Comments By Jacinda P.

Congratulations!!!

One of our regulars, Sue is a West Side driver (you may already know that). She'll be happy to hear this...

Good luck and safe travels.

Thanks! I can hardly wait!

Hi Everyone, I start with West Side Transport the first week of December! I went through my hysterectomy surgery last Tuesday! Only 5 weeks left in recovering! Sue D, what is it like working for West Side Transport? What do I need to know for the physical? I'm going to get a sleeping bag with sheets like you did, but anything else I'll need for the 5 weeks out?

I am so thankful for everyone that helped me pass and get my CDL-A! I'm mean everyone here!

Hi Jill, way to go girl, as far as hubby tell him to ask instructors or classmates if they would help him if there's no positive help then check out Iowa Central Community College. They'll pay his ticket to get there and work with him on whatever he needs. I have a slight learning disability and they worked with me. I passed and got my cdl-a!

HI! I'm currently going to Iowa Central Community College, and I love it! It is 11 weeks long, but worth every minute! I have a LOT of jobs behind me and was fired for "stealing a clock radio!" (really? I already owned 3 at the time, why would I need to steal one more (geesh)! They are wonderful people, instructors and even the director is involved and approachable! They will get you grants and loans so you don't have to pay up front AND, They will pay your way to and from school! They also have housing and now a bus that picks up and transports you to school if that is an issue. It's located in Fort Dodge, IA. www.iowacentral.edu

Main Campus One Triton Circle Fort Dodge, IA 50501 800-362-2793 / 515-576-7201

Ask for Jaimey

So I started class last week, never been in a tractor/trailer before other than a rider twice, I got consistently yelled at about double shifting and not getting the gears. All the while, the trainer was texting and messaging on facebook and barely lifted his head from it. This week I got a different trainer and he made more sense to me, however as I went out on the road yesterday and today, I forgot everything they were telling me or if I remembered, it wasn't good enough or fast enough. This is only my 6th day in the tractor, but today I was given until Friday to get it together... Help!?!

I also had a bad experience at a school, the trainers would yell, threaten or whatever and of course, most of us don't learn like that. I shut down and can't concentrate. I (along with others) left that school as soon as we could. I ended up at a different school that was wonderful and I know have my CDL.

I know your post is over 1 month old, what ended up happening?

So I started class last week, never been in a tractor/trailer before other than a rider twice, I got consistently yelled at about double shifting and not getting the gears. All the while, the trainer was texting and messaging on facebook and barely lifted his head from it. This week I got a different trainer and he made more sense to me, however as I went out on the road yesterday and today, I forgot everything they were telling me or if I remembered, it wasn't good enough or fast enough. This is only my 6th day in the tractor, but today I was given until Friday to get it together... Help!?!

I also had a bad experience at a school, the trainers would yell, threaten or whatever and of course, most of us don't learn like that. I shut down and can't concentrate. I (along with others) left that school as soon as we could. I ended up at a different school that was wonderful and I know have my CDL.

I know your post is over 1 month old, what ended up happening?

Hi I ended up finding a school that I love! Thanks for the understanding!

I know the truck is 80,000 by itself and it was an empty trailer so the thought of it being full with not enough experience was just too much for me.

Uhhh... This is a little bit of misinformation!

That weight of 80,000 pounds is the maximum allowable without a permit. When your trailer is empty you are no where near that weight.

Oops, thanks for that! :-P

Not everyone trains the same, find one you like and push to get them in your corner, at the end of the day you are still responsible for getting the training you need, make your needs known, call them out on the limited time frame and abrasive learning atmosphere. Than keep trying your hardest to show improvements, no matter how small, this is what you build on till you succeed, if they put you on a bus, find another school, you passed all the criteria to get there, someone else will give you a shot. My wife went thru 2 schools in this manner. She hated the first and loved the second, completely different methodology. Just don't give up on yourself. :)

You are so right! I ended up deciding to leave. I didn't want to be driving an 80,000 lb weapon not being able to focus on what I need to when the trainer is screaming at me. I am waiting for an application from another school here in Iowa it is like 3 hours away and will have to find a temp home for my dog but the class is for 9 weeks and if I need more than I need more and they are willing to help! It's a private school so that I won't be locked into a contract, plus there is a 290 internship with the co of my choice.

What school is this? I certainly don't think yelling is the way to teach ANYTHING. Sorry to hear a story like this. I am currently at Swift Phoenix, and not a single instructor has raised their voice to anyone. Very helpful and patient with all students. we all learn at different rates and levels!

It's in Cedar Rapids, IA and yes yelling is not the way for me to learn coming from a mom who constantly yelled instead of talking to me. Thanks so much for the encouragement! I may have to look into that school! :)

You've been in school for a week, plus 6 days on a tractor? How can you "forget" everything? I can understand the "too slow", since you're new. I didn't forget everything I just couldn't time it right once out on the side roads, interstate was easy though. How is the steering part of your driving? I do really well with the steering part. Can you keep between the lines? Yes and even kept it off the dirt going around tight curves and corner's. That's not a stupid question. In a big truck, the traffic lines seem closer together. How much practice did you get with double clutching before you started driving? Absolutely none. Are you able to watch other students when you're not in the driver's seat? I did have one student to ride with and he did pretty good especially since he was from Africa. Ask your instructor to not yell, since it gets you flustered. I did but he couldn't stop and almost hit my classmate yesterday. Each time you shift, focus on just that - try to improve from last time, but don't focus on the mistake so much.

Long story short I quit because the trainer got worse and I couldn't stop being so scared, I didn't feel comfortable enough to go out to the interstates up and down the on and off ramps plus get up to speed and watch for other traffic while my trainer is screaming the whole time. I know the truck is 80,000 by itself and it was an empty trailer so the thought of it being full with not enough experience was just too much for me.