Comments By Bonarro

I'm also doing a daily diary of my new adventure into the trucking industry. Today is day five attending Roehl's Driver Training School here in Marshfield Wi. I'm doing it just to share with my family mostly. It helps me feel connected to them when I'm away from home. I won't be making my entries public because I'm a terrible writer. However, I do enjoy reading about the adventures of others going through school.

Bonarro, Check out this YouTube video on double clutching the best I've seen.

How To Double Clutch A Tractor Trailer This is an explanation about how to double clutch shift a tractor trailer

Thank You so much for that.

Yep, it just a phase we all have to endure. Once you are out there and floating for a while it will catch you in reverse. Get in you manual car and grind the gears because you want to float them.

That's funny that you mentioned it. I got in my S-10 after class and forgot how to drive it.

Congrats to both of you!!! Never a doubt!

Thanks Brother !

Your in Dales' truck now....Hummm we have seen each other and didn't even realize it....I'm in Bob's truck finishing up. Tomorrow is graduation.....

Hey,I think we met this morning. I was with a woman from Dale's truck when you guys were warming up your rig. What a small world it is. If We don't see each other tomorrow I hope your new career turns out to be great for you. Who knows, maybe we will meet on the road some day. Congratulations on finishing up your training and getting out of this freaking cold and snow.

Best of Luck to you.

Yesterday I was so stressed out over my poor shifting performance that it frayed my nerves. Today it all came together like turning on a switch. It was pretty funny at first, I actually didn't know how to act without hearing that grind grind grind when shifting gears. Now there were some set backs later in the day when we hit the city streets for the first time. We all regressed a little bit due to the stress of being on the road with other vehicles and people for the first time but we now know we have what it takes to get it done. We still need a lot more practice but it's really a relief knowing all we need is more time with our asses in the seat. I can't say enough about our instructor Dale at Roehl's Driver Training School. He has the patience and the skills to make a driver out of just about anyone.

Thank you all for your input, I can't express how much I appreciate it. I know I'm putting excess pressure on myself. I really need this to work out. Like many Americans,my previous career in a bad economy has left me hanging by a thread financially. I really need this driving career to work out. I'm going to do my best to digest all the input you guys were so kind to provide. Tomorrow is another day, another chance to do better. Thanks again to everyone.

Day two of driver training, first day (couple of hours) with my ass in the driver seat. I've driven a manual transmission all of my adult life so I thought I would have a leg up. I could not have been more wrong. The double shifting is kicking my ass. My instinct is to push the clutch all they way in like I've done for the last 20 years. The first part of the day was the worst. I bet the tractor is 5lbs lighter due to all the gears I ground by not being fast enough clutching. Now I know I'm not the only guy struggling, some are doing worse but some are getting it a lot sooner than me and it's really bringing me down. Shifting wasn't something I thought would be a huge roadblock but it has me questioning my decision to drive. Some times I'm smooth as silk getting it in the next gear, others it's like I have no clue what I'm doing. It's literally been a couple of hours of actual driving time but I'm still beating myself up for not having it mastered. My nerves are little frayed.

Congrats Patrick on coming on board. I just finished week 2. We tested and all passed our CDL exams today. If your coming in this Monday hit me up. I got another week here.

Congrats PJ, I'll be there Monday, or maybe even Sunday night, I'm not sure yet ? I'm only an 1 1/2 hrs away so I might wait until Mon morning to drive down. Best of luck with your final week.

Thank You Brett. Like I mentioned I'm just starting out and I'm very anxious/excited to get going. I guess I totally spaced on clarifying my question. I was really happy to see the link you provided about Roehl's Driver Training School. I felt much better after reading your assessment. I also have to say thanks for the High Road CDL training course. I positively crushed it when taking my written test. The guy at the DMV was totally impressed that I passed all three of my tests the first try and with such a high score. I told him all about your site. So thanks again, I couldn't have done it without you.