National Training FL

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by OV-104, Mar 26, 2012.

  1. OV-104

    OV-104 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 4, 2012
    Palm Bay, FL
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    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!
     
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  3. Rick_C

    Rick_C Light Load Member

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    Mar 11, 2012
    Denver, CO
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    Good luck!
    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 :biggrin_255:)

    Sorry for the rant; I am curious to hear how your schooling is going.
    Take care and Good luck!
     
  4. OV-104

    OV-104 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 4, 2012
    Palm Bay, FL
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    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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  5. Rick_C

    Rick_C Light Load Member

    152
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    Mar 11, 2012
    Denver, CO
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    I found their website and it appears to be the same company. I guess they only have their Florida school running now; don't know about others that may have been open and now closed besides the Denver location.

    Looking forward to your posts!
     
  6. cjakes

    cjakes Bobtail Member

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    Mar 16, 2010
    jacksonville, fl
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    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.
     
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  7. OV-104

    OV-104 Bobtail Member

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    26
    Mar 4, 2012
    Palm Bay, FL
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    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...
     
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  8. DrtyDiesel

    DrtyDiesel Road Train Member

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    Feb 14, 2010
    Jacksonville, FL
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    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
     
  9. crosscut

    crosscut Light Load Member

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    Feb 23, 2009
    FL
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    Hey ov..What a small world, i live in Malabar..good luck to ya
     
  10. OV-104

    OV-104 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 4, 2012
    Palm Bay, FL
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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.
     
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  11. DrtyDiesel

    DrtyDiesel Road Train Member

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    Feb 14, 2010
    Jacksonville, FL
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    You'll enjoy the Palatka run. Lots of close quarter maneuvering in real traffic lol

    Ethan
     
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