Going to TMC CDL training

The offsite driving was probably pretty cool!

 

The ol' switch-a-roo

 

Presumably to see how you all reacted under pressure (maybe looking for people to say "oh man, not yet"). I've read somewhere that they do that (maybe at all company run CDL training programs) at TMC...a lot.

 

When you start doing drive days with instructors, cross your fingers you get Christina as much as possible. She is an absolute DREAM to have in the passenger seat because she's super easy going, won't stress you out, is a huge wealth of info and is all around pleasant to be driving with.

Vernon is pretty cool too, some like him, some don't. I liked his style too, but I didn't get to laugh anywhere near as much as I did when I drove with Christina. Vernon likes going over that long bridge (forget the name) that crosses a long body of water to see the bald eagles that would be over there.

I assume you're pre-tripping the way old man John teaches you (using your hands in a certain flow)? John's a great instructor as well, and his method makes it very easy for you to pickup and memorize.

Also, pay attention to the areas that they teach to you do your emergency stop as well as that tight right hand turn by the rail tracks, thats part of the route you'll take when you do your DOT exam. They won't tell you during training, but when you go out for the exam, it'll be like muscle memory. That turn from what they told me afterwards was the single number one spot that people failed their test for curbing the trailer.

 

I went through in March. On test day if you pass, you'll also go driving with instructors to kill time since your agenda in Des Moines is paperwork until you leave at that point. If you go with John again after you pass he'll teach you things like double down shifting and rapid downshifting as well. Once you pass, you're treated completely differently, like one of the family almost lol.

 

Did Fischer take you to that mexican joint over by the gas station that he likes?