Comments By Randall H

In Texas you've got to do a blind side parallel park to pass the test. It is usually the main maneuver that gets people in trouble on the test. While I never really liked the so called "formulas" for parking maneuvers, for some people it makes it much easier to get it in the box. If it works for someone then I'm all for them using it, but once you get in a truck as a solo driver you will find that every time you have to park or back that rig into position it is a different scenario each time. You will eventually learn to "read" your trailer and know what you've got to do to make it go where needed. At the beginning if the formulas help you secure that CDL then by all means use them, but just realize they are kind of like stepping stones to help you advance to a higher level of driving as your career advances along.

I totally agree. In fact, without any formula, before I even tried the maneuvers for the test......I alley docked at a store and nailed it the first time. The biggest thing in real life is learning how to set it up. Only experience with the vast multitude of real life situations can make one a master. But for a tool to pass the test, these formulas help and in the process you learn things that can be applied to real life.

THANKS Randy! While I'm still a LONG ways off from training, at LEAST I can have the general idea and remember this when the time comes..CAN NOT imagine doing it from the 'blind' side!!!..looking forward to more tips!

It sounds awful....the blind side, but by using this formula in reverse, it will get you to where you are backing up towards the 2 target cones and then you can use the driver side mirrors which is actually easier than the reverse. So I actually prefer the blind side. With either one, knowing the points to do the next move........when the front trailer tire is on the line and when the drive tire just gets inside the box...........those were the two things that made it all come together for me. Even if I were to violate a barrier....2 points.....and then pull forward to in the box.....that's a pass!!! If I had 1 violation of a barrier on the off-set and 1 on the alley dock.....I would still pass the entire test. I know I can alley dock and off-set with ZERO points. So if I did get points on the parallel......there is no way I would fail. It is not required to get them all perfect, just to get them without exceeding the allowed points.

Learn the formulas and the adjustments to make them work and you will pass the test.

Well I don't know why but some of the pictures loaded sideways. Sorry. What you can do it save each picture to your computer and then you can open it and rotate it to see it right side up.

Ignore that....at first it appeared that way, but after I made the second post, all of the pictures showed right side up.

Well I don't know why but some of the pictures loaded sideways. Sorry. What you can do it save each picture to your computer and then you can open it and rotate it to see it right side up.

Many students struggle with learning the backing maneuvers to take their CDL exam. To complicate things, with no prescribed method to follow, it becomes a hunt and peck search for getting the big rig into the box. Many instructors teach a "formula," as mine did. Is it an exact thing that automatically puts the rig into the box precisely the same way every time? Of course not. Little things like exactly where the truck is lined up, where you start the next move, how fast you move, etc. will cause differences that require adjustments to get it right. BUT, it serves as a very good starting point and something to work with to minimize those needed adjustments. What I am posting is that formula for doing a driver's side parallel park.

Once I learned to see the points of when to make the next move, I consistently put the rig into the box successfully several times in a row on the first day. Now I KNOW I can put it in there and pass the test. There is a similar formula for the off-set and the alley dock. The instructor showed me each of them one time and I was able to do them both successfully the first time I tried. I will post those formulas in the future.

To do the blind side (from the opposite side), just reverse everything.

GOOD LUCK!!!

I just have a few questions before I make that call.

When you start training, how long till you start getting paid?

That depends..... If you get an instructor immediately after completing orientation then you can expect the training phase to get your CDL to take about 3 weeks. But, if you get stuck waiting to get an instructor....and there are people still waiting from my orientation class while I'm 2 weeks into my on the road training.....then obviously that stretches that time span out. During this training phase there in NO PAY, but they will advance you $200 per week to help you cover food expenses. Once you have your license and are assigned a trainer for the second driving phase (to get 30000 miles) then you are guaranteed at least $600 per week. If you drive more than 5000 miles in a week as a team then you will make more than $600.

While in school and riding with an instructor, how long till you get to come home?

Once you get your license and start the second driving phase they want you to get in at least a couple of weeks on the road before taking time off. They don't want you off right after getting the license because they want you to keep the process going to get it more ingrained in you before taking time off. So you're looking at somewhere in the range of 6-8 weeks before getting time off, barring having to wait extensively for an instructor.

