The New FFE Driver Academey

Rednecktigger said it all i went out 5 weeks with prime brought home $100.00. End of story $903 A WEEK TRK PAYMENT> Then qual pre pass an all the other nickle dime #### GOOD LUCK WITH PRIME Nice equip. ???

 

Allright...a refresher knowledge for those who jump onto the last 3 thread pages, forgoing the wisdom of earlier posts. Sounds Catholic doesn't it..ha ha Jez kiddin'.
Any who, here ya go FFE Academy on the 9's

1. FFEAcad is 16 days of intense book, class and range time
2. Before you go, get a Texas CDL manual (online free) and read it!
3. Bring at least $300 to be comfortable. It will stretch. But for those of you on less than a shoe string budget, there is machines in the lounge, ramen noodles stocked, peanut butter, and the class before always leaves stuff that is left over when they go. I know we left alot.
4. You do not get paid while in the class room setting. Basically it is a 16 day interview. They will send you home if they think you can't cut it. But, they try like hell to get everyone squared away. But...I have seen the axe fall:smt039.
5. The first 3 days are a blur.
a) Bus ride <20 hours, >20 hours, still sucks.
b) Handed a 200 question "test" as soon as you arrive to study for (with bus lag) another "test" the next day that grows into more "test" leading to the CDL exam at Texas DPS! (hint: form study groups among the class, you will need each others support in class, and on the range..trust me)
c) CDL exam ...STRESSED OUT!!! You will be so focused on this exam, you won't be able to focus:smt090. Why?
i) General knowledge
ii) Air Brakes
iii) Combination Vehicle
iv) Pre-trip inspection
....I don't care who you are. Spat and I, and others of our group said they never crammed like this in college. Because, your job depends on the outcome! But the instructors will beat their own ##### if you come short the first time. We had a few too the first day, but we averaged ...I think about 93% class advancing to OTR training.
v) The cost of the CDL I believe is $70 or $72
6. Then, THE RANGE ....BACKING,BACKING,BACKING,BACKING,BACKING,BACKING,BACKING,BACKING,BACKING,BACKING,BACKING.....you get my point. You have straight line backing, offset or serpentine, then alley dock. You will become a backing machine. Take this seriously, because when you get out for real, and the world is all around you..the basics will save your hide. oh yeah, I forgot to tell you the range is asphalt, and it will be HOT. Ask Spat, he's bald, he'll tell ya.:smt056

 

7. You will be drilled for a good reason. The DPS road test:smt079
8. Pay attention while doing the backing, city driving, OTR driving... learn how to pick up reference points that work for you. Pay attention to who is in the driver seat. Learn from their mistakes.
9. After you have your CDL, you will have 2 days of paperwork, and orientation (stimulating) But at least there is a pool, and jacuzzi. BAR IS OFF LIMITS FOR ANY REASON
10. Then you wait for your trainer. The training dept will try to fit you to someone who is from your general area, or a non smoker, but they can only work with what is available. Heck, be patient. I'm telling you this because I was freaking out the first day, ready to "quit ######! I ain't sitting around here!":smt069Then, they walk up and hand me my assignment and made the fat man hush.
10. Try and get along with the trainer:smt058. It is important to learn this trait whereas, if you can't, how will you handle the meatheads in traffic while sitting at the controls of a 40 ton truck...RAMMING SPEED!!:smt068
11. Not all matches are made in heaven. Besides, we're Americans, we all have "bubbles":smt064. Just try your best.
12. While OTR training, you will be eligible for two $75 advances a week. Saturday after midnight, and Tuesday after midnight. If you don't need it, don't take it. DON'T TAKE IT.
13. YOU ARE PAID $455 A WEEK GROSS. Yes, taxes are taken out.
14. Do as much driving as you can legally and safely. I suggest, all the backing(docks for sure, truck stops? another creature all together) all the city driving, and mountainous terrain.
15. Keep your head on straight. This is really over a 2 month job interview. Be an adult
16. When you are upgraded from your trainer you have a couple more test i think (Playmaker can explain this better) and a driving test that is much like the DPS test. After this ask Playmaker.
17. I know you start out at .29 a mile for a short time then an increase in x amount of time. Guess the amount depends on your job ability.

oh yeah...side note: Don't worry if you feel like you are not getting enough classroom on the Peoplenet On board computer (eLogs). You will have a nice cozy little classroom for about 6 weeks to figure out this technological marvel.

So, there ya go....in a nut shell

 

is it .29 cpm while with a driver trainer?
how long do you have to have that driver trainer drive with you before they cut you loose?

 

No....455 w/ trainer
6 weeks w/ trainer

 

Max,
go down to the thread a little further down the page. I spell it out more in detail for ya

 

Go to page 31 Max, wait....thats this page....nebber mind

 

happy early birthday greet playmaker