CDL in hand... Now What ? Decision time, that's what...

Yesterday was called "Q" day - for 'qualification.' Today was the real start of training. A very full day indeed.

In the morning we had classroom activities including the company's safe driving techniques called "protective driving." The idea being that we are professionals and must use our skills and knowledge to protect the driving public. We know the majority of drivers out there have less training so it is up to us to anticipate their actions and avoid problems. About 10 years ago, the company switched over form the 'Smith System' to its own system. Since then, there has been a significant improvement in safety, and many prestigious awards related to safety have been received.

Other topics included company policies, hours of service logging, HazMat training, and CSA (compliance safety accountability).

In the afternoon we made it outside and started working with the trucks. Part of the group learned the company way of doing pre-trip inspections, while some others began driving around the enclosed road course. The main purpose of this was for the instructors to get an initial impression of our skills - especially shifting.

I was in the truck with another trainee and the instructor. After a few times each around the loop, the instructor was confident enough in our abilities that he let us go out into real traffic. The two of use each drove for about 30 minutes in different scenarios including highway, urban streets, lane changes, merges, right and left turns. By the end of the day traffic was starting to pick up. Our sense of awareness was high and we made a few minor mistakes such as not finding the correct gear right away or grinding a few. This was to be expected and we were encouraged to focus on the process and not to sweat a few grinds here and there.

I did not expect that we would get out on the road so fast - especially since the implication was that we would be working on pre-trip inspections. Next thing we know we are out there doing the real thing. We had a flatbed semi-trailer loaded with about 7,000 or 8,000 pounds of miscellaneous materials. With the tractor and trailer, our total weight was probably somewhere on the order of 38,000 pounds.

I was impressed with the amount of power that the engine had, especially compared to our CDL school trucks. We were told to start off in 3rd gear and then shift to 4th and 5th without touching the accelerator pedal. Upshifting in low range could occur about 1000 rpm; in high range we were told that there was no need to go past 1300 rpm to upshift, unless going uphill, in which case 1500 may be needed. Downshifts should happen at around 900 rpm and at the appropriate road speed for the gear.

The instructor said we both did a very good job for our first day out.

Tonight's homework is more reading and trip planning exercises. We were also given a computer-based training module on cargo securement that is due later in the week.

So yes the intensity continues to increase as expected. The bar is set high and we must strive to prove ourselves to make it through this "interview" and officially get hired. This not only goes for skills and knowledge but also attitude and work ethic, etc.

Until next time...

Stay safe and have fun

Perpetual.

 

Very busy and full 'first' day Perpetual!
Wow that you got to drive and in real traffic! That must be a confidence booster for you.

Keep up your thread-great read!!!

 

I agree, good read. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Started the day with a thorough engine compartment and vehicle exterior pre-trip inspection lesson. Really took our time and examined all items in detail - much more so than the state CDL requirements. Very informative.

Driving on the road late morning, including straight backing maneuver at a truck stop.

Returned to terminal for lunch and working on trip planning exercises.

Back out on the road after lunch after practicing in-cab pre-trip inspection. Longer distances, more city streets with lots of traffic signals, railroad tracks, school zones, etc. More backing practice at truck stop. Practiced skip shifting ("double-down" as our instructor calls it). For example: downshifting from 8th to 6th or 9th to 7th.

The three trainees in our truck did well, and we had some laughs out there too.

More homework tonight - an online study course and exam on cargo securement.

Perpetual.

 

Perpetual, keep up the good work. Sounds like you're staying focused. You'll be on the road before you know it.

 

ditto what Wedge says!!!

 

More driving on the road - morning and afternoon - longer distances, challenging situations.

3 trucks with 3 trainees each. The guys in my truck are doing well. We really like our trainer.

45-degree backing skills practice in the afternoon. Roehl has a specific methodology for how to back in a parking space:

Approach parking spot perpendicular with driver's side about 3 feet from front line of parked vehicles. Stop when left side of parking space is in line with the gap between the tractor rear axles. Turn steering wheel hard right. Forward in 1st gear with no accelerator until tractor is parallel with the parking space lines, then stop. Turn wheel hard left. Forward in 1st gear with no accelerator until tractor is perpendicular to the parking space, then stop. Set parking brakes and GOAL (Get Out And Look).

Steering wheel straight, sound city horn, back into parking space adjusting wheel as needed. GOAL as many times as needed to ensure correct entry and no mistakes.

The Maryland CDL exam does not require a 90- or 45-degree backing so this was the first time I had tried it. Using the recommended procedure worked quite well. Very interesting to see the forward wheels of a spread axle flatbed trailer slide sideways instead of rolling.

In other news, one of the 9 remaining trainees was dismissed and given a taxi ride and a bus ticket bound for home. His CDL school had automatic transmission trucks and so he had never leaned how to shift. The company gave him 3 days to pick it up but determined that he wasn't going to learn the skill in time. They told him he could come back after he learns how to shift, so he said he will contact his school and see if they can help in some way. And then there were 8...

It was disheartening to see that happen, as he was a really nice guy with a positive attitude. But he took it well and said he plans to come back, so good on him for not giving up.

 

Road test this morning. Trainer only provided directions on where to turn; no instruction or coaching; just evaluation of our performance. All 3 guys in our truck passed. Yay!

Backing skills practice in afternoon. 45-degree and serpentine. The serpentine is 4 cones evenly spaced down the middle of the practice track. The drill is to start with the first cone at the front left side of the tractor and then slalom the cones without hitting them; leaving them on successively alternating sides, ending up with the last cone at the right rear of the trailer. Then do it in reverse.

The serpentine was another skill I had heard about but had not attempted until today. The first try was a little ugly, but the second time I nailed it fairly easily. I feel like I am really starting to get used to the relatively larger tractor/trailer than we had in CDL school. There we only had 36- and 40-foot van trailers. Here we are using a 48-foot flatbed. Vans are 53-feet - I have not tried backing one of those yet.

Toward the end of our practice session we had a big storm blow through with lots of rain and hail and big winds. So we picked up the cones and ended early. We were released from class at about 4:30 and so we had time to go out for a nice meal.

Another good day. I am feeling more and more comfortable. Only a little more than 2 days before we can be officially hired and move into the next phase.

 

All meals are covered by the company during orientation. Breakfast is continental style provided by the hotel. Lunch is selected from a menu from Zantes, a sort of greek 'fast-food' place close to the terminal. Their food is decent enough; it gets delivered to the training building so we eat in the classroom.

For dinners we are given vouchers for $8.50, which may be redeemed at either Zantes or at a sit-down home-style restaurant called 'Round the Clock. We went there this evening and it was very good. Large portions, quite tasty, and a very reasonable price. I ordered one of their dinner specials and only had to pay $1.12 over the voucher value, plus a nice tip for the excellent server.

The company also lets the trainees take a large passenger van to and from the hotel, so we are able to go eat or shopping.

 

Dang....lucky dog
All I got was the free hotel breakfast and a $7/day voucher for the terminal cafateria.