretty small ways to fail the road test, something as small as no complete stop at a stop sign. I certainly would NOT bail out of trucking unless you failed the road test numerous times. It's not brain surgery it's just some specific skills. The main thing is to not resist the training. Don't see training as a negotiation where equal partners decide on an action. Do it as trained and you will be fine.
     
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  4. Starboyjim

    Starboyjim Road Train Member

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    In that case, 1278, you shouldn't have any trouble with focus or applying yourself to learning as well as you can. You can make a good living, so go for it and don't let up.
     
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  5. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

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    Judging by the quality of new drivers out here today I'd say there is a very high percentage of drivers passing their driving tests.
     
  6. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Road Train Member

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    I went to a small community college. 6 month class and after 3 months you took the CDL test. You had to have your CDL permit to even get into the class. There were 12 of us in the class. Two of us, including me, had a CDL already so only 10 needed to take the state CDL driving test. Out of the 10, 6 failed after 3 months of driving in a community college course.

    Those 6 got some additional instruction and retested 3 weeks later and out of that group 5 passed. One had to take the test a third time and finally passed. Interestingly, he was the first one to get a trucking job.

    Out of that class, the dude that finally passed the CDL driving test after 3 tries got a job as stated. I am still in trucking, but all the rest of them went back to the jobs they were laid off from. Almost all of them never drove a truck for a living. It was just easier to make money elsewhere.

    Somewhere in trucking you probably will here about the rule of 10 in regards to training at the Mega-crap companies. It goes something like this. Only 1 out 10 prospective drivers that are in orientation at a training trucking company will ever make it out of the trainer's truck and be assigned their own truck. 1 out of 100 will make it a year in trucking. 1 out of 1000 will make a year without a preventable accident. From what I understand, the real statistics are slightly worse then that rule of thumb.
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2016
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  7. Riffman

    Riffman Light Load Member

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    True that. I think most pass their requirements to get their license and have no clue what they're getting into and wash out in a month or less. I had a buddy that made it three days. Said he didn't know he would be driving so much!!!!!!! I wish I could have seen the look on my face
     
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  8. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Road Train Member

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    If you broke down the actual wage per hour at most mega trucking companies you will find you make more delivery pizza. The paycheck in trucking is only bigger because you can work more hours. In pizza delivery, the boss man will cut you off before he has to pay overtime. But then their is the tips and the free pizza.
     
  9. Redtwin

    Redtwin Road Train Member

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    And the lonely housewives, but thats not for this forum.
     
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  10. Riffman

    Riffman Light Load Member

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    You'll be fine dude. The first year is tough and awesome at the same time. If you stick with it, you can actually make a respectable wage.
     
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  11. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Most the schools guarantee the students their CDL or it's like 98% chance you'll pass.
     
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