On a positive note, after driving on the road, I did outstanding in the yard. My first run I passed by a wide margin. I had to do a pull-up on my 45 degree back, but was still pretty happy. My second run is where I totally rocked it! I got a perfect score! I’m the first one in my class to do that. My 45 degree back was nothing short of beautiful. No pull up required, perfectly between the cones, not slanted at all, and I stopped exactly where I was supposed to. I got zero points (remember, points are bad). When they shouted out that I got a perfect score I had to lay on the air horn in celebration. YEAH! Thank God I was able to do well in the yard after my poor experience on the road. I needed something to uplift my spirits after a bad pre-trip and a bad performance out on the road.
A former student of the school and a current driver for Werner Transportation came into the lot with his truck. He was in the area and thought he’d stop by. I’m glad he did! I was able to pick his brain a bit and take a little tour of his truck. It was nice being able to talk to him about what it’s really like out on the road and see how his home on wheels was set up. I talked to him for a good while and before I knew it, the day was over.
All in all, I can’t believe the progress I’ve made. I think my last run on the road on Friday was a complete fluke. I’m anxious to go back on Monday so I can show my instructor that I can do better (and I have done better!).
One message to those of you preparing to go to school or thinking about going to school, get ready for some serious studying. I’m sure it varies in each state, but here in Illinois this is no cakewalk. It isn’t just hopping in a truck and learning how to drive it. There is a lot of bookwork that has to be done. I expected some studying going into this, but not nearly the amount I’ve put in. I started studying my pre-trip stuff around 2pm today and didn’t stop until about 9:30pm. I only stopped for some short breaks to catch up on the Super Bowl. I have a million index cards that I’ve turned into flash cards to help me remember everything. I still don’t know everything as well as I’d like, so more studying on pre-trip will be happening through this week.
When I first decided to go to a CDL school, I figured that I have a college education and some of the truckers I see out on the road don’t look like the smartest people in the world. You know the stereotype; missing teeth, dirty looking, hick accent, etc. Well, I have a whole new respect for those guys if they have had to do the same thing I’m doing. This isn’t easy! It’s definitely obtainable by just about anyone, but it isn’t effortless. So be prepared for that. There isn’t one night during the week yet that I haven’t put in at least an hour or two of studying since my training started. First my studying was to pass my written tests, and now it’s studying all the different parts on the truck and how to check them. Even the things you think would be easy to check, like the tires, are more detailed than you think. And if the Secretary of State examiner asks about the tires, you can’t just say “they have to be inflated to X amount of pressure with Y tread depth.” He’ll fail you on the spot with that response! There are certain things you must say for each part of the truck. So these phrases must be memorized.
So hopefully tomorrow I have a better time out on the road and pre-trip and continue my success out in the yard. Wish me luck!
Until next time, drive safely.
TruckerMike
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Hey, Brett, don’t let it get you down. We all have bad days. But, yes, when you screw up and the instructor brings it to your attention, it makes you feel hopeless. Just learn from the mistake and act as if it never happened, don’t let it get to you. You’re doing fine and I’m anxiously awaiting your next post!
Thanks for the kind words Tumbleweed! I just got back from a great day. Absolutely perfect. So I’ll get my new post up so you can read all about it!
Another great post. Yes to pass that test we need to show that we know everything. Now that you know that you just do not get in a semi and hook up to a trailer and go down the road, you do have more respect for those who already do the job. Our government considers this a UNSKILLED JOB, which means they think anyone can hope in that truck and away they go. Scary isn’t it. I have always had tons of respect for truckers but when I had to go thru what you are doing, my respect grew larger. I had no clue and neither does the public. Don’t worry about those “off” days as we all have them. Great job truckermike!
does any one know where I can get pre-hire letters for cdl training so I can get financial help .