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My 1st week of school in the books!!!!!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Lspilot82, Jun 30, 2011.

  1. Jun 30, 2011 #1
    Lspilot82

    Lspilot82 Light Load Member

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    Aug 8, 2010
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    Hey guys my 1st week of school in almost in the books and according to my trainers I am doing pretty darn good and picking everything up really fast. The 1st week so far, I have passed my pretrip inspection test and only missed one thing. Since then I have been practicing yard skills and my 1st day in yard skills we were doing ally docking and the 1st time I did it pretty good and only had to pull up once, then the other 3 times I nailed it.

    Today, we were doing straight line backing and 1st time again I nail it and everytime there after, all the other students were giving me hell about it though...lol, saying there is no way I was a rookie, and I cant get back out the truck cause my head is so big..lol. I'm very humble though and never act like that. Then later on today before class let out we started practicing parallel parking and for the 1st time I was having trouble but seen and figured out what I was doing and on the 4th time trying nailed it. Tomorrow we are going to continue to parallel park and hopefully Ive figured it out and wont have to many problems anymore with that. All I have to accomplish now is blind side and offset docking and I'll be able to test for yard skills then I move on to road skills...I cant wait.

    Just to let you guys know also we are using a really short trailer for all this, I think its a 28 footer but not 100% sure, Ill find out tomorrow.

    Now I have to figure out what company I want to go to....I have alot of choices I guess, as many choices as possible being a rookie out of Florida, but things are looking good. I've talked to Convenent, Trans Am, US Xpress, JBS Carriers, Wil Trans, Squire, and thats it so far...so I have to start deciding who will be better for me. I'm leaning towards US Xpress, Wil Trans, JBS Carriers...what you guys think?
     
    Lspilot82, Jun 30, 2011
    Lspilot82, Jun 30, 2011
    #1
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  3. Jul 1, 2011 #2
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Sounds like you're picking it up fast, but don't get too complacent.....luck to ya'
     
    Allow Me., Jul 1, 2011
    Allow Me., Jul 1, 2011
    #2
  4. Jul 1, 2011 #3
    Lspilot82

    Lspilot82 Light Load Member

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    One thing I've learned from being a pilot is never get complacent and always expect the unexpected.
     
    Lspilot82, Jul 1, 2011
    Lspilot82, Jul 1, 2011
    #3
    BigJohn54 Thanks this.
  5. Jul 2, 2011 #4
    sbeatty1983

    sbeatty1983 Light Load Member

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    Jun 4, 2011
    Tupelo, MS
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    why would they train you with 28 foot trailers? The school i went to used 48 and 53 foot trailers.
     
    sbeatty1983, Jul 2, 2011
    sbeatty1983, Jul 2, 2011
    #4
  7. Jul 2, 2011 #5
    BigJohn54

    BigJohn54 Gone, but NEVER forgotten

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    SW Missouri
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    Both trailer lengths would have their advantages and disadvantages in training. You work a lot harder chasing a shorter trailer while backing. Still it would be a disservice to not know how a longer trailer makes turns.

    Good luck. Just remember, a CDL is a license to learn, just like a pilot certificate. Too bad they don't hammer this and many other things into your head like they do in aviation.

    I laugh when I read posts saying I'm not green anymore, I have 40,000 miles. IMHO, you start to cure out around 400,000+ miles (~3 years) and reach veteran status around a million miles (~7 years). I'm still working on my "veteran status".
     
    BigJohn54, Jul 2, 2011
    BigJohn54, Jul 2, 2011
    #5
    Ranger70 Thanks this.
  8. Jul 3, 2011 #6
    Ranger70

    Ranger70 Light Load Member

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    Aug 28, 2010
    Joliet Il
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    What they all say do not get to complacent. BigJohn, you speak the truth, I am closing in on 1 year, I only did 6 months OTR, now I drive in Chicago, oh joy, but I got what I wanted home everynite. I dont put on many miles a day being in the city, but the learning still contiues eveyday, and I can dock better than ever. To the OP the real learning comes when get on with someone and go over the road ,easy part rolling down the highway , hard part 1st time docking, rolling through a city that is bigger than a crackerjack box one that has some traffic,pulling in to TS trying to park knowing someone is watching you, trip planning , day planning, it is real easy to waste time and money , can I make this load legally. It is a big adjustment and not for everyone' but it is what you make of it, dont get to ####y with those back ups they aint all gonna be that easy but good job and good luck.
     
    Ranger70, Jul 3, 2011
    Ranger70, Jul 3, 2011
    #6
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