Starting in Trenton 8/22

Day 5 is done. Was shown the correct way to do a pre-trip to pass the cdl test, get to actually do them from here on out. Worked on coupling and uncoupling, straight line backing, and drove around the lot with this big 53' box chasing us. Went over to MillerCoors to check out the yard there and look over beer loads. Meet the guy who's truck feel in a whole, was nice enough to show us the pictures of that. He also let us look under the hood of his T700 so we could see what the engine is like in it.

Straight line went ok was able to see and correct the trailer drift, only knocked over one barrel and that was on the pull out. Was trying to correct the trailer and went to far right, hit the last barrel in the line. Was able to stop it with in 2-6 feet of the mark each time so was happy there.

Can tell I need work on my positioning for coupling and uncoupling, had 2 pull ups each time,but its coming along. Learned I was lifting my hand off the shifter and hovering it just slightly after going into neutral, then setting it back on the shifter when going into gear, was why I would miss a gear and have to go up or down one.

Get homework all weekend, also big thanks to American-Trucker since I know he pops by here once in a while, studied his write up on the pre-trip and had a good handle as we were walking through it.

 

Day 6 is done and over. Started off good, nailed the pre-trip. Only thing I missed was stating if I had a tire gauge I would check air pressure to insure proper inflation to 105 psi, drag link, and said ok for cat walk step instead of the proper terms.

Then came alley dock and parallel parking, alley was o.k. got it 3 times out of 10, could get parallel for the life of me. I did see thought that as i was backing, i wasn't going far enough to get back under the trailer to straighten up when doing the alley, and was cutting to early for the parallel. Now to hope that I can make the adjustments tomorrow to get things going better.

Nice thing is with only 3 people we can go back to forth between backing exercises when we want to. Bill has been nothing but helpful with it all, great instructor in my book.

 

Day 7 in the books. We spent all day on the driving range. My alley docking I am getting better at after just doing it for like 2 hours straight, have to pull of 3 or 4 times to get it all straight but will take it, parallel is getting better also. Started offset and blind side parallel. I am over correcting on the the offset backing. Blind side parallel I somehow manged to nail 6 out of 8 times, the two I missed one was not having a good starting position. The other i just completely cut the wheel the wrong way when burying the trailer in and ate some barrels. Was glad to see improvement though.

Want to say thanks to all the regular posters, your experiences where why I decided on Millis for training and to work for, and so far its been all positive. I am sure I will meet most of you at some point or another.

Forgot to mention this earlier but have already talked to who should be my trainer after school is done, actually had it set up on lunch the first day. He is on vacation until we start orientation but as long as the schedules work out with him coming back, should be leaving a day or two after orientation is done.

 

Day 8 is over. On the backing range all day practicing, practicing,practicing. My backing is coming along better was able to pass the backing test on all the maneuvers, using no more than 2 pull ups on each. Finally getting the get back under the trailer part. Was just turning the wheel, now I am cranking it like I am trying to take the wheel off. A tip for people coming to school, you can get out and look as many times as you want, do it. That has helped me more than anything. Don't be bashful or shy or nervous about it, just get out and look as many times as you need to.

Got to meet Sully today which was awesome, was nice to meet you.

8 days down 7 to go.