NC Truck Driver Training School

I'm doing good I think......I had all checks on my progress report until ride 5 with henry.Henry gave me 13 x's out of 23. I really was not surprised because every one in the class that rode with him said the one that drives first will catch the most hell. He's a really good instructor but I think he was mad at me .First thing that happen when coming out of the school parking lot I hit the curb.We was parked at an angle with a 53ft trailer,So I went left to clear the curb as I was going left he said "what are you doing stay right".As I'm turning the tractor the curb is in my kill zone,so i just looked in my convex as i hit the curb.He looked at me and said "why you hit the curb",I just started laughing........After that we was coming to a rail road crossing, right before I got there he said "give me one more gear" so I went to 4th gear right before crossing the rail road track(9 speed you cross in 3rd gear )He Said "why did you cross in 4th" I said you told me to give you one more gear.After that he stated "if you want to learn I'll teach you,if you don't we will just ride,we rode from smithfield to dunn with out really saying nothing to each other. I didn't call anything out but conflicting traffic a couple of times.I think everthing was a big misunderstanding but other than that I still respect him as instructor.He's a really good teacher.

 

How long did it take you to qualify on the 9 and 10 speed?

 

You will be okay, Jerell. Learning the 9 and 10's will come to you at your own pace.

Try not to stress over it too much. I know that is easier said than done.
There is so much pressure put on the student. Classroom studies,field and road training, it can really be so overwhelming. Plus, you may feel that you are competing with the other students and want to maintain the top of the class.
I struggled with different aspects of my training,so have many students before me and so will they in the future. You will get there, just keep your faith

Best!!!

 

I'm a little stressed out I'm on my 6th ride and I keep getting two x's........shift gears without forcing into gear is one and Excute turns properly.On the 9 speed route the block turn to 70 I screw this up every other ride...........some days it feels like you go from good to bad and then bad to good. Anyway I'm still hanging on until the End

 

Jerell10, I was in class 523. It tok me until my 11th and 12th ride to qualify on 9 & 10 spd. Try to remain calm and relaxed and focused you will do fine. Once you qualify on the first one, most all the pressure goes away and things will start to click.

 

Jerell, if it's any consolation my upshifting was fair but I sucked at downshifting when I graduated from class at SAGE and still managed to pass my road test. Afterwards, I told the Program Director that I was really concerned about it and if it would hurt me when I sign on with a carrier. She said not to worry and that I'll get the experience I need to feel more confident during my training with the carrier. I'm going to find out real soon as I head to Orientation with Schneider in Charlotte on Saturday, August 7th.

 

Anyone in NC go to Davidson Community College for CDL? They are PTDI accredited. Was just wondering... also for those already employed in NC... who you driving for? How is it where you are at? THANKS! BE SAFE!

 

I had considered the Davidson program, but it wasn't being offered when I was ready to start and I didn't feel like waiting until the Fall. The SAGE program at Surry Community College begins as soon as they get a minimum of 5 students. It's more pricey, but there's no sharing the truck with another driver when you hit the road with your instructor. I don't think SAGE is PTDI accredited, but that didn't seem to be of concern with the recruiters that came to visit (Magnum, Schneider, Werner, Roehl and a few local outfits).

 

Oh yea! I qualified on So1 yesterday and I qualified today on K1
Being relaxed play a big part in qualifying.

PCDoctor do they teach skip shifting at SAGE?

 

Good job on qualifying! Yes. I was taught to start in 2nd then go to 4 and 6 but that's where it ended. No skip shifting after 6th gear.

BTW, don't do what I did and wait 6 weeks before taking the plunge and signing on with a company. I had my reasons, but now I'm concerned about whether or not what few skills I learned will quickly come back to me when I head to Schneider this weekend or will I be a total basket case.

Do yourself a favor, research your pre-hires, pick one and start packing.