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Things they should teach you in Trucking School that they don't.

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by Wooly Rhino, May 20, 2014.

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  1. May 20, 2014 #1
    Wooly Rhino

    Wooly Rhino Road Train Member

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    From what I have witnessed most trucking schools are just license mills. Period. But they don't have to be. You are paying for the education and I know that there are a lot of teachers would actually want to teach you something. They just don't know what you need to learn.

    Do you know how to couple and uncouple a trailer? There is more to it then pull the pin. Sometimes the pin won't pull. Why? And what do you do then? When you pull the tractor out what should you look for? Is the fifth wheel dry? How do you apply grease? What about lowering the airbags? How far do you crank the trailer stands down?

    How do you slide tandems? If you are overweight, how do you determine how much and which way to slide the tandems? What parts break often? How do you sweep out a trailer? How do you replace a light bulb on the trailer?

    What kind of tools should you have? How do you change a fuel filter? When should you change a fuel filter? What happens if the coolant level is below the line? Why won't the truck start? If you run out of fuel how do you prime the engine? How do you check the air pressure in the tires? What should it be? If you bend a rim how do you explain to the wrecker what size of rim or tire to bring you as well as what kind of tire or rim? How do you change a belt?

    It is my belief that all of the above questions should be part of the education that you are paying for. Ask those questions and demand that they give you the knowledge you need to succeed.

    My list is not a complete list so feel free to add or subtract from it. There was lots of sitting around at the school I went to. A lot of time that could be put to better use.
     
    Wooly Rhino, May 20, 2014
    Wooly Rhino, May 20, 2014
    #1
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  3. May 20, 2014 #2
    FlexinTarzan

    FlexinTarzan Medium Load Member

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    Schools need to teach NEGOTIATING SKILLS ......No driver that has been out awhile needs to pay top-shelf for a pole dancer :biggrin_25525:
     
    FlexinTarzan, May 20, 2014
    FlexinTarzan, May 20, 2014
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  4. May 20, 2014 #3
    fishnman

    fishnman Light Load Member

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    Driving schools teach someone enough to pass a driving test, period. If you go to a school to get a standard license, they don't teach you how to repair your car, do they? The purpose of Training is to teach the things you're talking about here. Most instructors at the schools are or have been CDL A drivers. They know what a student driver needs to learn to get a license. There are some long-term community college certificate programs that actually teach what you're suggesting, but not many. The schools' only obligation is to teach someone enough to get a CDL..
     
    fishnman, May 20, 2014
    fishnman, May 20, 2014
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  5. May 20, 2014 #4
    bigdogpile

    bigdogpile Road Train Member

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    unless the eye candy is good and you get to touch...
     
    bigdogpile, May 20, 2014
    bigdogpile, May 20, 2014
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  7. May 20, 2014 #5
    bergy

    bergy Road Train Member

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    Is the road test difficult? Does it actually test your skills, or is it a joke like the written. I passed the written, without ever having seen a CDL manual. Seems like a "can you fog a mirror" type thing.
     
    bergy, May 20, 2014
    bergy, May 20, 2014
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  8. May 20, 2014 #6
    Dinomite

    Dinomite Road Train Member

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    Dude I don't know how to do those things and I been out here 16 years. Holy Toledo Batman change fuel filters. What do I look like Speedco!!
     
    Dinomite, May 20, 2014
    Dinomite, May 20, 2014
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  9. May 20, 2014 #7
    Nukem

    Nukem Road Train Member

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    When I went through ATI, they taught us how to couple/uncouple, slide the tandums, and a few others things. But some questions, I got a very short answer with the addition of "Your company (should you choose to be a company driver) will teach you that". But most things as fishnman said, they teach for the DMV test.
     
    Nukem, May 20, 2014
    Nukem, May 20, 2014
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  10. May 20, 2014 #8
    Jaguar115

    Jaguar115 Heavy Load Member

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    Heck I turned wrenches before driving got in my blood and I pay other people to work on my truck. .

    When I was a company driver I carried a lot of tools. . Made the mistake of fixing the truck after sending in break down macro.. the next time I broke down they expected me to fix it..

    I'll admit that having basic mechanical skills helps. . I've had problems with the truck that I was able to describe to a mechanic and he was able to talk me thru the fix. Other than that. .

    Give me the correct load info.. I'll pick it up, adjust the tandems so that it's legal, And I'll deliver it (on time).

    Me driver not technician.
     
    Jaguar115, May 20, 2014
    Jaguar115, May 20, 2014
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  11. May 20, 2014 #9
    gpsman

    gpsman Road Train Member

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    They don't even have to know that, they teach the school curriculum.

    You can try to impart the little things, but the majority of students are suffering information overload just trying to absorb the basics. Everything is new to them, that rig seems HUGE at first, and they have to fail executing maneuvers the instructor made look easy as pie with everyone watching... after they arrive so often bursting with confidence in what they've always thought of as their superior "driving" skill. A lot of them have never driven a manual transmission, some have never seen it done. It can be a tough row to hoe for student and teacher.

    AFAIK that's all they offer, and they usually deliver.... but "truck driving school" is a misleading description of it.
     
    gpsman, May 20, 2014
    gpsman, May 20, 2014
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  12. May 20, 2014 #10
    Wooly Rhino

    Wooly Rhino Road Train Member

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    I paid $2,500 for my "education" at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas City, Kansas. It was a 4 week course. That was 2005. They taught me enough to get a CDL. Yes. But I am not talking about obligations. I am talking about education. It is my belief that if I pay for something, I have the right to demand quality. If I want to know something I ask. There is a lot of standing around and waiting in truck driving school. I believe that time could be better spent by asking questions. It is my intention to give an idea to students as to what questions they should ask.

    I was the one in class with my hand in the air asking the teacher questions. My entire life I have done that. I know that my sixth grade teacher had to keep sharp when she taught a subject because she knew she was going to get questions.

    Get the most bang for your buck in anything you do. Ask questions and get as much knowledge as you can. Again, if you pay for the school you have the right to ask them to provide a quality education and not just a CDL license. JMHO......but it is a correct opinion.
     
    Wooly Rhino, May 20, 2014
    Wooly Rhino, May 20, 2014
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    mje Thanks this.
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