TWT Orientation-What should I expect?

I said they didn't teach docking.

They taught us how to offset, straight back, and 90 degree with the 28' trailer. The 90 degree was all based on the marks on the concrete and which mark to stop and turn the wheel at, where the back cone should be by the tire to stop and turn the wheel again. The test was done the same way.

This is why I'm very glad that TWT offers 6-8 weeks of training. We never used the long trailer to do any backing and we never used anything other than a short run of cones to back around.

 

Thank you FwL. That helps a lot. What is DTS?

Got my drive done yesterday. Went pretty well. I had my instructor from school with me and she said I retained it pretty well. The only real problem I had was I trained on an 18 speed and drove a 10 speed yesterday. I found it difficult to shift because I kept trying to shift it like the 18 speed. At least I didn't kill it although I did have to stop twice to start again while I figured out the 10 speed and I ground the gears to much for my liking but over all not bad. The instructor said it would help a lot having a newer truck since this one is old and run down. The instructor also said it's something I have to drive a lot more for before I figure it out and that the training would provide that. I also got to back the 48' trailer for the first time. I've only backed the 28' before. It was only straight backing but that's a first.

I think that is what I'm most concerned about is having to back between trailers into a spot especially if there isn't enough room to pull forward to straighten the trailer out like I had yesterday. They don't have enough room in their lot to do the 90 or offset in the big trailer but just enough room to pull it straight.

Now to talk to Curtis. I called him yesterday and left him a message but he emailed me asking about the drive so I guess he hasn't gotten the message yet. Now the nerves are really setting in. I'm not to concerned about the drive test except the backing part but the physical is the test I'm concerned about.

 

Tomorrow is the big day. I'm leaving for Spokane to orientation. I'm still worried that I won't pass the physical and the backing portion but I'm going all in. No matter what I'm going to do my best and strive to do even better.

Thank y'all for your help. Monday at 7 am I start orientation and if I pass Thursday will be my last day before I head off with the trainer. Any suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated. I have so much to learn.

 

I have bad news....



Y'all are gonna have to watch the roads cause I passed all my tests... And I finally get the whole To Weak to Tarp.. Although I really was to weak to throw the tarp I did pass the reefer and tanker part of the physical.

The guy doing the test seemed to think that just because my knee was replaced that I couldn't do it but I proved him wrong.

The drive test was a breeze in a way but I kept trying to shift it like I did the 18 speed. Thankfully the tester was great about it and helped me out when I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get it in gear. He explained that I was revving it to high. That and using a very responsive newer truck compared to those old beaters from school made a huge difference. I about had a coronary when I pressed the gas like I did in school and the truck lurched forward like I had floored it. The poor instructor just laughed.

All in all a very good day. The hotel isn't to bad although I don't like the rubbery feeling blanket it's still tolerable. No fridge so I'm using the ac unit as a fridge.

We did paperwork until about 9:30 when they started doing the drug testing. Then they stared doing the drive tests. Out of the 12 students I'm the only girl so I got elected to go first. We all passed. After that we worked on the dot written test and more paperwork. Then videos and lectures until 4 when we were sent to get the physicals done. They said when we were done we could walk back to the hotel or wait for the ride. I chose to walk. It's nice and warm outside. Only like a 100 or so from what I heard.

 

Today was pretty good. Did a bunch of videos and tests on the videos. We did the smith system training today. Tomorrow we are doing the drive. We also got signed up for the Open Road today. We have one of those guys in our class. He's constantly asking for breaks and has a lot of trouble understanding things like we don't get a break every 2 hours on the nose among many other things. There is one guy who is ready to quit if this guy makes it on the road. I'm sure he was joking but I'm a bit concerned myself. Any one who can argue that much and can't handle sitting that long needs to reevaluate their career choice. If he would stop interrupting the class I'd be a lot happier cause then I could go back to learning.