Another thing I forgot to mention in my post is that depending on where you live there may be many other jobs that a workforce center can get you training to do that might be a better choice. HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc. Ask the workforce employment agent you are working with and also talk with your local union shops as they may have apprenticeship programs.
Anxiety about driving a big truck.
Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by wtrippe0909, Jun 24, 2018.
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I'm feeling a lot of positive energy here. I appreciate everyone that replied. I am embarrassed about my post but I do not regret it. I am glad I reached out to such a wonderful community of people. I looked into the gate guard job, but all of the ones I found listed were for couples only.
Rocks, Maj. Jackhole, IluvCATS and 1 other person Thank this. -
Nothing to be embarrassed about. It's estimated 1 in 5 people in the US have some sort of mental condition. This is a demanding business. Hard enough when you are "normal".
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I'll second the suggestion to be a security guard. Wyoming in January is no place to be for someone with anxiety issues, unless you're one of those lucky people who can score a local job as a new hire.
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I suffer from a good amount of anxiety and depression myself. I just started my third week of school and my second week behind the wheel. I was scared senseless the first time on the road, but you know what? I survived. I survived the second time too. I was a bit more skilled and less nervous every time.
Like the others have said, the instructors have a brake to stop the truck and they WILL use it to stop you from doing anything dangerous. I absolutely feel like this is the hardest thing I've ever done. But I'm determined to finish, pass or fail. Hopefully pass, lol. Don't sell yourself short, you are capable of more than you think you are, good luck with whatever you decide.Rocks, Maj. Jackhole, SHOJim and 3 others Thank this. -
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Anxiety is normal when learning something new or in a situation where you having not been taught anything.
Now actual fear, that can be for some people seriously disabling and for some, to do nothing while freezing in place will get them killed or someone or several someones hurt really bad or killed. The best way to defeat fear is that accept you are feeling it, but continue to make a decision to do something, anything and physically FOLLOW THROUGH. If it happens to be the right path, everything else will fall into place and you can do your shaking and drinking later on when it's all over with.
I felt that for the first time near Bethlehem PA to the east where there was a major river at the bottom of a downgrade forming a T at a stop light no less. I had a container load of export Jif Peanutbutter and Concord Jelly in glass bottles in that 40 foot sea box for Europe. The #### thing was pretty heavy. The problem was I ran the wonderful rural roads a touch too hard not knowing anything about what was waiting for me at the bottom on the river. I come off the top and there I was 2 miles to the light straight down, Probably 10% grade. The brakes faded out on me halfway down. (Keep in mind this was a adjustable manual brake system, none of that automatic slackadjusting we had ever...) and no one taught me a #### thing about those stupid manual adjustments where you can use a 9/16 or a 1/2 inch.
I pulled the springs (The buttons) and then allowed the top gear to stay where it was with the clutch out grinding the clutch plates all the way to a stop. (That was interesting.. felt that in my teeth, even to this day) But I got it stopped.
But, two drivers saw my problem instantly, asked me if I knew anything about adjusting and I said hell no, can you teach me?
Right then and there did they ever teach me. Made me get under all of them and get it done just so.
It goes to show a risk when a company hires you but does not care that you are a flat newbie and sticks you into a tractor. You were literally expendable back then. Life was cheap.
The yelling and the associated clutch costs were not.Maj. Jackhole and wtrippe0909 Thank this.
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