Comments By hamrhed12

Way to go man! You make me proud! I knew you could do this, all along I had faith in ya! So what's your next move?

Today we graduate...and PARTY! I plan to study this weekend and go for the HAZMAT next Monday or Tuesday (already have doubles/triples & tankers), then I put myself up on the auction block.

Was all set to go with one company I had a pre-hire from, but then I found out I'd have to bring the truck and trailer home if I ever wanted to get home! Don't know what I'd do with them...I live in the burbs, 2 miles from the nearest truck route, and their nearest terminal is 6 hours away.

Time to throw out some more bait, I suppose!

Pre-Trip *check*

In-Cab *check*

Skills Pad *check*

Road Test *check*

CDL-A

Hamrhed...I'll let someone else say whether renting a trailer to practice with would be a good idea..Is the campus totally closed for the whole week ??? Maybe it would of been nice if they had had an instructor who was willing to spend some time a few days that week, with those that wanted to practice...The trailer isn't a bad idea...I'm just wonderin' if it would be worth what ya get out of it.

The campus is closed, totally. Several students have inquired about extra instruction for those of us that are struggling, for an additional fee, of course, but the answer has always been that it's against school policy.

What a week! It was Friday before I was able to knock out a perfect alley dock...went 3 for 4. We were evaluated for progress on Wednesday, and I knocked out an offset, but in practicing them on Thursday and Friday I was all over the pad. Terrible! Been so discouraged, this is the first time I've been back to the forum all week. So, Crazy Reb, I'll try your perspective of looking at it the next time.

Now, here's the rub. Spring Break. We are off for an entire week, then we test out, skills and road test. It wouldn't be so bad if this was the kind of test we could study for, but skills are all about practice, and we can't.

This student friend and I are thinking of renting the biggest U-haul trailer we can find and using that one day next week just to practice backing up. I know the dimensions and perspective will be off, but we figure it's got to be better than doing nothing.

Or, do you guys and gals think it would do more harm than good?

I can parallel park to the right or to the left, but my offsets have regressed to worse than awful. What's wrong with THAT picture? One should be able to offset decently before they can parallel park. We start alley docking next week, and I Hate to add that to the repertoire before I conquer the other.

Perhaps I should change the title to this thread!

That's great news Old School. I hope TMC appreciates what they're getting.

Hammer down, my friend!

Best friends I never met!!

Dang, Old School...you very nearly put a tear in my eye and a croak in my throat! When you're done with this, you and Brett should team up. You two could be the Norman Vincent Peale's of trucking! In the meantime, though, I'll be looking for you in that flatbed. I intend to collect my handshake and buy you a cup of Joe!

And thanks to you too, Daniel B. I think I'll be okay once I get rid of the sensation of turning the wrong direction when I'm backing a trailer! It feels so weird...almost like an amusement ride that's intended to mess with your senses.

I'll get it. I just have to keep hacking away. Thanks to all for sharing your sentiments.

Brett - I sometimes wonder if I will ever be as mature as you. I spend almost as much time beating myself up as I do evaluating. I doubt I've had 5 hours behind the wheel on the pad, and before this week I'd never been in truck before with the engine running. I know I should cut myself some slack, but I don't want to graduate just by the skin of my teeth...I want to be the best there is.

And, Troubador, I hear ya. That's what bothers me the most...the fear of not getting enough practice time on the skills pad. They keep stressing, "this is college, not a trucking school." Well, okay then, in college if a student needs extra help, tutoring is available. What about it? If a student is willing to put in the extra time and pay an extra fee, there should be a way and a means to get the extra practice. But, NOOOooooo! It's against policy.

Starcar...yes, I know, but I have to get out there first!!

Sorry. I just had one of those days that so often follows a good one. A day where I could do nothing right. I really need a restart this weekend!

The double clutching is coming along nicely. Down shifting is still a pain, but that will improve with practice. I drove through one of the most nightmarish traffic spots in the Jacksonville area today. My instructor said if I can drive a big rig through there, I can drive anywhere. I'm thinking of having Blanding Boulevard tattooed on my arm!

I performed my first offset parking maneuver today without being walked through it, which brings me to my question for anyone who wants to pitch in and help. When I did my offset, I had to pull forward before I could back in the slot. This is allowed, but I want to do it purdy. So, here's where I'm having difficulty. You do a hard turn, then a counter-steer to get your tractor and trailer squared at a 45 degree angle toward the slot. Then you center your steering wheel and do a straight back toward the center cone. At what point do you stop and do a hard turn to get the back of your trailer into the slot? Do your tandems need to be centered at the center cone, or what?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.