NC Truck Driver Training School

Serious Sam, how was the first day. I know being in the classroom all day was kinda boring. What did you think of Chris Chappel as your Lead Instructor. I was up there today at Lunch. Talked with Van and Chris, and talked to a few of the students. I'll try and get back up there sometime soon and maybe get to meet you. Things will get better as the week goes along.

 

Yeah, sitting in class all day was slightly boring but I understand that you learn to run before you can walk. And I like Chris a lot. I'm probably driving him half crazy with all my questions but I'm not shy. And we just got outside to do the pretrip and I got lucky and followed Donald around for awhile!!! I'll try to update more when I get to my computer later on.

Written on Jon's Ipod.

 

Van was our Lead Instructor, and I enjoyed having him as the Lead Instructor. I wish I was able to go and have Chris as the Lead Instructor and learn under him also. Being able to follow Donald around is not a bad thing, you will learn alot from him. Really you are going to learn alot from them all. When you have finished and graduated from class and start driving you start understand even more of all the things they are teaching you. Work hard and study hard, because as Andy always said " TEST DAY IS COMING".

 

Yeah, I like Van too. He seems like he really knows the business and loves trucking. You can tell when he talks about taking a turn, or coupling or whatever the subject is at the time.

It's funny that you say that "test day is coming", it seems that quite a few folks in my class are so preoccupied by the number of rank points or grade points that will be put upon us if we mess up, that they are slowing down the lectures while we are in class. I would hope that they will give us plenty of chances to practice our maneuvers before penalizing us all. Interesting to see what some people stress over though. We learn about transmissions tomorrow so I'm really excited about learning what makes everything go "zoom-zoom". hehehehehehe

And yes, if you come by the school again, please introduce yourself. I'm in the number 4 seat on the far side of the room but you'll know it's me if I'm walking around the halls.... mostly by looking for my black and yellow backpack I carry around all the time!!

 

There will be plenty of practice on the skills so you can get them right. The key is to take their instuction and apply it, and work on it. The phrase " TEST DAY IS COMING " I think Andy used to get us motivated and work harder. I'm sure in the next couple of days you will be able to tell who's motivated and who is not. As far as the student stressing over rank points, the first few days they will correct you without giving rank points. The one thing they will give rank points for first is a lost mirror. I will have to say by some of the students I've seen, their are some characters is you class also.

 

Hey David, it was great to meet you the other day!! Thanks for taking a few minutes to give me some more advice. I'll take as much as I can get.

Haven't been on for a while 'cuz I've been going through my classes. Good news is.... I got to drive an 18-wheeler (a Volvo) for the very first time today!! I drove for about an hour down US301 just north of I-95 (near Kenly and Wilson) and you know what I think about my experience???

I HAD A BLAST!!!!!!!!

It was tons of fun! I drove with Donald at shotgun and he didn't make me nervous at all. In fact, he kept it light with a few jokes here and there and corrected me in the nicest way possible. But I learned tons and tons today (not only while I was driving, but the other 3 guys too). I messed up a few times trying to get the whole double clutch thing consistently executed AND especially having to "rev the engine to get into the next highest gear" thing but for the most part, I think I did pretty darned good. Donald must have thought so also because I got all check marks and for a comment, he said "Very good". So I'm calling today a success.

Can't wait until next week when I get to drive on the road every other day (we've got some parking lot exercises to do on the other days of the week) And, assuming most of you guys want to hear about it..... I'll try to keep y'all posted as the days and weeks go by.

- Jon (a.k.a. Serious Sam)

 

Jon, sorry for this late reply, but just got back from the beach. Glad you did good on your first day of driving. Stay possitive brcause your next ride you could have problems. Several times I had good rides and the very next time blow up. And it was nice to get to meet you the other day also. Some times it is nice to be able to put names and faces together. Stay focued and keep up the good work.

 

Hello all from class 524 (JCC) i just found this page so here i am. I have nothing but great things to say about this school,the instructors are all very patient with you,and the tractors take alot of abuse without saying much. Johnston community college Truck Driver Training School is hands down the best.

J C C
Mrs. Della McMillian (secretary)
(Smithfield, N.C.)

 

I start orientation at Roehl on the 16th of Nov.

 

Hello Lastat best of luck with Roehl

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