Year of Lurking.

I just took a screenshot of that post to send to my wife. Thank you sir.

 

I will definitely reach out to you after I graduate.

 

I'm three days into CDL training now, and it's going well.

I can honestly say that I'm ahead of the curve because of everything I've learned here. Plus, I already drive off-road equipment for the State of Texas, so my biggest problem driving currently is that I float gears normally. Trying to change my rhythm to a double clutch is frustrating. That and I'm not allowed to touch the throttle while backing here.

That being said, we practiced straightline and offset backing today which was actually fun. The longest trailer we use at work is a 48' flatbed, so hooking up to a 53' van was different for me. I'm accustomed to being able to see more from my mirrors. Get out and look.

Tomorrow is coupling and uncoupling trailers, which will go well for me, but next weekend we'll be on the access roads of the interstate. Theoretically I'll be fine, but I'm not taking anything for granted because I don't drive on public roads where I work and I very rarely have a need to shift into high range.

Strangely enough, I'm comfortable behind the wheel doing what I do now, but the thought of being in traffic and doing the same concerns me. So I'm going in fully aware that my experience doesn't translate exactly into what I'm trying to accomplish. I'm still confident, but definitely not ####y.

 

We put trucks on the access roads of the interstate today making several mile loops. I wish I could say I never missed a gear, but that would be a lie. Something clicked on my second trip though, and it started making sense. I'm much better going down the gear pattern now than I was before. Going up is not a problem. I have to admit that I'm still basically floating the gears, but as it's sliding in I pump the clutch real quick to satisfy my instructor.

I never curbed a tire, but I caught myself getting close a couple of times.

All in all it was a fun and productive weekend, and I'm looking forward to going again.

 

I don't see a need to start a new thread, but I passed my skills tests today and drove home with a CDL A. First try, no whistles or deductions (gotta brag a little) but I still have a lot to learn.

In my original post I wasn't sure what to do, but I've since changed my mind. It's time to #### or get off the pot.

I've found a couple food grade tanker companies close to me that I'm applying to.

If anyone has any advice on tanker companies that might hire a recent grad in the Central Texas area I would appreciate it.