The further adventures of Texas-Nana at the Swift Driving Academy

Will work on fixing my lines... Seems the form doesn't parse symbols the same way on output as it does on input. *edit* I think I fixed them, heh. Do with it what you will.

 

Nana
That's not cussin, it's a new language from the same language family of carpenter's language, computer tech language and a few others. The generic name of this language is called "Frustrated Pain" It is often spoken when someone hits their thumb with a hammer, a computer geek realizes a hard drive with irreplacable files has fried and a truck driver watches his trailer do the opposite of what he wanted. Some have theorized that it is an original language embedded in the recesses of the psyche since it is most often spoken as an excited utterance in reaction to pain or frustration. So see, you didn't cuss- you spoke an embedded language.

Everyone learns at a different speed and in different ways. You'll get it, just try to relax and keep trusting the Lord. I couldn't do the 45 degree back until the day before I took my cdl test. You should have heard me grind the gears during my test. I passed anyway. Most of us have been there so you are not alone and a lot of people are praying for you and sending our best wishes your way.

 

I thank each and every one of you for the encouragement and support. I'm so fortunate to have found the Trucker's Report, and so blessed to have met so many caring and very special people here on the forum.

Today was better, it started off badly when my first two attempts at off set backing were horrendous. I had gotten better at it day before yesterday so doing so horrible really defeated me. But I'm SO lucky in the group of students I'm in. I'm in a group of 6, myself and five men. They're all so good at these skills and there I am making huge messes, yet they never laugh at me and are incredibly encouraging. I've also got a fantastic instructor who never yells or gets sarcastic, he doesn't waste time trying to impress us with his words but he's so darn good at everything we just are impressed. He's earned our respect not demanded it. Anyway the five guys I'm in group with are just great. They suggest things, explain over and over and when I get so frustrated that I actually cried this morning they act like it just never happened. Plus they make the day a joy despite the heat and frustration.

The good news is I finally figured out what I was doing wrong this morning and I also told my instructor that I thought a big portion of my problem was that I can't straight line back. So I practiced the straight line backing for an hour and finally got it straightened out. I now know exactly what I need to do and what I need to see. After that I was able to do the off set backing a great deal better. I have a great deal of hope that it will make a big difference in my parallel parking tomorrow.

And Notarps: actually if you can't straight line back you don't pass at Swift. So you're quite wrong about that.

Okay I'm headed to study and then bed. Thanks again everyone! Your friendship and help means so very much to me.

 

thanks NANA. you are right, this forum was instrumental, before and after i made the jump, into my sucess in transitioning into trucking.
like they told us at school. "straight line backing is the FOUNDATION of ANY backing maneuver"

 

Practice makes perfect in everything we do Nana...you'll get it. Might not be a bad idea to ask the instructor if it was alright to come in for a few hours and practice backing on your days off, either by yourself or with a couple of others from your group. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

It's very "neet", all these drivers helping you out !!

The world needs more people like you.

 

Nana.I have been following your posts and feel elated at your experience. Looking into Swift Training myself, it is encouraging to hear you positive outlook............ As well as the friendship and support of everyone here in the forum, and in the school.

Continued Success,

 

Thanks so much, Nana, for keeping us posted on your progress. Isn't it exciting when that light bulb finally goes off and you realize your problem? It's almost like a high knowing that NOW you have what you need to succeed.

Keep pluggin', my friend. You're gonna be just fine!

 

Just remember when you get your CDL, and get pulled over you must summit your real name, not you screen name, or that of anyone else. ROFL.....