SDIA, Indianapolis, IN?

Well, week one went by like that *snaps fingers*! We covered a lot of topics this week. We do classroom/lab work in the morning, and we do range work in the afternoon. This last week's class topics were driver health and fitness, logs and hours of service (I'm sure we'll cover more on that later), the all-important pre-trip inspection, and Smith System training. Smith System was super fun; all 4 of us piled in an SUV and drove around Indy and demonstrated various "keys" of the System while we took turns driving.

Our range work this week consisted of pre-trip practice, and we started backing. Note to self, remember to release TRAILER brakes as well as TRACTOR brakes before attempting to move the truck! Considering I've never backed a trailer, let alone a 53-foot one, I think I did pretty well.

Even though we had our permits, there are still lots of things they wanted to cover with us in the classroom. Hours of service, for instance, as well as driver fitness and Smith System. The instructors are very knowledgeable, and want to make sure we have plenty of theoretical background to go along with the practical application of skillls.

 

Another week is flying by! I took my first drive on the road today, after a few hours driving around an abandoned airport parking lot to practice shifting. Man, isn't it funny how you can feel like you've got a skill under control, and then when you go on the road, all the confidence goes out the window. My instructor had to bail me out of a corner that I took too tightly today, so as you can imagine my pride took a serious blow. But, I learned few valuable lessons from the experience, like remembering to take corners as wide as possible, and to remember my shift points. Also, if you get stuck during a shift, don't worry about the shift, just get the vehicle under control! I know that I'll get it, and that it just takes a lot of practice, but I definitely feel a little low right now. Tomorrow can only be better!

 

Well, sorry for all but ignoring this thread! Just an update, I passed my CDL test on the first try, and am now set to start on Monday as a trainee driver at Old Dominion! My school experience was wonderful and I recommend anyone in the Indianapolis area who is looking to become a professional driver to check out SDIA!