Profile For G-Town

High Road CDL Training Program

Grizzly you will learn everything you need to know about passing the CLP tests in the (Above) High Road Training link. I encourage you to use this tool to enable your learning process and prepare for trucking school.

Okay.

My test in PA (almost 7 years ago) covered bumper to bumper and expected the same level of detail you expressed. Took over 45 minutes to recite chapter and verse of the PTI.

If you know the material and the correct/complete wording, no matter what state your are testing in, you will pass.

Not questioning your decision to go with this school. 160 hours of formal schooling is the minimum requirement for any reputable carrier and their insurance company for hiring entry level drivers.

Good luck!

Andhe78 wrote

Too funny, almost mentioned the same thing, but figured I'd already been mean enough.

I wasn’t mean with him. Blunt yes. Trying to get Jay and to a lessor extent Isabell to focus on what’s really important and relevant here.

That said; Jay if your trainer offers you no input while you are driving for 6 hours, consider it a good thing. Based on your posts, this trainer is not shy about voicing the most minor of concerns. If you were doing something wrong, he’d let you know about it.

Focus more on what “Jay” is doing, and less on critiquing your trainer. In the grand scheme of things, training time is a blip on your radar screen. It’s temporary. Make the best of it and don’t expect your trainer to be your best friend. Not their job.

We actually have to pass the school's pre-trip and driving test before we go test with the state. The school's pre-trip is more comprehensive than the state test.

When attending any school be it private or Paid CDL Training Programs a student is required to graduate with the training certificate confirming they satisfactory met the requirements of the 160 hour course.

You mentioned your schools PTI is more comprehensive than the state test. Can you be more specific?

Good luck.

Congratulations Victor! Well done.

It’s interesting to me Jay that you chose to write a detailed reply directed at a member having no trucking experience and far less knowledge than you.

My suggestion (not that you’re asking), is to review and focus on the information and feedback from the experienced drivers on this forum, specifically what Brett and Old School wrote.

Good luck.

I frequent the diary section if for nothing else the entertainment value as some of our members are quite funny, although not necessarily trying to be... Every once in a while someone, in this case "Jay" writes something notable, even profound. I want to share this with the general forum in light of the frequent stream of "newbies" that exhaustively research our industry in an attempt to find the Holy Grail of trucking companies.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did...here goes, from "Jay G", a current Prime Trainee and Trifecta Winner.

Finally after drumming up the courage and doing a bit of research, I elected to go with Prime. Now, you can drive yourself crazy trying to divine what company is going to be best from tea leaves, the position of the stars in the night sky, and disgruntled reviewers online, but honestly many of these large companies have many success stories and successful drivers. Worst case scenario, I swallow my pride and tough it out for the experience. So I based my decision on the most arbitrary factor; I think the Prime Inc Logo looks really cool, lol (no not really, but still an important factor!)

Here is a link to the diary he just started, might prove to be one of the better examples when it's "all said and done"... welcome to Trucking Jay!

Here is a link to Jay G's Diary

My uncorrected vision is in a similar direction as yours, including the slight astigmatism.

I would discuss what you are trying to accomplish; operating a rig, specifically backing in tight quarters with your Eye Doc. Mention the depth perception point Steve made, they can perform a basic test for that (I think). Provide as much information as they need. But for me...my glasses are all about distance acuity. It works for me, maybe it will work for you as well.

Jay that is a fantastic journal. Full of practical, common sense snippets of wisdom. I encourage anyone seriously considering trucking as a career to read Jay's experience summary...

Of everything he wrote, this little ditty was my favorite...and oh, so true! Here it is:

Finally after drumming up the courage and doing a bit of research, I elected to go with Prime. Now, you can drive yourself crazy trying to divine what company is going to be best from tea leaves, the position of the stars in the night sky, and disgruntled reviewers online, but honestly many of these large companies have many success stories and successful drivers. Worst case scenario, I swallow my pride and tough it out for the experience. So I based my decision on the most arbitrary factor; I think the Prime Inc Logo looks really cool, lol (no not really, but still an important factor!)

