Well, finally made it to Green Cove Springs, FL. Tomorrow will be day 1 with National. Looking forward to getting started. For now just kicking back at the Green Cove Springs Inn and reviewing my home study course material. I think we have a test first thing to see what we've retained from the course. I'll keep updating as the training goes. Wish me luck!
National Training FL
Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by OV-104, Mar 26, 2012.
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I'm curious to know if the National school you are attending is affiliated with the National school that used to be in Denver (now closed)?
Went with an old girlfriend up to their Denver school to speak with a recruiter (this was in 1986). I asked the recruiter what opportunities for women in trucking were generally available; he replied, "...lots of opportunites and demand for women truck drivers, I even got a call from [local grocery store chain] asking about women grads from this school!"
I can only assume the recruiter was blowing smoke (or inhaling, lol) as I don't think that an employer (even in 1986) would be asking specifically for females.
The GF signed up and had the home study materials for a while but then got hired by the local transit agency to drive city buses and never pursued trucking. We're not together now so I have no idea if she's still driving a city bus, went back OTR or??? (nor do I really care)
Sorry for the rant; I am curious to hear how your schooling is going.
Take care and Good luck! -
Not sure if it is the same. Day 1 is over. Long day...First was some orientation then by 9:30 we went out to the backing pad. The instructors demonstrated coupling/uncoupling, alley dock, offset backing and parallel parking. After lunch we did straight line backing. Went pretty well. To end the day we spoke to the career counselor and had a little more class time. Tomorrow we will be on the backing pad all day. They do split the class, half is doing backing while the other half is on the shifting track. Busy day it was. Well, I'll give another update tomorrow. Later everyone!
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Looking forward to your posts! -
I went to the school in 08 and they have a great program you will be able to drive upon graduation and know what your doing enjoy and ask plenty of questions they will help as much as possible.
Rick_C Thanks this. -
Day 2 complete. Spent the first part of the day on the backing pad. Had our group doing 90 degree alley docks, offset backing and more straight line backing. My left leg was getting pretty tired. Stiff clutches on these trucks. Thought I did fairly well, but definitely need more practice. Funny thing, the offset backing gave me more trouble than the alley dock. Go figure.
Second part of day was spent coupling and uncoupling. The truck they use is an old cabover, what a pain climbing in and out of the thing! It also had a touchy clutch, hard to ease it out. One time during coupling I thought I almost ripped the kingpin out. Wham! I got better after a couple of more times though. Finished the day with about an hour of classroom. Overall fun day. Tomorrow will be on the shifting track. Will finally be able to do more than low and reverse...
More to come...Spacecoast Thanks this. -
I went to national. I live an hour from the school. You will learn a TON. They are not just some cdl mill, they have knowledgeable instructors.
If skip is still there you'll enjoy his humor. I thought he was a riot.
Let me know which road truck your in. I was in 95. 97 has a wicked shimmy at 45 but soothes out once you get faster than that.
Their supposed to be buying new trucks sometime this year. I also had Harold as my road instructor. He was pretty awesome. Ill be going to the open house on April 21st to talk to people about going to the school. I'm also going to talk to students about Roehl. I know id rather have an actual company driver talk to me about the company rather than a recruiter although ken is pretty straight forward.
Keep is updated bro!!! I love that school. My favorite was going around the shifting track on the back side and turning on the Jake's on that old cummins lol
Ethan -
Hey ov..What a small world, i live in Malabar..good luck to ya
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Thanks Crosscut! DD, Skip is my road instructor and I'm driving truck 93, a Freightliner.
Day 3 complete. Spent the first part of the day going over pre-trip inspections. They are very thorough here. After that it was on to the shifting track. Rough start for me. It is like you have to unlearn what you know about driving a stick shift. I have to remind myself not to overclutch. Just bump the pedal. I'm always pushing the clutch too far. But I can say I showed great improvment by the end of the day. Tomorrow we will be heading out on the road. I'll let everyone know how it goes.The Challenger and DrtyDiesel Thank this. -
EthanThe Challenger Thanks this.
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