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.

  1. BrenYoda883

    BrenYoda883 Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2013
    Messages:
    1,248
    Thanks Received:
    1,422
    0
    It really doesnt matter what the schools teach or how well they teach it or dont... those with a desire to succeed will learn what they need to... every dah I am out here I am learning stuff, or improving my skills... I have watched videos, read manuals, down loaded ebooks, etc...

    The best way to learn is to be out here doing it.. for example.. in school and in all the training I had.. I had only ever hooked up to a trailer when there was plenty of room to back up nice and straight under... then I am out here on my own doing intermodal... at some of those rail yards when you go to pick up your trailer.. you have to go at it at some weird angle.... first, time I came across that.. where there was no way for me to get my tractor in front of the trailer.. I went and got a yard dog to pull it out some.. which wasted 20 minutes.... then one day.. I am dropping off a loaded trailer and see this guy hooking up to his trailer and almost a 90 degree angle... I talked to hime a bit about it.. and he gave me some good pointers... now, if I cant get knfront of the trailer I am hooking... no biggie.. I know what to do...

    Well, the other day I am picking up a loaded trailer from the rail yard... there is another driver on the same account just sitting there.. turns out.. waiting for a yard dog to pull the trailer out so they can get in front of it... I explain and show them by hooing up to my trailer at an angle... but, they had no desire to learn or try it.. they were still sitting waiting when I drove off...

    Thise who wa t to do a good job will learn what they need to know.. and those that dont care.. if if you teach them.. they would rather plah and be dumb..
     
    Wooly Rhino, gpsman, mje and 4 others Thank this.
  2. 70s_driver

    70s_driver Medium Load Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2014
    Messages:
    611
    Thanks Received:
    358
    0
    Yea a lot of them get into the industry based on rumors they have heard that if you're a trucker, all you do is drive. Anyone who comes into the industry with that notion is in for a heck of a wake up call. Anymore, you spend about as many hours doing other things as you do driving.
     
  3. Lowa3468

    Lowa3468 Heavy Load Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2014
    Messages:
    889
    Thanks Received:
    648
    Location:
    Portland, Or
    0
    I would rather pay for a top shelf pole dancer the other choice isn't all that good looking but a lil cheaper I guess it depends if one is wanting to get lucky or not
     
    mje Thanks this.
  4. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,555
    Thanks Received:
    5,747
    Location:
    32179
    0
    You have to realize

    what these schools have to start/work with.


    A lazy, ignorant, unskilled, car driver,

    turns into a lazy, ignorant, unskilled, truck driver.


    And no, not everyone fits this description.

    But an awful lot do.....
     
    gpsman, mje and Dinomite Thank this.
  5. Twin Screws

    Twin Screws Light Load Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    Messages:
    200
    Thanks Received:
    130
    0

    No, I am sorry....but your opinion is wrong.

    Every school has a curriculum outline, usually covered in their catalog. In that curriculum outline they lay out exactly what they will be teaching you for your money.

    That is all you are entitled to. If you don't like what they cover or feel they are short changing you, by all means, renegotiate up front or find another school.

    When you go to a restaurant......do you order the 10 ounce filet but then demand the waiter bring you a 16 ounce filet for the same price? There is no difference here. Schools profit margins, are based on how much time do they spend with each student.....burning up fuel, using instructor time, wearing out clutches.

    You should certainly get what you pay for. When you go to a CDL training program, you are taught how to successfully take and pass your CDL test. All that time spent standing around should be spent studying your pre trip....your instructor (at least SHOULD be) is busy helping other students actually learn to drive.

    All the other training you are talking about is performed by the company that hires you...while you are being paid to recieve it.

    There is absolutely no way to teach all of what you want in a 3-4 week course. Not without losing time behind the wheel, a lot of time behind the wheel. To which I am sure you wouldn't be happy about that either. So now the course has to be 10 weeks long.

    Would you be willing to pay two to three times the price for a school two to three times as long?
     
    bergy, mje and gpsman Thank this.
  6. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2012
    Messages:
    2,906
    Thanks Received:
    50,800
    Location:
    hunting...../ retired
    0
    I think that truck driving schools have the obligation to teach to the test.....1st....if you can't pass the minimum requirements to pass the required test/s then you won't be able to get a CDL. Now , that being said they should also answer any and all questions that students pose to them , about any and all things asked. Learning the basics is something that must be accomplished 1st.....we all know that......but we all also know that a driving school can't ever even begin to teach a student everything he or she will need to know.....time on the actual job will take care of that. I never went to a driving school , when I learned it was on a family farm , taught by an uncle....schools were far and few...(mid-60's)....I learned most of the skills needed by actually attempting (and failing) to do them. For the most part that's still the same in today's world...the schools provide the basic skills and knowledge , and the new drivers learn by doing. Just like I , and many others my age did.....I really believe that no matter how long you choose to drive for a living the learning never stops...each turn of the wheel , every single solitary mile should be a learning experience...I really do believe that.
     
    Dinomite, fishnman, mje and 3 others Thank this.
  7. gpsman

    gpsman Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2013
    Messages:
    1,581
    Thanks Received:
    1,211
    Location:
    45212/59759
    0
    I guess you do indeed have the right to demand the same quality of education from the University of Phoenix as from Stanford... till the cows come home.

    Exactly how many truck driving schools have you attended achieving these beliefs?

    Were you a class of one? Assuming not, did you and other students just stand around and wait in silence, drooling, or did you discuss your lessons among yourselves, give each other a hand? Or were you playing grabass?

    Did you all progress at the same rate, never conferring with another student about a lesson or question?

    Of whom...?! And when?

    When they're standing around waiting? Or should they feel free to interrupt lessons at will with a constant deluge of questions the instructor will cover in 2 minutes in a sequence intended to impart what the student needs to know before they learn that?

    A good deal is a state of mind.

    Why do you not go into teaching? It's very rewarding teaching those who think they already know everything about driving and you don't know squat.
     
    TripleSix Thanks this.
  8. Dinomite

    Dinomite Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2012
    Messages:
    4,092
    Thanks Received:
    4,308
    Location:
    Looking 4 Rocks
    0
    Holy Toledo Batman. Has Rhino bumped his head again. A CDL EDUCATION. Are you kidding me. It's a CDL CLASS. Just like my motorcycle class was not an education. It was a class. Trucking is a hands on. High speed chicken feed, make quick decision on the fly, multi tasking, steering wheel holding, gear shifting, smorgasbord of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious fun. Now stop complicating things. Not everybody can be a African banker turned trucker who loves hitting fixed objects with their trailer. I rest my case and plead the 5th amendment and all that jazz.

    Oh ya Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Hawwww
     
  9. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2012
    Messages:
    2,906
    Thanks Received:
    50,800
    Location:
    hunting...../ retired
    0
    Patty Oh Patty........he's had too much coffee..........:biggrin_25525:.......:biggrin_255:
     
    pattyj, Dinomite and mje Thank this.
  10. Dinomite

    Dinomite Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2012
    Messages:
    4,092
    Thanks Received:
    4,308
    Location:
    Looking 4 Rocks
    0
    <<<<<Don't mind me. When I was licking the window. I bumped my head. I can't seem to find my helmet. But anyway back to looking for helmet~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     
    Tonythetruckerdude and mje Thank this.