I'm not complaining BUT.....

So I'm in day 12 or so at school and am enjoying it thus far. Really! I look forward to the crew that have become "the regulars" since I started to test & pass. It has been exciting watching others test and pass but I don't know them. I am getting better fellas, doing my loading dock I still need guidance in backing up but,######! I'm gonna get it! The gripe I have is; we have but 1 truck and basically take turns, it is a first come first serve set up and I know we silently hope before we get there that there be a small turnout for the day. the wait can sometimes be over 1hr before you get another run. The one thought that goes through my mind when I'm getting out the truck is,"i gotta do that again"! Goof thing it's a 6 month school although I don't want to stretch it out that far.
I want to get to the place where I can basically do my off set and alley dock blindfolded but would settle without having to pull up as much!
Just an update!

 

one truck, and how many students?

frankly at only one truck, that's gotta be one poor school you're going to.

what about the number of instructors?

what about the number of road trucks?

if all else, then wait your turn.

maybe instead of first come first serve, how about just agreeing to who is first, second, etc,etc..??

any way's good luck

 

Very few people feel confident leaving CDL school and taking the test. School is just to pass the DMV test. You learn the other 90% of the job working at your first company.

The speed you can do the maneuver and the number of pull-ups only count in school and at DMV test. In the real world not backing into stuff is the only real goal. My first years I would take 30 minutes or more getting backed into certain difficult customers. I would literally be sweating, even though it was cold outside and I was running the air conditioner full blast trying to stay cool while working to get backed in.

 

One instructor, we average about 6-8 students at a time. On any given day it is about an 1hr 1 1/2 hr wait before you get another run. I think I should point out this school is $4600 a difference of $3000 from other schools, so, as the saying goes, you get what you paid for.

 

And there is a sign in list we follow. So basically, while you wait we go and practice our pre-trip inspection. I dunno, I've seen many students pass their CDL since I've been there. everybody is working so we can't sit there all day and, unlike other schools (3 week before you test) your $4600 bought you 6 months

 

In backing in school and DMV against time. But in real world no.

I Remember having to back a spread axle flatbed in Dumas Tx to a side dock around a couple of dozen random rail cars in between many of them to get to dock. Took me a hour. Part of the problem was the windows were shut along with vents being shut due to flies that summer. Mounds of flies.

Backing in school will come to you sooner or later. In the real world you don't hit anything. If you did its your fault and preventable etc. Heck there has been times she wont fit going forward and I break stuff going forward ha...

We all took turns but divided into groups of four with a variety of trucks on the property, two for the road and rest were yard.

 

My school 1 on 1 and less than that.

 

I don't doubt that, but you're not in Tampa

 

Thank you A!
I have thought about this idea myself. I would have to rent both truck and trailer cause I don't have the "hitch"(?) on my vehicle. I'd be paying more than anticipated but.....I'm in. After all, practice is the only way to "get this".