Trainers don't grow on trees ... Orientation was done days ago.

As the others above have said, Mr. @Liahos . . . that 3 point contact thing is VERY important~!

Hoping you a speedy recovery, and a quick return to trucking to complete your training. PLEASE keep us updated, good sir~!

Best of luck~!
Tomcat

 

Well, thanks to y'all for kind words... Doctor gave me the clearance and now I'm probably going to wait a bit to be assigned to a new Trainer, since the original trainer has been assigned another tarinee...

 

Keep us posted; I'm following! Glad you are 'good to go~!'

 

The five week training period (mostly team driving) was grueling. My mentor being an owner operator didn't believe in even wasting a minute. The wheels had to keep turning, time is money. Any way, it's over and I've learned a lot of things, seen a lot more and understand a good bit more. Yet, now that I am going to be on my own, I am really nervous. I've not hit anything, nor have I got any violations so far, but I am very afraid that something could go wrong and I could just blow it. If it wasn't for fear of the random drug tests I'd be tempted to take some tranquilizer. As the time approaches (I got a few days off after training) for me to start as a solo, I am feeling less and less confident and more and more apprehensive. Will I be able to back into those narrow spaces? Or will I block the traffic for half an hour getting out to look a hundred times, and still mess it up? A few days ago I thought I had done well, but now I'm not so sure any more.

 

The most important thing is patience and maintaining control. Do not get rushed.

 

plus if it takes you an hour it takes you an hour. Be patient take the time do it the right way. Better to be safe than to rush.

 

When I was in your position years ago, I had the exact same feeling. The time I spent with my trainer was agonizing. He was an angry loudmouth slob who drug me down so much that I didn’t even want to do it anymore. When the time came for me to test out, I barely even tried because deep down I had hoped that I would fail and be sent home.

Turns out all my anxiety started going away when the trainer went away. I passed the test with flying colors and was assigned a truck, but the truck was sitting at another terminal so I had to hitch a ride with another driver. That guy I hitched a ride with was one of the coolest truck drivers I have ever met. He probably taught me more in the few hours i was with him than my trainer did in a week.

The best part, was getting the keys to my first truck. I got one of the oldest trucks on the fleet, an old freightliner columbia, and it was an old trainer truck (it was a condo which was good), so you know that thing was used and abused. But I didn’t care, it was my own truck lol. I loved that truck and was sad when they sold it.

The point of all this is, once you are on your own, it is 1000 times better. Now the real learning begins. And trust me, you will learn A LOT. Keep an open mind, don’t sweat the small stuff, and always always always be willing to learn. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. Good luck!!