Comments By toonces

So today I was out on my school's driving range trying to do the offset back. I had done it once last week with an instructor hanging on the door the entire time. Then tried a couple of times today and I just wasn't getting it. I got so frustrated with myself that I started crying. And then I got mad at myself for crying, so of course that made me cry more. (It doesn't help that It was like 95 outside and the sun was blazing.) I was wearing sunglasses so I'm hoping my instructor and partner just thought I was sweating since it was so hot. I was so exasperated that I just had to get out of the truck and let my partner take a turn. Another instructor came over to help me later and I did a couple with his help. But the thing is, I still can't do one without someone right there telling me what to do. I'm just so frustrated that I can't get this. Everyone else in my class seemed to pick it up so easily. This back just has my brain in knots. I get confused and turned around. By the time I'm in the middle of it, I can't even tell you where I'm trying to go or where I am! The thing is, when the instructor is telling me when & where to turn, I don't understand *why* I need to do that. I don't get the overall picture. I've been trying to watch my partner do it, and at the same time trying to think, "ok, he's turning this way now until he gets here.." etc. And I even bought a toy truck to see if that would help, and it's just not. On other skills, like the double clutching or the straight backing, I'm still very rusty, but I understand *why* I'm doing what I'm doing during the maneuver. On those, I can feel that I will get better with practice. Not with the offset though! I'll tell ya, these guys in my class are some rough, country dudes and I cannot let them see me cry! I'm the only girl out of 16 and because of that, they really pay attention to everything I do. I was seriously so upset today that I almost just left school and went back to my motel room. Please someone lie to me and tell me that you were this confused and that you are now and awesome offset-backer. :)

Hi Uriah,

We probably will run into each other! I officially started on 6/1 and I believe my graduation date is 7/1. I'll elaborate more this weekend when I have more time, but it's a great school. Newer trucks, great range, 2 students per truck, very experienced and patient instructors. But, be prepared to put in a lot of work. Because it's PTDI, there is independent instruction required. So in addition to trying to memorize your pre-trip and other processes, you have a couple of chapters of reading and homework questions each night. We began straight backing yesterday and I still don't have it completely down. Everyone else seemed to pick it up much quicker. Standing out in the blazing hot sun all day doesn't help :) I got sunburned even though I put on sunscreen. And of course since I'm the only girl out of 16, everyone pays a lot of attention to how I'm doing :( But honestly, I feel very lucky to be learning at this school. The range seriously looks like a golf course! There is probably an aerial shot of it on their website if you want to check it out. I'll post more this weekend!

Hi Toonces, another Okie here. I will be starting with Central Tech on June 22, maybe we will run into each other? You graduate on the 27th right? How are classes going? What do you think of Central Tech so far?

Great tip Old School. I am going to remember this one when I start.

Here's a tip for you and for all newbies - when backing up into a dock or a parking lot, always roll your windows down, turn off any radios that could be distracting you. This way you will always hear the dreadful scraping noise if you start to make contact with something. I witnessed once at a truck stop a guy backing his truck and slowly continuing to crush the front end of another truck that was blowing his air horn at the guy to try and warn him. The driver was a young guy with his windows rolled up and loud music going. I could hear his music and see him bobbing his head to the beat as he kept on moving in reverse despite the fact that he had already made contact with the truck that was blowing their air horn - It was almost surreal to witness.

Haha. I had to Google that.

I think you mean Beau Geste:

I may not post a lot, but I've read a TON of old posts and the same names kept coming up: Errol, G-town, Brett, Daniel and of course, Old School. I think rookies on this site would be lost without these wonderful guys. The information and advice has been so helpful to me and has had a direct effect on the choices I've made so far. And I know after I start school next week I will probably be on here posting "help me" messages.

Hello fellow Okies, Bolt & Mindfreak!

Errol, every time I see your photo, for some reason I think it looks like what Beau Bridges would have looked like as a teen.

Like CS said, I've also heard it's easier to learn when you've never driven a manual. One of the instructors at my upcoming school told me this. Which has me kinda worried because all I've ever driven were manual cars, so at this point it's kind of like I'm on auto-pilot. So I will probably have to really concentrate to get the double clutching down. Good thing you haven't started that Class B class yet!

Hi Trucking Truth!

I wanted to formally say hello to everyone and thank you for the great site. I've been lurking for a couple of months, but haven't had to post much because I was able to answer most of my questions by just searching old posts.

Also I wanted to share how I found my way to Trucking Truth. A few months ago I got the idea to become a driver and started doing research. My first concern was what challenges I would face entering such a male-dominated industry. So, I did some searching on female drivers and first came across this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO1Un0V_UaI by a trucker named Desiree. She talked about how cdl schools are ripoffs and how many trucking companies don't take complaints of sexual harassment seriously, and gave a list of companies to avoid. So then, I found the blog post she mentioned in the video, where she tells her story of first starting out as a driver. As I read through it, it just sounded awful! She was attacked by one driver, other co-drivers didn't help her do the driving, another one sprayed bleach on her, lots of bad stuff. I started seriously questioning my decision to become a trucker. But by the 5th bad trainer she said she had, I started to wonder how likely it was that one person would get so many bad trainers or co-drivers in a row.

So, I did some more searching about female drivers and ended up here on Trucking Truth. I read old posts here for weeks and never ran across a woman saying she had experienced anything like what Desiree said. I was so happy to find a group of informed, helpful, nice people! The funny thing is, Desiree warned against working for Prime. And then I end up here on TT and learn that Prime is probably one of the best companies that a rookie could started with.

I just wanted to share all of that because if I hadn't found TT, and had just based my decision on what Desiree said, I probably wouldn't have pursued a trucking career. After reading many posts here about the trucking lifestyle, and watching some of Allie Knight's videos, my mind was made up.

I started saving so that I would have enough money to pay bills for 2 months, which I figured would be enough time to get me through cdl school and get hired. I had been planning on applying to a company-sponsored training program, like Prime. But at the last minute, I applied for a WIA grant and was approved in only a week! I took my cdl permit test yesterday and passed on the first try, thanks to the High Road Training program.

I will be starting school June 1st at a place called Central Tech, which is in a small town about 45 miles away from me. I could only find a few mentions of it online, but what I read was positive. It's been there for more than 40 years and it's PTDI certified, so I think those are good signs. Plus, it's on Crete's approved school list, another good sign. From what I've read, Crete is my 1st choice for employment, but honestly I will be happy to get on with anyone that will take me!

I can't wait to get started!

Thanks for reading my long-winded post! :)

Way to go Flatie! Hope to see you out there sometime!

Thank you all for the encouragement! Oh I forgot to mention 6 students quit in the class coz they got frustrated and said they couldn't do it!!!

Way to go! That's gotta make you feel good that you were able to stick with it while others quit.