Comments By Ithel

Dec 30: Today was entirely backing practice. Because it snowed overnight and the plows had cleared the blacktop we had to reset the cones for both backing courses. Unfortunately a thin layer of compacted snow made it difficult to find the markers, so much was guesswork. But after we got things set, three of us shared one course and two shared the other. I was in the group of three. We got into a great rhythm, and each of us got in about 6 or 7 of each backing exercise, I think-- I lost count. Hopefully the courses weren't too far off.

The half-day originally planned for tomorrow has been canceled, so we have the next two days to revitalize, talk to family on the phone, and study pre-trip.

Good luck with the cold today, Rob.

Oh, you also asked about the driving route. I've picked out the first bits of it from comments the trainers have made, but ultimately I do not know the exact DoT road-test route.

Thanks for the kind words, Rob. We'll be testing right here on the same TMC course we're practicing on. I'm not certain how the arrangement works, but I believe it will be TMC employees who are DoT certified who will be conducting the tests (completely separate from the trainers).

The trainers have told us different numbers from those you mentioned, and I can't really account for that. I'll try to confirm # of pull-ups and GOALS for each procedure. They very clearly told us today, though, that hitting a cone was a 4 point deduction and an extra pull-up only a 1 point deduction. It is possible they were referring to an internal TMC scoring system, not sure, but that was not my understanding.

On our DoT test, we will do a straight-line back, an offset back to the right, and a 45 degree back. After passing the CDL I believe they teach an additional backing procedure called the TMC 45. No dock backing, no parallel.

I love this crazy thread.

Dec. 29: Today was much better. I spent the morning with a different trainer working on backing, and I've gained some confidence. Before every back, I thought of my girls and how much is riding on this. That cone there is a threat to our families dreams. This cone here wants to derail us. That encroachment is the enemy. Basically just taking a deep breath, reminding myself of the big picture, then focusing on this one piece, then the next, then the next. I didn't have any mishaps except on resetonthe 45 degree back. I had apparently set up a few feet to the right of the correct spot. Well I made sure not to repeat that. The other student with me hit 9 cones today. Sad to say, but I learned quite a lot just from watching him.

We'll spend the entire day tomorrow on backing (brrr........ high of zero expected) and half the day Sunday. Monday we have off. We take the CDL test Wednesday. My plan is to really hone my pretrip Monday. I have it memorized, but a couple parts don't flow well. Sometimes little tricks can help. I told one trainer I kept forgetting what the thing on the slack adjuster is called .....he pushed my shoulder, and now I'll never forget what a push rod is. A patient teacher like that can do wonders.

The afternoon I spent on the road just as the snow rolled in. The first bit I was on narrow, crowded streets in downtown Des Moines, learning button-hook turns. The roads were pretty slick when we finally got back to the training yard. Today's and yesterday's trainers both told me I was ready for the test. I sincerely hope they're right. I am glad some poor trainer was willing to come stand in the cold all day tomorrow on a holiday weekend so we can practice backing, because I can see that is where I need the most practice.

And just to reiterate, future readers, take all I've said with a grain of salt. This is a stressful experience, I am a quiet, golden-rule kind of person, and I am more likely to smile than scowl. The fellows with me have made comments along lines I've mentioned in this thread, but I don't think it's hit them quite as hard. If you come from a military background you'll probably feel at home here. One guy told me today this was a lot like bootcamp. So your mileage may vary depending on your background. For me, the tough part hasn't been the driving or the tests or the long hours or the cold or the physical labor--I've done well on all that, backing excepted (for now)--it's been the atmosphere. And being honest in this thread about it has helped me deal even with that. If I manage to get through this successfully, I think my wife and daughter will have something to be proud of in addition to money in the bank.

Anyway, lots of words from a wet-behind-the-ears 47 yr. old beginner. Let the reader beware.

Dec. 28-- Very rough day. All 7 of us are struggling with aspects of backing, to the extent that two fellows were sent home. I spent about 6 hours outside either backing or waiting my turn. The morning backing train or is impatient and demeaning.. I really thought I would be dismissed today, too. The evening trainors, though, were very patient and approachable, and I made considerable improvement. I did myoffset without a pull-up and my 45 with just one. I hope tomorrow to get some perfect ones in. Lots of people in foul mood because of snow. My bus left the hotel at 6 this morning and we got back to it at 9pm tonight.

I also drove 4.5 hours with an older trainorwho also was very encouraging. I did two backs at truck stops with him without a problem. I sent a pic of the first one to my girls.

Hopefully can keep this up a while. Very very tired. I feel real bad fo the two guys sent home. Real decent men, both of them.

Dec. 27th: Hi Rob, yes we were outside for backing exercises this morning, bitter cold. At our first break at 9am, the instructor showed us where to find winter coveralls--and I took him up on it. They did a Walmart run tonight and I bought some fleece underclothes and face hood for tomorrow. We're somewhat under pressure because of the double holiday weekend. My CDL class has only 3 days of road practice (Thrs, Fri, and next Tues) before the DOT test next Wednesday.

So about today-- much progress. I spent the first hour indoors doing pre-trip. We will do this every morning now. I've been working hard on this so each morning is a great review. TMC has a pre trip video specific to their Peterbilt 579's that everyone must memorize for the test. The gentleman teaching this made the video. I don't believe it is publically accessible unfortunately.

After this, half the class went out on the road (all one-on-one) and half had the initial backing lesson. The instruction was so good and the technique so well explained that I did all three backs successfully the first time with only one pull-up. I was very slow however so much room for improvement.

After lunch, the groups switched and it was my turn on the road for about 3 and a half hours. I had a different instructor today and she really helped me with my shifting. I've been pushing the clutch too far. She had me pull my seat back a bit to force me to use my toes instead of the balls of my feet. She also had me identify my gears as I shifted. These two things alone vastly improved my shifting and down-shifting. Hopefully I continue to progress.

Sorry for no wise advice for anyone. My brain is full of tight and secured not cracked broken or leaking.

I'm going to have to defer to your experienced assessment on this. All I know is, purposeful or not, I am determined to see this thing through. I can't express how much this site and your perspective are helping me stay on my feet right now. So.... thank you very much, yet again.

As I'm riding back to my second week of training, your post and story are the right medicine. Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your experience. You seem plenty eloquent to me, my friend.