Comments By Penny

I am just in school and have been on the backing range a few times.

Best advice so far that has worked for me is to watch the lights on the back of the trailer when straight backing. I am in night school so the lights are easy to see. No idea if they are quite as easy during the day or not.

When you see the a trailer light in your right mirror and one in your left at about the same place, you're pretty straight. If you see it more in your right mirror, turn to the right. More in the left, turn to the left. Small movements, no more than a quarter turn of the wheel. I'm not an expert or anything, but this has helped me tremendously to not wander out into neverland.

Backing one handed seems to help as well, with my right hand (my dominant hand) at the top of the wheel.

You'll have opportunity in school to back. The school wants you to get your license, so they will help you out.

Now if I can get gear shifting and offset backing, I'll be in gravy!

Thank you, Rainy, for sharing those numbers. It is helpful for someone coming into the industry to have an idea of what to expect that first year. Your openness is definitely appreciated!

I am so happy you're back in the saddle! Please keep us posted on your progress!

I'm in school now and my word is it ever a challenge!

You are such a determined lady, I know you are going to do just fine!

You've got this!

Yeah, Dan, I mostly just grazed the cone...THE SAME DARN CONE EVERY DANG TIME!! Yes, it made me angry, but I finally beat that obstacle!

I did dump the clutch one night in Mr. Wilson's truck. And was reminded not to. I have been EXTREMELY careful since and I certainly hope not to repeat that mistake again. I got nervous and did it, but they seem to be pretty cool as long as you make an effort to correct the error of your ways!

Lord help me if I hit a light pole. I sure don't want to do THAT!! I'll do my best to avoid any of that. I'm pretty good about taking instruction and doing my best, so I'll hope that all will be well there!

Not sure whether I'll be in the group on the range tonight or in the group on Perimeter Road.

This is probably the biggest challenge I've had since raising four teenagers at one time. If I can do that, I can do this. Just a completely different skillset! And a lot more coordination. Mr. Smith told me that changing gears was a lot like dancing. I grinned and told him I tended to step on feet! The instructors all seem tough but fair. I know I'm in good hands.

I've been going over my Railroad Hazmat dialogue during work breaks today. If I don't get completely frazzled, I think I've got it.

Where are you working now, Dan? I think you may have mentioned it, but I can't remember!

Auntie Am, thank you. It's good to be missed!

I did okay on the obstacle course. I did hit a cone a few times and had to go round and round, but I still ended up with an 88 overall on the course. I wished it had been better, but it is what it is and I didn't do too badly I guess.

Tonight part of the class will be on the backing range with the other part on public roads.

It's getting very, very real. A little scary but also exciting.

I'm going to master these beasts, I am!

Nacho B, that's not necessarily true.

I was able to take my HazMat written test prior to having a background check. In South Carolina.

I will have to go get the background check done and get a letter from TSA to take back to the DMV to get the endorsement put on my license.

Nice job! You are amazing!

I can't wait to share my success in a few months!

Just got my permit recently and General Knowledge was 50 questions, Combinations, Air Brakes, Doubles and Triples and Tanker was 25 questions on each of those tests and Haz Mat was 30 questions.

That was in SC, but should be similar elsewhere I'd think. We use the CDL manual that a number of other states use, so I'd think the testing would be set up similarly.

The cost in SC is a $15 application fee, then $2 per test. The application fee covers taking the written tests 3 times, but you do pay $2 for each test each time you take it. If you fail a test three times, then you pay the $15 again. (I know this from classmates). I'm sure that each state charges a little differently as far as that goes.

And then for HazMat, you have to do that TSA background check and fingerprinting thing which is a completely different animal as well!

Good luck!

I was the lady who had to push the weights across the floor. It was in a DOT physical for school so I could get my permit. I also had to carry about 50 lbs.in a crate across the room. The weight was the same for both men and women, because, well, I am trying to be a truck driver :-).

I have not yet had to take a company physical. Or agility test.

The weight portion really wasn't that hard. I did have to put in some effort for the crate, but pushing the weight across the room was a breeze.

The DOT physical was required before I could get a permit in my state. They went ahead and also did a drug screen for school at the same place.

It really wasn't that big a deal and a lot of companies have agility tests, so it may behoove you to just make sure you can lift 50 lbs and scoot something heavy across the floor. It won't hurt any to be prepared!

Good luck!

The whispered numbers to me during the test. First one was loud, second one a little softer and third one a little softer, but it wasn't hard to hear it. I was surprised they even did it softer and softer since a "forced whisper" isn't necessarily soft.