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Start orientation 5/9

Discussion in 'TMC' started by Colorato, May 2, 2011.

Page 3 of 6
  1. May 16, 2011 #21
    prfirefighter

    prfirefighter Bobtail Member

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    Apr 20, 2011
    pea ridge, ar
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    thank you for the info keep posting how it goes while your there
     
    prfirefighter, May 16, 2011
    prfirefighter, May 16, 2011
    #21
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  3. May 16, 2011 #22
    Colorato

    Colorato Road Train Member

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    Day 8. Got to do some driving today. Trucks are awesome. Even the trucks they call junk are nice. Getting use to the 13 speed isn't as difficult as it may first seem. Started off the day with driving on the street, followed by lunch, simulators and then some backing. I now get the "tap tap" reference. I had "touch touch" tho.

    Be prepared. They don't care how you did it in school when it comes to backing. They have a system and they want you to use it period.
     
    Colorato, May 16, 2011
    Colorato, May 16, 2011
    #22
    MD STEELERS FAN and Gears Thank this.
  4. May 17, 2011 #23
    Colorato

    Colorato Road Train Member

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    Day 9. More driving today. You'll drop and hook a trailer today. I was really surprised how many people didn't get to do this at there school. More extensive driving today. Went into downtown Des Moines. Not to bad. Just take your time. There trailers have a dump valve that lets the air out the rear trailer axle. It doesn't lift it completely just enough to make it where the trailer turns of the front trailer axle (remember TMC has spread axle trailers). More simulators and backing as well.
     
    Colorato, May 17, 2011
    Colorato, May 17, 2011
    #23
    Gears Thanks this.
  5. May 18, 2011 #24
    Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    How do you dump this air while going down the road?
     
    Gears, May 18, 2011
    Gears, May 18, 2011
    #24
  7. May 18, 2011 #25
    FirNaTine

    FirNaTine Light Load Member

    280
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    Nov 12, 2008
    South Jersey
    0
    While I think its only done for turning, there is a switch on the dash that you flip right before your turn to dump the air, then flip back again after the turn is completed.

    As for drop and hooking I didn't learn this till the last day of my CDL school and we had to ask them to practice it.

    And yes even the old TMC beater trucks are tons better than the ones I worked with at Smith & Solomon Trucking school.
     
    FirNaTine, May 18, 2011
    FirNaTine, May 18, 2011
    #25
  8. May 18, 2011 #26
    Linte_Loco

    Linte_Loco Road Train Member

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    Apr 24, 2011
    LA (lower Alabama)
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    Wonder how it works backing in a tight spot:biggrin_25525:
     
    Linte_Loco, May 18, 2011
    Linte_Loco, May 18, 2011
    #26
  9. May 18, 2011 #27
    Colorato

    Colorato Road Train Member

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    You only dump the air when turning. There is a switch in the cab. And before you ask no you wont forget to put the air back in because it dings the entire time the switch is flipped. It can make a world of difference backing. To demo they set a cone by the back tire on the trailer, flip the switch and then pull up about 4 ft left or right. The back wheels walk sideways it's a trip

    Day 10 more driving, simulators, and backing. They show you how to do a 90 degree back today but don't want you to do them. Just want you to know how. The reason being is if you have the tractor jack knifed from the trailer it will pivot on the 5th wheel badly. Last day driving is tomorow

    Also meet our training coordinators today. Luckily I have a trainer within 65 miles of my home.

    2 to go.
     
    Colorato, May 18, 2011
    Colorato, May 18, 2011
    #27
    Gears Thanks this.
  10. May 19, 2011 #28
    Colorato

    Colorato Road Train Member

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    Day 11. Last day of backing and driving. Today was a long one. All in all I'd say I'm happy with this orientation. I've learned something new everyday and my scores and abilities have gone up everyday. Tomorrow we will be getting medical cards and comm data cards and etc. Getting rental cars and heading out.

    Got a different trainer than I was originally told. This ones farther away but I'll get home on the weekends if he does.

    Remember it ain't over till it's over. We lost 2 more guys today.

    Home stretch baby!!!
     
    Colorato, May 19, 2011
    Colorato, May 19, 2011
    #28
    Gears Thanks this.
  11. May 21, 2011 #29
    FirNaTine

    FirNaTine Light Load Member

    280
    84
    Nov 12, 2008
    South Jersey
    0
    Sounds like your doing fine. Thats the key, showing improvement every day. And its a good idea to not not to think your home free. We lost guys all the way up until the last day almost.

    As for the trainer sometimes you have to go far. I live right outside Philly and my trainer lived right outside DC in Virgina so it was a long ride home after coming home for the weekends.
     
    FirNaTine, May 21, 2011
    FirNaTine, May 21, 2011
    #29
  12. May 21, 2011 #30
    Colorato

    Colorato Road Train Member

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    Feb 22, 2011
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    Home now. Got here at 12:30 this morning. Got to meet my trainer tomorrow at 12. First load.... New York city. Lol.
     
    Colorato, May 21, 2011
    Colorato, May 21, 2011
    #30
    Gears Thanks this.
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