Scared nervous and just a big mess!

Thanks.
I agree 100 percent. The fear element, at least for me, was more of a, "Will I fail at this and not be able to support my family?" kind of thing. I think this is more present in drivers who are completely new to the industry who have jumped in the deep end, so to speak.

The respect part is something I've always had and it grows stronger every day that I'm out there doing this job. That other poster is right about how a driver shouldn't be all white-knuckled with fear every minute of the day behind the wheel. But calmness comes with familiarity. You can be calm and alert and unafraid, but respectful of the dangers.

For me, the hardest part of learning this job is the challenge of thinking like a safe driver. I needed to consciously slow down my thinking, not get ahead of myself, and consider what I was doing right then and be deliberate in my driving, hooking/unhooking routines, tire checks, paperwork, etc.

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast, as they say.
The other day I was given a slot assignment to drop a trailer at a brewery. I pulled up, set up, jacked it and backed it into what looked like an impossibly narrow slot only a few weeks ago before I even realized I was doing it.
How did that happen?! Progress...

It's never easy being the new guy.
I hope the OP got through that learning curve...

 

Maneuvering a truck is distance and angles. Can i shoe horn that truck in there? It just takes time to know.

 

Congrats brother ..I knew u would make...PIECE OF CAKE!...WELCOME ABOARD!

 

Hell yeah! Whoo hoo! Congratulations "driver"
Never let no punk tell you what you can or cant do.
Now focus on the moment and whatever you do, your license comes 1st, 2nd, 3rd and on and on. Be slow and be confident, and always remember this one:
-if you're not sure you fit, don't get in it.

 

Alright! Congratulations bro!

 

Congrats! Hopefully I will soon as well. Good luck and be safe.

 

Congratulations!!

About half of all people that try to get a CDL succeed.
About half of those that get their CDL are accepted to a company orientation.
About half of those that get to orientation successfully complete it and are hired.
About half of those that start training complete the training successfully and go solo or team.

Make sure that you will be one of the 6.25%. Be a sponge and soak up as much as you can during training so you can have a great career.

A moment I burned into my memory banks is when my older brother said, "Want to see my most valuable possession?"

I said, "Sure!"

He pulled out his CDL. "I protect this at all costs. With it I have income and a future. Without it I go back to being a civilian."

 

Congrats brother. Don't forget Get out and look. Even after 3.5 years I still sometimes goal.

Also know your limits and don't let anyone push you beyond your limits, and please, for the love of god, don't work for swift. LMAO

 

Congratulations ! Welcome to the family