Comments By Boots&Bludog

I've made my choice to start one of the three local CDL schools. About three weeks ago I stopped by to check out the atmosphere and feel confident with my choice. They are open 7 days a week and the students can come and go as they wish. I've noticed that the instructors give positive reinforcement with each of the students rather than focusing on the mistakes. My reasoning for choosing private school prior to company school is that the learning is at a more comfortable pace for me.

I heard about this site that same day I stopped into the school and have been reading and reading, became a member, started the HIGH ROAD tests, finished the driving safely part with a 99%, read Brett's book, more reading, posted here and there, stumbled on the air brake test 88% :-( and now I am starting this diary as I seem to be too wound up to sleep.

I want to note that I've been back to the school a few times and each time they had me in a truck. First time backing straight with a short trailer...not sure but it was not the 53'. I did it 3rd try and I was mostly happy I didn't kill the engine with that horribly stiff clutch. Next time was parallel. Yeah, didn't make that one happen at all. Killed a few cones and my leg turned into a limp noodle. Darn that clutch. Then was the ....can't remember what it's called but there are two spots next to each other and the task is to back into one, pull up and then back in to the next one. Couldn't get that either. The last time was the best though. I got the tractor to the trailer first time. Nailed it! Later that day I did it again but for some reason the trailer was a little high. I almost skipped over the 5th wheel. Mostly what I remember is not being able to get the landing gear to budge. The instructor said it had to do with the last student. Being a somewhat small woman this concerns me. What if I were on the job alone? I will have to be able to get it done. Maybe this is where a good hammer comes in.

So tomorrow is my official start day or rather today 6am. Go me! :-)

Very nice pay. You must be swimming in money! Great job on your hard work Guy. I wouldn't be able to do what you do, that's for sure.

Actually teaming is pretty easy. It's like training a new student without the teaching part. Someone always around to help when needed. You split up the truck duties so that everything runs smoother and take a lot less time.

Hello Guy. Thank you for posting the numbers and this perspective has now brought up something I had not considered (ach even more to ponder) I always thought that team just sounded crazy for my independent self. Now however I see some real benefits for a beginner (myself)to have a bit of extra support all around and that translates into more $$ as well as possibly a better learning curve. Hmmm, interesting.

I usually use Laptop with Windows 7 and everything has worked well. Just used my HTC One SV phone and Home page, your book, login, and fading out the follow or share on the bottom all work just fine. Funny thing is I can actually see the detail in the photos better on the phone. Thanks Brett for making this cell phone friendly.

Boots

Best of luck Bill! I never would have thought there would be evening classes....duh, like no one drives in the dark, lol. Although this time of year you would have more daylight than in the winter I suppose. Looking forward to hearing how things go.

Boots

Welcome Timothy! I also needed help with funding schooling and here is what I found worked for me.

Check with your unemployment office. They may be out of funds one month and then have funds in the next month. Ask them. Also as in my case two of the closest offices to me were not able to help but low and behold the next county over were able to help.

Check with the administration at any of your local trucking schools. They often know of folks that provide grant money that no one has ever even heard of.

After a lot of phone calls and paperwork I got the help I needed and now this Thursday I will start the private school of my choice.

Keep positive help is out there and on here too! :-)

Boots

Jopa, that "BTW" is a new and funny one for me, lol. Sorry haven't figured out the quote stuff yet. I have grown to like Reno pretty well for a desert town. And it's close to some of my favorite NorCal haunts. I see you're my neighbor in the Tahoe area.

One of the reasons I joined here after much perusing is the positive advice that consistently is put forth from each of the members. I commend Brett and the moderators on keeping this site welcoming and informative while keeping it real. As often as I have read that the key to a great company is to be a great employee with a positive attitude, I can not hear it enough. It is so true and so often I've forgotten it. I hope to always be grateful for the reminder, so I thank you.

Your would be correct in that I was east of Sparks and Fernley stops. I will be attending a private school in Sparks. It is rare now days that I get to the west Reno locations but it should not be said that I won't be going there. There is some great hiking on the Truckee out of Verdi ;-) I get what you're referring to about the "ahem...ladies." I will more likely get mistaken for some hippy hitchhiker, nonetheless it does feel awkward to be just hanging around looking to chat it up about trucking. I will get over it soon and I will prevail! :-)

I've sort of set my sites on a company already. I've spoken with a driver and recruiter from said company. Now the very experienced driver has been with them around 4 months and has high praise. The recruiter (ex driver) is new in the recruiting dept. and he has conflicting information. I think he was a little timid in his presentation since there were a lot of questions he was not prepared for. As I start learning more about things I expect to broaden my choices. No sense getting my hopes up on one company. At this point my plan is to go with a company that I may want to stay with past a year. I'm not big on jumping around....read: I really dislike looking for a job, lol.

I look forward to hearing about the training at your chosen company. From the different threads going about it I see how quickly things can change. The comforting thing to me is that here there is consistent communication and support for any of us that reach out for it. Thank you for your hints on places close to me!

Boots

Good job on getting your permit! I like how you say "met MY requirement." I call that taking charge of making a good decision ;-)

Update, plan A. I wanted to find the positive before posting, so here goes. I went to three truck stops and did not manage to find one driver to speak with. It might have been helpful had I actually got out of the car, haha. Friday afternoon and there were a lot of things going on. I got the evil eye from the guy who drives around the golf cart and many other eyes wondering why I was circling around. There really is no where a 4 wheeler parks nearby. I get it, safety and security come to mind. Being on unfamiliar turf, randomly walking around, approaching a group from far away, or just standing off to the side waiting...all pretty awkward for a woman. Maybe I should have posted in the Ladies of trucking forum? The positive is I learned. Find a less busy time and have a prop.

Plan B, bring the bludog! I think this will be a way to appear to have a reason to be there in the first place as well as a way to break the ice. Plan B also will help with introducing the bludog to the environment. I will have him on a leash and stay out of the way of fueling and such. Sometimes I think I may be getting ahead of myself since I have yet to even start school...then again I do love to research and this is one of the approved ways, right? Thanks for listening :-)

I had to click on the little photobucket icon which brought me to your photobucket site to view this properly. Along with the video you have some great shots of the beautiful country you are working in. I find this sort of trucking very appealing. First things first so I better get back on the High road test site. Thank you!

Congrats to you Old School! I feel fortunate to read your wise advice and see that it has brought you success with your company!