Getting nervous

More then likely you will settle in. Especially considering as you say, you are fine once you get in the truck.

When you are out there working and in the truck for 10, 12, or 24 hours a day you simply won't have time to get so nervous!

It didn't really hit me until after school and I started getting my first full load rolling down the road. --A real eye opener! The truck handled great, but it was so much more "work" getting up to speed with the load on that I realized THAT was the real deal.

 

That feeling you get can be a good thing, It will help you to stay alert and drive safe just don't let it stop you completely and you will do fine, and ignore those that say man up and hammer down there the ones that cause wrecks, i've driving a long time and have no tickets or wrecks so far thats cause I still get those butterflys to these day, they help you to do the rigjt thing, be safe and enjoy the road, if you treat the road with respect it will treat you with respect, its a shame theres so many drivers out here that don't follow rules and make the road so unsafe, that includes all cars trucks and buses. Now relax.and let the good times roll. B104 10-4

 

I just graduated school and went to DMV and passed the first go around. And yes i was terrified of that truck and had problems downshifting but practice makes perfect and i got the hang of it and now im real comfortable driving...you will get the hang of it and that nervous feeling will eventually go away

 

If your not nervous at first your a nut

 

Definitely agree. I was nervous in my first load.

To the OP, I was out for 20 days in the truck then went home for 4 days. On the 5th day when I got back in the saddle I was really nervous for the 1st 100 miles, then once I got back on the interstate and away from my home town I was fine.

Give it time, it'll come to you and you get comfortable driving this thing down the road. Just remember to respect the machine and the road.

 

Carry the gear a little longer, almost to the point of lugging the engine; let your gut and ear tell you when to down shift.

This works for most: Down shift to 9th (10 spds) only after your speed has gone below 45 (Remember: 45 OR 4+5=9)

35 ( 35 / 3+5=8 )
25 ( 25 / 2+5=7 )
15 ( 15 / 1+5=6 )

I skip shift when down shifting in most cases unless condition calls for me to be in a higher gear than skip shifting would put me in; ie traffic slowed from 55-60 down to 40, I would take 9th, etc.

Low side is easy to figure; below 14 is 5th unless you are stopping then pay attention to your stopping distance, mirrors, and braking until you are lugging and then grab 3rd.

Remember to make a full sweep of ALL your mirrors before and after each gear change, up or down, in addition to your usual sweeps. When stopping, mirror checks are very important to ensure you are straight.

Relax, it's just a truck.

 

After you've been driving a bit,you'll become more confident in your abilities. That will calm your nerves.
What you're going thru is normal. Take a deep breath, take your time and make your actions diliberate and you'll be fine.

 

Right there with you. Not get physically ill, but I can appreciate the anxiety. Just take baby steps and listen to the trainer. The worst thing that could happen (with a sound minded person) is just being told to STOP! and having to stop the truck quicker than you would like.

It will subside with repetition. It has been with me.

Best of luck to you though.

Breathe in.... Breathe out....