How much money should you bring with you when you leave for school?

They house and feed you for orientation so very little money would be needed for that time period. And after that if you need it they advance you $200 per week. If you don't need it and have money to cover your expenses....eating.....then you don't have to spend it. I have seen many come here with very low money resources and they don't want to spend the $200 in case they don't make it through to the point of getting paid and able to pay it back from wage deductions. During orientation you COULD need a small amount of money because they allot you a defined amount of money to spend on each meal and if you go over you pay the extra. You can eat without going over. The portions and costs are VERY REASONABLE. Coffee, iced tea and water are free so you don't have to spend anything on drinks if you stick with those choices.

You do need $100 to give to Prime for participating in the program. It's nonrefundable. You need an additional $50 to cover the CDL exam or transferring your permit. All of these costs are spelled out in the materials they give you by email...the recruiter will send them to you by email.

My fear is that if the school and riding with a trainer is 8 weeks, I wont be able to come home for 2 months.

As stated above, that is very possible and you need to be prepared for that to begin with.

I am ready to go forward in this new career path and want to get some things answered. I think I will get better answers from the ones who have gone through it than from the recruiter. From my experience, they will tell you anything to get you in the door.

Be blessed and be safe!

I guess I am just a bit worried about starting something new. The feeling of knowing I will have a massive vehicle that is under my total control is a bit over whelming. Like I have mentioned, I have been out on quite a few runs with my brother in law (he actually did let me drive for about 100 miles, from rest area to rest area) so it was all freeway miles but it was a fun experience.

My other concern is getting into schooling and having to sit there forever until I can get out on my own. I am skiddish to having a trainer who isnt "like me" for example, I have heard stories about trainers who dont like to stop for showers, dont like to stop for bathroom breaks. I do not want to get stuck with one of them types.

I am a recently laid off web designer and at the age of 37 I am going to be honest and say I am a bit nervous to actually go for it. I know I wont have any issues when it comes to the driving part but I know it will be a whole new world compared to what I am used to. Not being home but 2 days every 2 weeks would be a downfall having 2 young children, That would take a while to get used to. Also coming from a small town in TN, I would be a nervous wreck if they sent me to say NYC.. I dont handle going through Nashville in a SUV to well, I would hate to see it in NYC with a semi.

I think I am going to take your advice though and get everything going as far as getting my permit and everything. Maybe go have a few more talks with my uncle who was actually a trainer back in his day. And when and if the time comes, I will take the plunge and just go for it. There wouldnt be nothing like going down the road and getting paid to see the country.

A very big factor in your decision that was not involved in mine.....children. I wish you the best.

when I took this step I hit the RESET button on my life and that it has been.

Randy this gets down to what we are always trying to instill in people's understanding that this is more of a lifestyle than it is a job - you are just getting started and you will continue to find that this is more of a reset than you probably could even imagine at the beginning.

Not in my case. I was looking for THE reset. This is precisely what I needed.

That would be great. Good idea.

I see a ton of Prime tankers in the Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan part of my route. If I remember correctly, the tanker specific training is in the Chicago area. I have not seen a Prime tanker in the southeast. Does not mean they are not here of course. Schnieder has a huge tanker fleet and I see those guys everywhere. The nice thing about Prime tanker is that it is all food grade though. Oh, have you been to the Millenium Building yet? I do miss that terminal. There is not a nicer one in the nation for any company.

Prime has two tanker regions, the eastern one that is pretty much midwest and northeast and then the rest of the country. They do cover all lower 48 states. What I'm not sure about is how much. If tanker is not my best option here and I still want to go that route in the future, I could always search for a company that would be a good match that way. I would like to find out Prime can do it for me.

Yes, I have been to the Millennium and have heard others say the same thing as you. It is a very nice place and quite the layout for their truckers. I feel fortunate to have decided on Prime. As I reflect back......the whole ONE month since I started even looking into this....LOL.......it is amazing how well it's all fallen into place. TT helped so much. The input from the people on here has been a true blessing. And now I am less than 2 weeks from taking my CDL exam. I feel like I'm living an out of body experience because when I took this step I hit the RESET button on my life and that it has been.