The timing of this is perfect when considering the plethora of protracted research and spreadsheets we frequently discuss with folks in the "tire-kicking" phase. Brett should take this quote and put in his book...just my 2 cents!

Great stuff Jay. Keep up the good work, safe travels... and "watch that wagon".

Do you have or need new glasses? A guy in my class had the same problem, new glasses really helped him.

20 / 20 with current (no line tri-focals) and only a minor change from a year+ ago. Opthamologist was REALLY pleased, actually. My need to see her was one of the "reasons" my now former Endocrinologist wouldn't sign the (then) required insulin diabetes form.

NOT LOOKING TO JUST DISMISS THE CONCEPT... perhaps I am having an issue with WHICH PORTION of the lenses I am looking through??? Anyone with bi or tri-focals may be familiar with this one...

In the past I have noticed the issue occasionally when flying planes, riding motorcycles fast, etc. where the need to look near, medium and long-distance quickly comes into play. Maybe looking at different mirrors requires looking through a different part of the lenses? Need to do this is something one "learns quickly" but also is something I, at least, tend to not think about. The assumption is the "brain" knows which to use and the eyes adjust.

Doubt it but sort of grasping at straws at this point in time.

Anyone?

Not so sure about the straws Marc...

I have corrected vision of 20/10. Uncorrected 20/80. I have a 2 sets of driving glasses that are only for distance and have no other optical features. I find when I try my other glasses for driving or backing, "bi-focal" my vision is conflicted (cannot think of a better word). If I need to read something (while stationary), I'll remove the glasses and if need be put on a pair of readers.

But for me when driving...all about distance acuity. I would discuss this with your Eye Doc.

It’s rare we get “two” in two days...full moon was last week. Go figure...

David Z in reference to Brett’s reply...

Lol you must be a former or present CRST employee as well I still have a job there for your information, they screwed up and they admitted it

Hey Genius...

You just insulted the founder and owner of Trucking Truth...

The “LOL“ is on you...

Amazon Prime has many, many contractors delivering their packages, door-to-door...no CDL required to operate a step-van.

Might be a good place to start.

Good luck Marc.

Persistence eventually overcomes resistance. You got tons of “Heart” Man...huge props on that.

Again, best of luck. Hope this works for you.

Sorry to hear that.

There is no substitute for practice and repetition when it comes to skills and of course, confidence. Get as much as you can before the next test.

You’ve got to nail the straight line with zero points saving them for the more complicated maneuvers. When doing the straight line make sure you are already set-up in a straight line, centered between the cones. Go slow in reverse and make only minor corrections when you see the trailer drifting off-track. Use both your mirrors as you do this, alternating between left and right. Know where you are in relation to the course at all times.

One of the best ways to limit oversteer is grip the steering wheel at its lowest point, in the center, palms down. Your elbows tucked into your sides. This technique makes it almost impossible to over steer and/or over correct in the straight line backing maneuver.

Practice, practice and more practice.

You’ll never know until you apply...and I’d expand your inquires beyond Swift. Cast the net and see what jumps in...

Paid CDL Training Programs

Apply For Paid CDL Training

I agree with PackRat. Was just about to post the same thing...

Without knowing basic information about “your friend”; impossible to effectively guide him or her.

Unless they have current experience greater than a couple of years, the one day approach is unlikely to yield the results they desire. If I were to guess, they allowed their CDL to expire and now want it reinstated. That is why the current experience question is relevant.

Swift has a terminal in Ocala and is the primary Walmart Dedicated transportation partner running Store deliveries out of the Winterhaven DC.

Before you get to far along...we suggest investing time and energy in reviewing and studying our starter links:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

How much experience do you have? How current is it?

Welcome KP.

I am unfamiliar with a one-day CDL school. Care to provide more info?

That said for Class A, we overwhelmingly recommend Paid CDL Training Programs. No reputable company or their insurance carrier will consider an entry level driver with anything less than a 3 week training certificate.