Old Beat Up Semi - Had my First Lesson Today, it was a complete chaos

Sounds like a typical clapped out truck most companies seem to be running around Western Canada these days. Guess that's what happens when rates get driven so far into the toilet they reach the septic tank lol.

 

Broken Mirror? Clutch needs adjustment? Sounding like one of those 'Get Your AZ/Class 1 (Cdl) Schools for only $600 or just 4 payments of $155/Mth Gimmicks'. No way I'm paying a dime unless their equipment has no flaws and completely legal for the road especially if that is the school teaching me and they should know this. Most good Government certified Trucking Schools start at around $7500 whiles Colleges imo are better but start around $9300 (plus Taxes). Back in 1993 prices were around $2400 - $3000 for these types of Truck Driving School training that also had job placement opportunities afterwards. Point being you usually get what you pay for.

 

Sorry, I'm just gonna roll with it and respond. Don't take it personally, what I'm gonna say is for all new truck drivers/students.

My first day, approaching a Class 8 truck from the rear that was about 13' tall (3.9 meters for Canucks) had me thinking "What the hell have I gotten myself into?, followed by a knot in my stomach and constant sweaty hands. I didn't know squat about big trucks, or driving them but dayyum that truck looked huuge. But I learned, and am still learning.

Your quote above would be enough for me to start school there. Learning to drive a Class 8 truck is not a quick and easy thing. This isn't a video game, and there is no instant gratification in trucking.

If your feet hurt, don't blame the pedals, ditch your footwear for proper workboots. The sneakers or flipflops can come later when you're driving a new plastic truck with an automatic. Your legs and shins and calves and maybe feet (but less with proper footwear) are gonna be sore for the first 6 months driving every day. Thats how it is.

Now, my whine: So, your first day, and you want them to let you tear up a newer truck? And even though you've never driven a truck, you already know the clutch needs adjustment? Is it not as smooth as your Honda Civic? They didn't explain that on YouTube? Really? And all those pedals are hard to push?

How about a photo of this broken right mirror? Read the little green book SS 393.80 on mirrors. Yes, I get it that you're in Canada. All mine mentions is that the mirror offers "a view" down the side of the truck. How bad is the mirror? Cracked? Don't matter, you've got a view until they fix it. Did one of your classmates run into something, and they just haven't gotten it fixed yet? Smoke coming out? And?

New drivers tear the #### out of trucks. Welcome to trucking.

My advice? You've got one mouth and 2 ears. Listen to your instructor and do what they tell you to do, and do YOUR job, which is to learn, not complain. Don't be a whiner, just pay attention.

I wish you good luck, and safe driving.

 

The truck they describe, we used to run down the road,,,,as long as the CB worked, get going already!!