Complete Training by Conway Truckload Joplin MO - From Start to Finish

The third week we talked about cargo securement and documentation. We had 3 road trips which we were tested on. One was a narrow curvy back road in the middle of nowhere. There was a one lane bridge on this road and a dump truck raced up and down the road the entire day to make it more interesting.
Friday we were tested on the pretrip which we were asked to study on our own week 1 and so on. They did provide us with DVD of a pretrip inspection that Brandon, another instrutor, had made. It was very helpful. I would suggest you watch it and right down what he says during the pretrip word for word. It helps to understand the importances of not only learning all the parts of the semi but what you need to look for when inspecting them.

We also had a written test on the chapters we had went over previously. Both the written and the pretrip test was combined and the average is your Midterm grade.
My Midterm Grade was 96

 

Week 4 we began offset backing (lane change). This was not near as hard as parallel. We started in one lane and went to the other then back again. At the end of the week we began to practice 90 degree backing. Wholly mother of god it was dificult. I thought I despised parallel until I was introduced to the 90 (Alley Dock). Parallel seemed like a cake walk. In the 90 you are so limited to the amount of room you have you really have to watch your angles. I know this will be very useful on the road but it is so dificult to accomplish with a limited time and number of pull ups. Unlike the parallel parking and offset you only have to do the 90 from the driver's side. The others you have to be able to do and get tested on both sides, driver and passenger side.

Here are some graphics describing the backing for anyone new :

 

This week we also tested on the offset backing. It is not so bad. On the CDL test you will not have to back into both lanes. They choose one, either left to right or right to left.
On Thursday we left early. That day we went over Tankers & Dbls/Trips. I then hitched a ride with a fellow classmate and we all went to the DMV to get our endorsements. This is a new thing the school is during and it began with my class.
Pretty much everyone got their endorsements. I got both of mine.

It was nice to get out of school early that day because the next day, Friday, we had to be there at 4AM for the Night Drive! That was a fun drive. The roads were empty and we were lit up like a comet on asphalt.
After the drive (which all usually lasts 30 minutes per student) we went back to class and took our final exams. Then we were back on the lot practicing the 90. Practice Practice Practice.

The final was a written test on everything we had previously went over in class. All the chapter we had read. It was very easy.

 

The last week we were graded on the 90. We began practicing the 45. It is similar to the 90 but more room. You will need to know this when going to Conway. It is one thing they test you on before you are placed with a finisher.

On Monday we drove to Joplin. It was nice to drive in a populated area so that we would not be shell shocked (too much anyway) when we finally went over the road.
I opted to drive last so I could drive through Joplin and all the way back to Neosho. I like to get as much drive time in as I can.

Another thing is that you want to jump in the driver's seat as much as possible. I did to the point my left knee was hurting so I had to give myself a rest. But do it as much as possible because you go in thinking 5 weeks is a long time but in actuality you leave wishing you had more time.

On Wednesday CDL testing began. You are required to do the pretrip. You will either get the whole pretrip or a section. Like the semi only, the left side of the semi only, the engine compartment only, or the trailer only. I got the left side of the entire semi, the truck and the trailer. You must do the coupling system. And everyone gets the in cab inspection. YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DO THE BRAKE TEST WITHOUT MISSING ANYTHING OR IT IS AN AUTO FAIL.

I only missed one thing on my whole pretrip so I passed. I missed the windshield wipers. I think I was just nervous.

Then you drive over to the CDL lot and they will tell you which lane you get in.
Everyone must do the straight line back which is easy peasy.
Then you will do ONE lane change which is not so bad.

THEN COMES THE DRAMATIC MOMENT. Will I get the parallel or will I get the god awful alley dock. Guess what. I got the god awful alley dock and failed it my first try. I just got stupid. I messed up my setup and it was all downhill from there.

So the big disappointment came and I could not retest it again until the next day. So I had to sit there and dwell on my mistake all night before I tested the next day.

So the next day came and THEN CAME THE DRAMATIC MOMENT AGAIN. Will I be so unlucky to get the alley dock again or will I luck out and get the parallel. Well I got the alley dock again!!! FOR REAL!!!
So I was PO'd. I must have ran them around that lot looking at how close I was to the barriers like a cat waiting to pounce a mouse. They blew the whistle at least 5 times but I did not cross the barrier!
I passed the alley dock!!!! Oh yeah!!!

 

The test was not over. I still had to take the road test and I was informed by the DOT official that was present during the test that I could not use a cushion during my test or it would be a requirement on my license. That sucked because I am 5'3" and liked the extra boost that enabled me to push the clutch to the floor without scooting halfway up the seat.

So in order to press the clutch fully I opted to use a truck that is known to have a highly sensitive gas pedal. Everyone in my class hated that truck. You have to touch the gass with the tip of your toes because it is so sensitive.
But that truck fit me like a glove. I felt tall in the seats and I learned how to shift it easily. The RPMS shifted different than the other trucks. I did great in that truck and passed my road test. I was even complimented afterward for being able to use that truck on the road test and doing so well.

I got my CDL!!! It was great! I will never forget it.

My advice to anyone going to Crowder would be to listen, be patient, DRIVE THE TRUCK don't let it drive you, pay attention to detail, and practice whenever you can.

I paid $95.00 at the DMV to get my CDL and endorsements. (Tanker & Dbls/Trips)
Since I am teaming with my husband at Conway I previously had gotten rid of our place and put everything into storage. So I did not have a proof of address to send my permanent CDL license to.
Crowder arranged so my license goes to them and they are mailing it to my mother-in-laws house for me.

I have my temp license to give to Conway at this point.

It is a holiday weekend so my Conway orientation will not start until Tuesday.
I am just that much closer to driving teams with my husband. I hope orientation will go great. I worked hard to get here and don't want to stop now.

I will post more during orientation.
Right now I am going to relax and enjoy the ammenities at Holiday Inn

 

Thank you everyone for the congrats!

I just finished my first day of orientation at Con-way.
Ok I will spell it right now since it is posted on everything I see..

I tend to get nervous doing new things until I settle in. So of course I did not know what to expect today.
Today was actually not as bad as I thought.
I went in filled out paperwork, talked to a different recruiter that verified my information. Oddly some research company looked up my work history and thought I had worked at Kroger before which I have not... That was the only strange thing that had happened.

I also had to take the drug test and physical today. A man was sent to get new glasses and has to postpone his orientation date because he failed the eye exam. Just a warning to everyone to have your ducks in a row before attending.
The physical was not that bad. I had to simulate stairs for 30 minutes, pull 100 lbs 3 times, push 80 lbs 3 times, crawl under something the height of a trailer and climb something the height of a trailer.
They test your heart rate while you do this so be sure to breath out when exerting energy.

Then we watched a video on the importance of safety. We filled out more paperwork and was sent on our way.

Tomorrow is the backing and road test. I thought I would be over being nervous about these test but I think the idea of someone testing me not the actual test is what makes me nervous.

Can't wait to finish testing. Hope I make the grade. Let you know tomorrow!