Instead of moving the seat all the way back, try getting up on the steering wheel. I know it sounds silly, but it actually does help. I don't know why. When I was out with my trainer, I had the same problems shifting. He told me to move up closer to the wheel and it did help. Of course I wasn't perfect, but I wasn't terrible either. I've been solo for about 4 months now and I'm still having some issues with shifting but I'm getting better. I've tried floating also and sometimes it works, sometimes it don't. So I'm just going to work on the double-clutching shifting and get that down, then work on the floating.
Thanks all for the support, it really does mean a lot to me. This is not just a job because Michigan has the highest unemployment. This is something I have always wanted to do, but because of the paths I chose throughout my life I have settled for any job I could get to make sure bills were paid and family taken care of ( I am sure many can relate). Now that the kids are grown and beginning their lives/careers it is my time, my chance to do what will make me happy, I am now the most important person in my life, I am hungry and determined to be successful in this choice. On a brighter note, my shifting is greatly improved today, the trainer was very impressed. The only issues I had today, and I only had a couple, was when I made a mistake it seemed to become a chain reaction before I would recover. Being too tense when a mistake would happen, I could feel it in my neck and shoulders. I am a bit too much of a perfectionist and little things like popping the clutch too fast on a takeoff and having the cab lurch makes me beat myself up over it adding to the tension. Once I relax I drive like I have been doing it for years. Tomorrow the trainer will take me to where I will be taking the test so I can go over the skills portion at the actual site, then we will drive the route I will take for the driving portion. Michigan requires me to vocalize everything I see as I drive, pointing out signs, lights, hazards (vehicles, pedestrians) etc. That might be a good thing as it might help me relax, but it will still be a one sided conversation as I am sure the tester will be silent. I will ask the trainer to act as if it is the real test while we drive. I am not too worried. Once I pass the test Thursday morning I will get to spend the weekend at home, and the girlfriend already has a honey-do list of chores for me -SgailDreugan
All of what you posted, except for the girlfriend part (ain't got one), sounds very familiar. I think many, if not most, of us go through similar tribulations and anxieties. I'd tell you to relax, but you won't. You'll do fine though!
i'm in school at the moment too, as far as feeling comfortable at the wheel, i'm only 5"5' so this has been as issue. for mei put the seat low enough so both feet will tocuh the floor, i'm also a bit chubby so i bring the wheel a little higher than most. but most importantly , feet on the floor . since i'm short i was bringing the seat way up and it jsut never felt right but once my instructor told me my feet need to be flat on the floor it just felt right. As far as the girlfriend, be nice but tell her to shove the honey do list you know where, you have enough on your plate trying to get through all of this. hope that helps. i've been taking a weekend course for the last 10 weeks i'll be done in 2 weekends and then hopefully off to shaffer or ffe but we'll see. best of luick brother frank "the melody man"....i jsut figured out my handle the other day. i've been a songwriter in nashville so i gthink that fits
I started reading your thread yesterday and was glad I got to finish it today. I would really like to know how your test went, and how Swift is treating you - if you got any details on what you'll be driving, where you'll be driving, etc... Good luck, Mike
Passed the CDL test with flying colors ! I am too hard on myself, pretrip was easy, picked up 3 points on the skills, and the road test was a breeze. The tester told me and my trainer that I am a great driver. The trainer told me that he knew I would pass or he would not have brought me to be tested. I texted one of my classmates to let them know, all he said was 'I know' , I figured my trainer told their trainer. Turns out the classmate just knew I would pass. Seems everyone was a lot more confident then I was, but then again I didn't have the extra 125 dollars to retest (3rd party tester) so I was worried needlessly. Today I am home and will head to the secretary of state office and transfer the certificate into the license, then stop at the bus station with the conformation number to get my ticket for Monday to travel to New Boston for orientation on Tuesday thru Thursday and hopefully hit the road right away with my mentor. I am more then ready to be employed again and start driving. Things are defiantly beginning to look like a great future and I am excited. I have no complaints about the academy, it was fast paced with a ton of information to learn, but had great instructors that are more then happy to help explain everything clearly, they wont give up on you unless you give up on yourself. -SgailDreugan
Congratulations. I hope to follow in your footsteps very soon. There seems to be a need for dedicated professionals in transportation right now, I intend to be just that. Good luck.
