I'm not understanding what the free driving training is about...

I disagree with the logic that a person who never drove a stick will learn how to drive a truck faster. A person who drove a car with a manual transmission knows what the clutch is and what it does. It's simply a matter of learning a new shifting technique. In my CDL class the students who never drove stick were a mess. One popped the clutch so fast while unhooking from a trailer the truck bucked forward like a wild horse, then while rolling he slammed on the brake (without clutch) and stalled the truck. That is manual tranny 101 that every manual car driver knows.

 

I would say something to the program coordinator regarding you not receiving the training you were supposed to get so others do t suffer the same fate.

Also, I hope you resolve your situation.

 

The training companies I remember actually Preferred someone with no manual experience,because you didn't have the bad habits of floating,single clutching or not downshifting.Just seems strange

 

Yeah, I'm having trouble buying that one as well. I had several people in my school that never drove manual. Thinking there's more to that story.

 

Sir, nothing is free. Read the contract, they own your ### for a low cpm for the first year. Some companies longer than that and some companies (like Caledon) include a minimum number of miles (meaning you're going to get alot of short haul).

These bottom-feeders get grant money for hiring and training you and making you their #####.

Do yourself a favor, make a trip to your local department of labor and apply for a grant. You'll be in control of your future.

 

I would agree. We had a guy in our class back up a tractor to hook a trailer and he was going too fast, so he hit the brakes without putting in the clutch and snapped a u joint...
And the driveline clunked to the ground.

The truck had just had new u joints put in the day before!

I think instructors should take students aside if they have never driven a clutch and give them a short course on clutches.

At least students who have driven a clutch before have a basic understanding of what a clutch does.

 

I never paid CRE a penny. My credit is excellent ! Didn't finish my 6 months contract either

 

Thanks for all the helpful information, guys.

The training was a course through BOCES in upstate ny, and I got in through a state grant program, so it wasnt a truck driving school but a course within a state school.