Millis Training Institute - Cartersville 2019

Day 6 (Monday of Week 2) was spent on the backing range. We learned to Offset Backing Left-to-Right and Driver's Side Parallel. Parallel park a semi? Many people cannot parallel park a sedan.

Day 7 (Tuesday of Week 2) was also spent on the backing range. We started the morning doing the Pre-Trip Inspection. Then moved on to practicing the two maneuvers that we learned Day 6. In the afternoon we learned the Offset Backing Right-to-Left and Blind Side Parallel parking. Same thing, just opposite direction.

 

Day 8 (Wednesday of Week 2) was spent on the backing range. The Pre-Trip Inspection followed by introduction to the 90º Alley Dock backing maneuver. The entire day was spent with two trucks, five students, and one instructor out on the backing range.

Day 9 (Thursday of Week 2) was spent on the backing range. See a trend here? Started with a Pre-Trip inspection followed by practicing each maneuver in a pattern. We did the Blind Side Parallel, followed by both Offset Backings and Straight Line, then Driver Side Parallel, to end with the 90º Alley Dock. It looked like a truck ballet out there.

Our instructor, Jack, is great at keeping everyone moving and those trucks separated. Some parts of the course overlap which adds to the difficulty.

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Day 10 (Friday of Week 2) culminates with a test on backing maneuvers. The staff said that anyone failing this test does not go on. That means headed home. The end of a dream for some.

None of us are Super Truckers. Our instructor likes to say two weeks ago, we could barely spell truck, let alone drive one. My biggest weakness is the sight side parallel. The youngest in our group can do that maneuver like a boss. It takes humility to do this job. Get Out And Look!

We ran over to the Walmart and bought a couple toy trucks, before spending a few hours, in the hotel breakfast area, parking toy trucks on a makeshift course of coffee creamer cones.

When the test came, we all took our time. If in doubt GOAL. Use the pull-ups. The end result was all five of us passed our backing test. We may have tested individually, but we passed as a team. It isn't easy to remember that if you want the trailer to go right, you have to turn left.

Watch some YouTube videos, look for some diagrams in your CDL manual. Play with a toy truck. And remember, you can learn a lot from a dummy.

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Just a little more of the teamwork aspect. CDL School is not a competition. You will not look better if you pass and one of your classmates fail. Think of it this way; If your classmates know their maneuvers, they will finish faster on the course, giving everyone more seat time to practice.

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The third week at MTI - Cartersville is time to get in a truck and take to the road. It's what we all are here to do. On Monday, we took a trip to Alabama and on Tuesday we took a trip to Tennessee. Everyone got about an hour and a half of seat time. We got to see a variety of terrain and road types.

Driving through small towns, mountains, two lane highways, and interstates. Tomorrow we are headed to Albany, Georgia bright and early in the morning.

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Wednesday, Week 3. "I've always wanted to drive in Atlanta early morning traffic," said no one, ever. Today we made our round trip from Cartersville to Albany (GA). I drove first. I understand how trip planning is crucial to avoiding congested areas, like Atlanta.

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After my part of the drive, which was from Cartersville to Jackson, the other students took their turns and we made a round trip to Albany (GA). The terminal there has their company lunch on Wednesdays. Yesterday was steak and potatoes. Now that is good eating.

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