The New FFE Driver Academey

yes everything has to be recent now --i drove over the road for over 2 yrs -- in the late 80's before you even had to have a cdl -- so i am starting from square 1 -- hopefully it will come back to me quick -- theres a lot that go for a refresher course -- i want the whole deal -- when i started out i was working for an air frieght company driving a strait truck to detroit and back 3 nights a week they upgraded to a semi and i had a friend that had a truck and we spent maybe 2 hrs learning to shift (bobtail) then i went with my uncle who was the other driver to detroit the first trip and after that was on my own -- not much training lol -- still remember how scared i was on my first trip -- they had a lot of construction on I-80 that year and that first trip i could only manage to get it up to 35 mph in the 1 lane construction zones -- old cb was lit up from the guys behind me telling me to speed up lol -- well the cdl thing is a bit of a pain but I never should have been cut loose like that and back then it was done a lot i was very carefull and never got into a wreck but its scary to think about it now --- oh and backing up into a dock first time took my time and had it perfect 90 degrees from the building except for the fact i was between the dock doors -- i got it eventually might have spent 45 minutes doing it lol and it was real fun having the dock workers and other drivers out there laughing at you, but eventually became very good at it -- i have a farm background so i was use to backing in wagons with a farm tractor -- but its not the same lol--- well we thought of looking into the grant thing too but decided on ffe after checking out the other companys and i will try to keep you posted on how it goes i know how much it helped having some of my predecessors doing the same

 

Don't be surprised if they still send you to the dorm and your girl stays at the hotel...

 

yea fillmore i been thinking that might just happen -- sandy said we would stay together -- but what ever is ok -- looks like they out grew there dorms so some guys ended up staying at the motel anyways untill some dorm room became open-- it will work for me either way

 

K guys, I'm out at basic trai....I mean ft.worth.
Greg walked into the room the other day and said "welcome to trucker boot camp" and seriously. No effing lie man!

This has been a hellacious week, because we lost Monday to memorial day and had to jump straight into permit and written exams.
I passed my permit, air brake, combo, and pre trip all at once, missed the general by a frigging point.
That's what happens when you stay up till 1:00 am studying, and don't eat.

So girls and guys, just passed my general, headed back to base shortly and learn from my mistakes.
Get sleep before taking the tests, not some 4 hour little nap like I did. You may be able to function with 4 hours like me. But can you function correctly? Fatigue is a hell of a thing, and it will #### you.

Eat a good breakfast. I only managed to grab a breakfast pocket before our 5.5-6 hour fun trip to the dps. And bring water to the DMV with you!

Good luck all!
And hopefully we will see a few of you down here!

 

well finished working --- a little sad -- but looking forward to starting monday -- packing today --going to leave saturday morning --going golfing friday with a big group of guys that i have been playing with for a few years --havent told them yet that they cant count on me too much being there --- going to see grandkids tommrow night -- my daughter is taking over my produce job so thats a big break for her -- still going to be involved and can make some extra money on the internet and cell phone --thats the job i will miss -- the construction is a lot easier to leave -- i have a young kid 26 yrs old that i am giving that buisness too --- and use of my tools and any calls i get and all the jobs i have on board now -- he started working for me when he was 13 and kinda like a son so he is getting a good start--- now just have to get the ball rolling

 

cograts cabwrecker hope to see you next week

 

I feel your pain buckeye, tomorrow is my last day at my current job and it gonna be a bittersweet moment I think

 

final packing day ---leaving out tommrow morning -- done worrying ---didnt help --just excited and ready to get started

 

Good luck buckeye bandit.

 

Actually this was going to be my choice for school to but then found out they don't recruit from the state I live in...very disappointed!