Posted: 7 years, 9 months ago
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Something I've been wondering...should I continue this thread or start a new one and let this one die?
Posted: 7 years, 9 months ago
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Don't push yourself too hard. It's much better to bite the bullet and admit that you are getting drowsy than to drive drowsy and put yourself and others at risk.
I know you want to prove yourself and jump right in but marathon driving is HARD! Especially at first when you haven't built up the stamina.
Remember, it's never a bad thing to tell your trainer that you simply can't drive anymore. And even once you are solo, it's always better to stop for a short nap if it's early on your clock or to stop earlier than planned for your 10 if you are getting too sleepy.
Good advice, CM. I drove almost 500 miles today before we stopped. I could have gone farther but my mentor was worried we would be in the middle of nowhere when,my time ran out. So, we're camped out at a Petro in Colby KS.
Posted: 7 years, 9 months ago
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I hear ya CM. Me and my mentor went to Walmart to stock up on food and now we're just berthing it. He's kinda bummed since we're losing all this time but I plan on driving like a beast to make it up.
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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Got my first taste of trucker life today. Lol
Well headed out of OKC to Jenks, OK to pick up a trailer bound for Washington. We got there about 2:30 only to be told the trailer won't be ready til tomorrow morning. Sigh...
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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Automatic transmission out of Cdl school help!
Anthony, I am feeling exactly the same as you. I was trained in a 10-speed manual, and tested in one as well. I definitely didn't feel totally at ease but I apparently mastered it enough to pass the test. Today at orientation I learned I'll be driving with a mentor in an automatic, getting a road evaluation in one and getting one myself once I get my own truck. I have no problem with automatics (I feel the positives outweigh any negatives regarding them), but I feel I'll be a few steps behind the people who are out there sharpening their skills in manuals. I realize the industry is heading that way, but it seems like I'll be shorting myself in the long run regardless.
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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Well, as of this afternoon I'm officially a truck driver! Rookie that is, but I was very proud of myself when I was finally issued my driver number and spoke to my mentor. He seems like a pretty easygoing guy so we should get along pretty wel . I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can so I can be as successful as possible once the leash comes off! :-)
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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I'm sorry I can't be a mentor in a dedicated account. The student would be in a hotel room every weekend. Aww shucks!
Best if luck, Lemmy!
Thanks Errol! Right now it looks like I'm not leaving til tomorrow. The good news is that my mentor's truck is brand new and automatic.
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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Day 2:
More videos and paperwork. We received classes on HoS, company benefits and other company policies. Tomorrow we're supposed to be assigned mentors and the real adventure begins!
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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Congrats! Hope to see you out there soon...I'm heading out tomorrow with my mentor!
Posted: 7 years, 9 months ago
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My Swift Journey, cont.
This is a continuation of my previous Swift training thread.
Today, my mentor and I went through Oregon, Utah, Idaho and Washington, where we're camped for the night. I've been getting a lot of driving time in and I'm loving it so far. I also got in some backing practice at a Flying J this afternoon. My mentor is very patient and explains his backing technique very well. We're only about 3 hours out from our delivery which isn't scheduled til the 8th, so we made good time. I got the pleasure of creeping down a couple of 6% grades, so that experience was definitely beneficial to me. I was starting to lose focus so I told my mentor I needed to stop so here we are. He was very understanding and said he would rather I do what I did than keep going and possibly hurt someone.