Comments By Jim M.

Day Thirteen:

Okay it was a great day, I'm happy to report. Absolutely picture-perfect weather, not a cloud in site, beautiful bright blue sky, not too cold, not too warm.

We started with pre-trip/air brake/drop and hook sequences, each pair taking turns. Then we had a bit of a more "one-on-one" approach to getting this serpentine-backing-maneuver down. It made more sense when this instructor, who has some 3 million clocked miles, explained the process, what to do and what not to do. Then he showed us and of course it looks so easy you could it blindfolded, not so much.

Before we could really get practicing this we got called over to be instructed on dropping a RGN trailer and unloading the excavator atop of it. It seems a little out of place considering how "green" we all are, but it is one of the things I am paying to learn so I'll take it whenever they feel compelled to show it to me.

Then after lunch me and another student spent 3 hours on the serpentine backing thing; I think I actually got it, well at least it went pretty good for the three times I attempted it. I'm a little screwy by the time I get to the last cone but it least I end up on the appropriate side and haven't run anything over. We'll see how it goes on Friday...I can't believe that will mark the end of week three, wow!

Hey Wine Taster,

That is excellent you are "moving" up the list in terms of favorites. I'm sure that means a lot to most all drivers.

I should be out there in a couple months. Be safe.

Day Twelve:

Got a feel for my pre-trip/air brake/drop and hook inspection today...24 minutes for the pre-trip and air brakes another 8 minutes for drop and hook, all told 32 minutes. We need to be at or around 30 minutes for the whole thing, I think I did pretty well.

Continued with backing maneuvers; straight line, and also serpentine, holy crap that is freaking hard!!!

I gotta say at this mid-third-week juncture, I am less than thrilled with this school. There is no structure, far more students per class than was told it "ever is". Two instructors that are way too over taxed with 8 students in my class and depending who shows up from the previous class 4 to 7. It isn't cool as far as I am concerned, nevertheless, my chin is up, my head is high and my ears are wide open!! Oh and my mouth is firmly affixed with a zipper to ensure it stays shut!!! Geez.

Day Eleven:

Started the day working on the straight back on both the right side and left side of the line of cones. I did really well with this, even giving it the juice and keeping it straight and parallel. Cool.

Then we switched to another truck, performed drop and hook, pre-trip and air brakes for several hours. Then for the remainder of the day we were instructed to slalom around the straight line of cones moving forward, and then backing straight back. That went surprisingly well I thought. Tomorrow I believe we will be instructed in and expected to do the serpentine backing maneuver around the cones... yikes!

Day Ten:

We continued this morning by pairing up and performing drop and hook, pre-trip and air brake tests. It is coming much easier but I still struggle with remembering particulars concerning the air brake portion.

After lunch myself and two other guys were the first chosen to start the straight backing exercise. It went very well I thought for me, I had no trouble at all with that, tomorrow we'll continue by backing and keeping the cones on they right side. Then it will be a serpentine backing procedure before doing different backing techniques and the static course.

Congratulations Doug!!

All the best, be safe!

Congratulations Rob!!

I'm happy you made it through and are now ready to start orientation with Central. Good luck on that and training with them, stay alert and safe.

Day Nine:

The continued and ended with performing drop and hook, air brake and pre-trip inspections. The entire process will be timed on test day not to exceed 30 minutes. Air brake portion MUST be strictly adhered too, the remaining drop and hook and pre-trip should shall not omit anything but can be in whatever order works for you.

So I timed my test this afternoon on my iPhone, after only three days of working on it I recorded 52 minutes. Not too bad, I was reminded by the instructor that it has to be 30 minutes you have to keep shaving minutes off...I knew that.

We have tomorrow off, so I'll be back on Monday to log the days activities.

RedGator,

A beautiful story about an even more impressive acknowledge of your accomplishments and success. It is well-deserved I have no doubt.

And may I add "Slainte'" for a job well done!! (That's "to your health" in Gaelic)

Day Eight:

It was pretty much like yesterday in the yard, we took turns in pairs performing drop and hook maneuvers, pre-trip procedures and testing air-brakes. It goes by pretty fast surprisingly.

One of the instructors, Don, indicated that he was going to test each of us tomorrow to see where are at and how far along we are. The more advanced we are will determine who gets into the next phase and onto shifting, backing and the static course.

I do not feel all that confident yet, but we'll see what he has to say tomorrow.