Comments By Garth M.

Doing the 90deg backup, remembering which gear I was in and reading all the signs while trying to check the mirrors and look 12 seconds down the road. The worst part was realizing that my first driving instructor actually thought I would learn from 10 minutes of driving and then having to stop and listen to him talk about it for the next 30 minutes. Luckily the next instructor just asked what I wanted to work on and would let me try as many times as I wanted while pointing out corrections when they became relevant.

I have and will continue to use the High Road Training modules for load securement now that my test drive is over and I've gone for a drug test and physical I start orientation Monday and I'm thinking they might want to hire me.

I just passed my driving test today and got my AZ license, and I would like to thank TT and all the drivers who post on this forum. When I was feeling low or overwhelmed, reading all your solid and uplifting advice always raised my spirits and gave me confidence in what I was going for. This is by far the best place for people considering getting started in the industry to find the best answers on a human level with no prejudice. Tomorrow I am test driving with a company that offers a great training plan and good equipment, details I may never have considered as important without this forum. I know I have a long way to go to become a professional but with this resource I'm looking forward to getting there. If I get in with this first company I would be regional flatbed and wouldn't be driving into the USA until after 6months driving experience so your all safe for now.

One thing I've had trouble with is getting the seat adjusted for the best clutch control, seriously. If I get it right everything goes great but sometimes it's a rocky ride until that happens and it affects my ability to find the gears as well. I'm getting better at it but I switch between two different but similar Freightliners and of course share the them with several other different sized people. Just some food for thought.

I'm struggling backing myself but lately with the help of my instructor I'm working on not over steering. My biggest problem is the location of the trailer tandems before turning the wheel right to begin the exercise but as long as I don't over steer I am able to correct easier. I'm on my second driving instructor thank goodness, the first did a poor job of explaining what to look at to keep the trailer straight he had me looking at the tractor tandems and didn't explain about looking in the mirrors to keep the trailer sides you see equal and turning the wheel towards the side that was bigger to straighten. I hope that doesn't confuse you. I saw a good video but I don't have it handy, the driver made it very simple by not getting into a blind side situation in the first place, fight the temptation to over correct.

I've been driving for 3 weeks now and occasionally I still forget what gear I'm in, especially when I'm thinking about some other thing that I'd just done wrong but compared to the first week I'm doing a lot better. Don't be too hard on yourself the negative vibes take on a life of they're own and you just have to roll with the punches. With all the anxiety I find getting enough sleep to be the most critical factor for having a good day.

I think it looks like something pushed against it got the leg to bend like that and then flatten against the pallet

Have you been getting enough sleep? Maybe if you called in sick and tried to get rested things would improve enough to get home ok. My brother suffers and when he starts pushing it at work he ends up not taking care of himself and then it seems to snowball. I know he will tend to over medicate to get his sleeping back in order and it only gets worse. Just some thoughts, best of luck. Of course you have the final say but keep a cool head.

I was hoping once I get a job and a few paycheques under my belt to celebrate and get a nice pair of western boots to drive in. My brother was telling me truckers are the last of the cowboys 😊

Oops make that a Columbia 😊