Class B CDL = lost cause?

Sorry if this all sounds mean but you know people should never drive an automatic trans in a car or a truck without first learning how to shift. Too many people are not smart enough driving because of that fact.

What advice I have given people relates to one thing - dancing. If you can dance, anything that isn't jumping around or goofy but with some form and repetitiveness, then you can learn how to shift and go onto being able to drive almost anything. It is all hand, foot and eye coordination with a pattern to follow which is like ... dancing.

First thing I get frustrated with is the idea that the equipment is old - so what! it still drives and you still have to shift it.

Second is learn how to deal with your frustration, even if he had to deal with all the others, if you act positive, he will too.

Every truck is different. I had a brand new Westernstar I drove for a day and the next day I got into its sister, another westernstar and its clutch was a pia. I could not get it into gear, when I did it wouldn't come out and just one thing or another. These two trucks had less than 10000 miles on them, made next to each other with an order for them from the same dealer. No one could tell me why it was so different other than "that's the way it is".

Get used to the yelling and get used to trying to figure out what to do.

As for your question, I would think you'll be alright if you want to be with the B cdl. You could do a lot of work for local and regional deliveries or some speciality work.

 

It is just a sad fact of life that there are a small percentage of people who CAN NOT DO THIS. I have trained a lot of people and there are a small percentage of people who simply cannot do this in the average time that it takes others acquire these skill sets and progress enough to gain employment. I would say that the numbers are around 99.5% of the people coming in the door, will come out of a CDL course with the skills to pass a test. We had a couple of people in three years who ended up and were advised to take the B because it was the instructor's opinion that if they took the A test that they would not be successful. The instructors have the students AND the schools best interests in mind. The student could possibly get the skills to obtain an A to pass the CDL skills test.. barely. But if you can barely pass the CDL skills test, you are not going to be comfortable and have the skills to pass a road test for a company. Sometimes there is no magic that any instructors have. And for the record. We have had people WITH CDL As that did not pass our school, did not get out of the training area and never ended up pulling a trailer.

 

A class b can earn you a decent living, but only if you test in a manual. If you test in an automatic you'll have an auto only restriction on your license and are stuck with school busses full of screaming kids or garbage trucks. Not that hauling garbage would be a bad job, I'd just want more options. Good luck!

 

Get on you tube and look up yourboyEthetrucker. He has a very good video on shifting. He was a trainer. Good Luck Dont Give Up !!

 

I have one question why do people have to go to school to learn how to drive a truck? I never went to any school and I have over a half million miles of safe driving in the ----hole ND oilfields. Not trying to brag, but your lucky if you make it through one year without a wreck in that hell hole. But then again I was raised in a farming community and driving truck when I was 9 years old. Not to mention tractor, and combine. Call me an arrogant SOB or whatever u want, but I believe if U have to go to school to drive a truck u need to find a different profession. Just my opinion.

 

Yes, get that Class-A

You will be living in a good area, on the I-10 corridor, for some good jobs right out of school. Forget the starter companies, with the endorsements you don't have to settle for starter companies.

Here's some good companies that hire new CDL graduates:

Howard Transportation
Benny Whitehead Trucking
SVTN
CTL Transportation
Melton Truck Lines

 

You don't have to go to school to learn to drive. Problem these days is it's almost impossible to find a job without some type of formal schooling. Most companies are required to have their insurance company approve any driver application & no schooling=no job. The old way of doing things are over.

 

I had the same problem as you in school, I could not shift if my life depended on it and doubted myself and almost just went back home, but with 2 days left until cut day, they gave me a new instructor and within two hours I had it. He was able to be patient and really simplified everything in a way that I could easily understand and when I had it, that was it, it was like I had done it all my life. You will get it, but you may need a new instructor, don't let him decide your future, you decide it!

 

If all you can get is your CDL-B right now, do it. I started driving a straight truck (granted, where I lived at the time I could make a good living with only a B license) and when I went to get my CDL-A, it only took me 4 driving lessons to pass my road test. I wasn't intimidated by the size of the truck and making wide turns because I had done somewhat similar things with the smaller truck. The main thing I had to learn was backing up the combination vehicle as it is totally different than backing a straight truck.

As for shifting, it really is imperative that you learn to drive a standard shift. I'd rather not drive an automatic. Boooooooring.

Hang in there, things will get easier. I'm just glad I never had to go thru months of "school" to get my CDL-A. Sounds like a total nightmare.

 

Because not everybody has the background you grew up with? The purpose of a school is to get you the basics so you can go on to learn. Even in your case, I seriously doubt you were a bona fide, certified gear jammer at age 9. Like anyone else, it was something you had to learn and improve on over time. Should people not drive cars because they go to driver's ed to learn how? By your logic, nobody should get into any profession other than unskilled labor unless they were born into it. Ever had surgery? The person performing it went to school. Own a computer (like the one you're using to view this forum)? Built, programmed, and maintained by people who went to school.
Yes, people have to learn stuff. You weren't born with knowledge of how to drive a truck, and had to learn along the way, even if the manner in which you learned was a bit more informal.
So yes, your post was extremely arrogant. Not said for the purpose of trying to be disrespectful or starting a pissing match, just stating my opinion.