Starting Community College Driving School Tomorrow

A few. The thing that I find most annoying about the textbook so far is the use of and reference to photos that are little more than pictures of trucks.

For instance, on page 77 the book says in the text:

"A tractor-trailor consist of many parts and systems, and while each of these parts and systems perform many specific jobs, they must all work together -- much like the organs and systems of the human body work together in healthy people (see Figure 4-1)."

BTW Figure 4-1 is just a picture of a red conventional Peterbuilt pulling a dry van. With the caption "A tractor-trailer is made up of many parts and systems"

So, it shows us a picture of a RED tractor-trailer as if we've never seen one before. Yet fails to show any of the "many parts and systems".

Then it the text goes on to say:

"If a tractor is to work efficiently and effectively, each of its systems must work individually and as a group in order for the tractor to pull its cargo down the road. (see Figure 4-2).

Now Figure 4-2 is a picture of a BLUE Kenworth pulling a blue trailer, with the caption: "The various systems on a tractor-trailer must work together to perform effectively."

Again, again as if we've never seen a Blue tractor-trailer before! Doesn't bother to perhaps show a diagram of some of these mysterious "various systems on a tractor-trailer" that must "work together to perform effectively."

I can just hear the editorial team discussion now:

Editor #1: "Should we put in some useful diagrams and charts about the systems we're discussing here?"

Editor #2: "Nah, that would be too hard. Let's fascinate the readers by putting in picture of a RED tractor-trailer here, and a BLUE tractor-trailer here instead!" They'll be amazed!!




So, yes, some inconsistency. Lot's of redundancy (as my above example shows) and lots of general pictures of trucks that add little to the explanation of the topic.

Had I wanted a book with just a bunch of pictures of trucks, I'm sure I could have found a coffee table book somewhere with a title like "Big Rigs" or somthing!!

 

Well, after a week in the books, we finally were able to move a truck today!

Worked on "floating" with and without a trailer. Did a very little backing.

Looking forward to tomorrow!!

 

You're very welcome. Sorry I haven't been posting every day as I intended when I started this, just been sorta busy. We're trying to compress 4 weeks into 3 because of the holidays, and are hitting it pretty hard every day.

I'm sure you'll have a great experience. You've already gotten your new career off on the right foot by avoiding the company schools and CDL mills!!

Let us know how it goes.

 

Sorry I haven't been posting every day as I intended when I started this, just been sorta busy. We're trying to compress 4 weeks into 3 because of the holidays, and are hitting it pretty hard every day.

And we've had some less than perfect weather that has adversely impacted our time on the driving range. So, we'll trying to compress even more "pad work" into fewer days.

Since my last update, we've gotten fully into the "Joys of Backing!!!" and covered coupling/uncoupling, etc. We hook and unhook the trailers everyday so we're practicing that as we go along.

So far we've covered the following backing drills:

Straight
Right offset (yesterday and today)
Left offset (yesterday and today)
Alley dock (today)
Driver's side parallel (today and tomorrow)
Blind side parallel (tomorrow)

Sore knees and hands. I'm sure I'll work through it.

The McElroy recruiter came by today. Nice guy, seems like a good company. Flatbeds that never run more than 2.5 days from your home and you're guaranteed home every weekend. The owner is a member of a religion that will not allow him or his employees to work on Sundays. So, you leave out after midnight on Sunday nights and are back on Thursdays/Fridays. 100% no touch freight. All palletized and loaded/unload with fork lifts. Recruiter said "we're hiring truck drivers, not fork lift operators. So we don't want our drivers touching freight, AT ALL!" Pay starts at $0.40/mile. 35% tarp loads. Said you have to be able to lift and carry 100-120 lb tarps.

I've applied there, but not sure if I really want to skateboard my first year or so. But if I did, they'd be one of the companies that I'd seriously consider.

Well, that's about it for now. Hopefully we finish up the backing drills tomorrow and hit the roads on Monday!!

Safe travels everyone!

 

Friday Update: More backing! LOTs of Backing!

Sight side parallel - just took me a few tries to understand what I was doing and to get it in there consistently, but I think I have it down now.

Blind-side parallel - WOW!!! Extremely difficult for me. I need more work on this one, but due to the "compressed" schedule and some weather delays, I might not get much more of an opportunity to work on it.

I'm told that doing a blind-side parallel in school is PROBABLY the only time I'll ever have to do one. So, I'm hoping that's true.

Supposed to start "road driving" on Monday. Looking forward to that. We're probably going to drive long days to get our training hours in before the holidays. But I'm eager to get started on that!

Getting closer and closer to test/graduation/license day!!

A little nervous because one of my potential employers requires an 85% overall average in the course. Not sure what I have now, should have a 100% in the bookwork and log books, but have no idea how we're being "graded" on the driving portion yet. So, a little apprehensive about that. But I guess I shouldn't worry about it. I'll get what I get based on my performance, huh?!

I did double check and make sure that even though I'm attending a community college, they won't be putting any grades on my college transcript. So, my college 4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is not in jeopardy! Yaay!

More updates as I have something to share and time to do so.

Everyone be safe!