Finally Started School!

hehehehehehe Well, I need to get that first mile under my belt before I worry about the millionth! hehehehehe

Glad I could be of some assistance in the information. As I have always said, I am far from being an expert on these things, but I have learned a few things here and there. But honestly, a lot of it is what I have learned or heard from others on the forums. So the thanks should be directed to them as well.

Good luck on the school. I know you have to be excited. It is a lot of fun as long as you approach it with the right attitude. Be willing to volunteer and pay close attention to everything going on around you. When you are standing around and others are "doing their thing", watch and learn. don't get caught up with the group that stands around talking about last night's game. You will find they are the ones that have the most problems with the practical exercises.

Stay in touch and let me know how it goes. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!

 

I have been accosted for spelling his name wrong.

One would phonetically spell it Tyreek.... HOWEVER! I have been clearly informed that the proper spelling is

TARIQ

Can you believe I made that mistake?


Many apologies Ty!

 

Ok, Monday has come and gone. And quite the eventful day it has been!

Started out by going back to my doctor for the labwork and a do-over on the DOT Physical. Long and the short of it is that I have many years ahead of me, my blood pressure was 130/80 and my DOT Medical Card has a 2 year expiration date. In a nutshell, I am fit for duty. And what a great way to start my day.

Got to school, did some yard time (moreso watching other drivers do their backing exercises) and got to meet the new students. One of them actually was someone who had contacted me on the forums and asked about CTA. It was sort of funny because the Lead Instructor (Victor) came to me and asked me if I had been posting things on the internet about school. I immediately went into paranoia mode, trying to figure out if I had said anything derogatory (which I couldn't remember doing). He then said that there was someone there who had been reading my posts.

I said, "well how do you know it is me? Do you know what the person's forum name was?" "What was the first letter of their name?" He said "S...... Scooterdawg". Ok, so there is no denying it now. I scan the room and there was Bill.... Sorta nodded my head and gave him a "How Ya Doin'?". Nice guy.... But you can imagine how taken I was by all of this. On the good side, apparently I hadn't said anything bad hehehehehehe

Now on to my day. At 2:30, they came and picked me up and off we went. The next 3.5 hours were me behind the wheel. I started out ok, but was having to refamiliarize myself with shifting. It had been a while since I had done it, and my prior experience was very little and mostly highway driving. This was to be much different. Jerry, one of the driving instructors, laid it on me. He had me drive out of one town, and into another. Many traffic signals, school buses, downward sloping off ramp to a dead stop, school zone on uphill grade, many more lights, major highway intersection with many lights and commercial businesses, more buses, then off into the country (skinny roads / rolling hills with traffic signals at the top of almost each one), more hills, more buses, then back into town. Then he let me drive the test course in the beginning of rush hour traffic (and what a rush it was).

Well, I didn't run over any nuns, but I do need to improve my shifting. I did ok, and only missed a few gears, but I did recover rather quickly. However, I did grind a bunch of gears on the shift. Not terribly bad, but I did grind some meat. My biggest problem was that I was having to pay attention to a bunch of different things at once, and I wasn't paying as much attention to my rpm's, which made me hit a gear a little quicker than I should have. Same with downshifting. But I think I have it now. And I am glad that Jerry did this to me because it was a HUGE eyeopener.

If I get another shot at it tomorrow, I think I will do much better.

I have said it before and I will say it again. For those of you who have never driven truck before (regardless of if you plan to or not), once you get doing what I am doing now, you will gain a huge respect for those who are out there doing it already. There is a whole lot more to driving truck than one might imagine. Hat's off to ya'll.

 

51 foot Great Dane Dry Vans

There is some miscellaneous office furniture and the sort, but nothing major. We do however do our start-off shifting to simulate a load. It all works out.

Hey Jack -

Yeah, it is a lot of fun. Been standing in the yard a lot these last couple days, but got some drive time in yesterday and from the sounds of it, I am going to be getting some tomorrow. Really looking forward to it.

Did some really crazy backing manuevers today that Victor had set up for us. Tariq and I were out there (in the rain)(in the COLD RAIN!) making it happen. It was a great practice exercise, more so geared on precision backing in a very tight and limited length area. We both nailed it and walked away proudly hehehehehehe.

And that was really about it for the day. Rather uneventful, but I guess you have these days when THE END IS NEAR!!!!!!

See ya tomorrow!

 

hehehehehehehe "Scootster"? hehehehehhee that's a first.

OK, so here it is.... the post I have been anxiously waiting to write......

I am now a card carrying member of the CDL-A Community. Yup, yup.... passed the road test today, and now I am "unsafe at any speed" hehehhehe. Just kidding.

The road test actually went pretty well. It was sort of awkward because for some reason I had some issues with shifting the Volvo today. Doesnt make a lot of sense because last night I drove her for two hours and never scratched a gear, but did it 5 times on the test today. The shifter kept jumping out of gear after laying it into 3rd and once, I had kept my hand on the shifter to keep it in gear while turning at an intersection. Lost a cool point with the examiner because I didn't have both hands on the wheel while turning (however the turn was flawless and tracked my trailer right where it needed to be). But you know what.... I'm not making excuses. Bottom line is I will get better with time, I more than satisfied the examiner, and I am going to do my part to meet and exceed the expectations of my company.... PERIOD.

So ends the saga.... This has been ONE HECK OF A TRIP and I recommend it to anyone who wants to follow their dream of being a truck driver. There is still a long way to go, but I feel I am well on my way.

For those of you who have advised, consoled, informed, and inspired me, I want you to know that the last 4 weeks would have most likely been unbearable had you not been there for me. From every part of my soul, I thank you.

For those of you getting ready to take the same journey, I HIGHLY recommend you read and listen to those who have "Been There, Done That". Remember there is a "golden ticket" out there for you, but it won't be easy to grasp. Getting your CDL is not child's play. I have said it many many times, and here it is one more time.

There is a lot more to driving a big truck than turning a steering wheel and crushing gears. If you are not commited, and you are not willing to realize that you know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, don't bother.

Also, a BIG SHOUT-OUT to my brother Tariq (pronounced ty-'reek)(hehehehehehe - long story)! He also got his CDL yesterday and I can promise you that it would be impossible to convey how excited he was. Let's just say that there was enough energy coming from him that you could have powered a small village with his enthusiasm! This guy is UNREAL when it comes to "Personality Plus" and he brought a lot of joy and comaraderie to the class. Imagine this guy, 6'7" 340 lbs that just could not be stopped when it came to getting it done, and laughing all the way! Hell of a guy... definately blessed to make his acquaintance, and looking forward to seeing him on the road. He'll be going by "Ty-Grrrrr". You can't miss him! Congrats Brother-Man!

Again.... Thank you..... May You Be Blessed..... and Safe Travels.

I'll see you out there!