Comments By The Captain

Not a problem. Sounds to me like you're having testing anxiety. It's fine if you miss a gear here and there, but you did correct it, and that matters. As far as turns, I was told by my instructors that 6th is fine for a turn. I've read some post on here, though, and other instructors have told their students to make turns in 5th. That just seems a little too risky for me. With us being newbies, and downshifting in new, having to worry about flipping down and finding 5th as well just doesn't make much sense to me. Adding too much pressure, when clearly 6th is fine to turn with. I took to shifting pretty well though. I've had several vehicles that were manual. That's probably not the best thing, because I am starting out with some bad habits from that, but I also already knew where the lower gears were. Didn't take long to get used to stacking another set on top of them. I listen for the rpm when I'm shifting now. I try to shift at least a little lower than what I'm supposed to. It seems to help with the grinding and the jumping of the cab. Take it slow. Try not to think about it and just feel it. When you hop into that truck, it is an extension of you. That truck becomes a part of you and you move that truck through shear force of will. Just like you would an arm or a leg. That's how I've always felt when I got into any vehicle. Yeah, it took a couple of weeks to get used to such a big truck, but I did. The issue that I am having is that every instructor has their own way of doing things. This past weekend was horrible. We've had an instructor gone since the first weeks of our training to get certified to be a CDL examiner. He came back last week and started trying to re-teach us. Doing it HIS way. Which is fine, and does seem a little better than the others, but I've already got my foundation set up. I was on my way to discovering MY own style of driving. Just screwed me all up. At one time, I stopped the truck in mid back, put the brakes on and walked away. I had to step away. I was so frustrated because I was making mistakes that I had not made since I tried to back in my first week. Just made me wonder if I was actually gaining skill, or if I'm just getting lucky here and there. Good or bad days. Who knows. Anyway, sorry to steal your thread there. Good luck on your next try. Get in, take a deep breath, and just enjoy the ride.

Congrats!!!!!

I completely understand where you're coming from Kolibri. I'm usually the fastest learner and hardest worker. I am on my last week in CDL school. I struggle with things that I haven't struggled with since I started this. Then I nail everything and I feel like I've got it down. Then I'll come back in the next week and I become an utter failure. i know people have good days and bad days, but this is getting a little ridiculous. All I can do is keep my head up, keep a good attitude, and keep on striving. I still love being behind the wheel of the truck though, no matter if I have a good OR bad day. Best of luck on your CDL testing. Be safe

Hey DSTURBD. How are things going?

Hey Kolibri. Haven't heard from you in a couple of days. How is the testing going?

Sic em Rainy

Had my first perfect alley dock yesterday. NO PULLUPS!!!!! I can't describe to you how good that felt. I'm sure a lot of it was just luck, but I really am getting the hang of it. Had a bit of city driving Saturday, which I learned a lot. My consisted driving down one of our busiest roads. It's a 6 lane road that I hate to drive even in my car. Which is considerably smaller. Things are clicking and it feels amazing every time I get behind the wheel of that truck. Hope everyone has a great week. Be careful and good luck..

Things were looking pretty rough for my entire class this past weekend. We had everything nailed the weekend before, and it's like we all just forgot everything we learned previously. I remember sitting there in the garage, watching everyone take pull up after pull up. The movie Varsity Blues came to mind. The part where they go to the strip club the night before the football game. When the game came around, they were all hung over and got the crap kicked out of them. That's what this last weekend felt like. Hopefully we can get out of this funk that we were in. Best of luck to all currently attempting their CDLs and drive safe for those already on the road.

Yay!!! Congrats!!!!

Congrats!!!!