Comments By Mini Me

Scratch2Win. I can in no way give you any advice about this career. I am just starting out with my first company next month. However I can tell you that the high road is the only testing or training material I used before going to the dmv to test for my learners. I passed without a problem the first time. So study the high road and use the training material provided and you should have no issues when you go to test for your learners permit. This is just my humble opinion, but it's the route I used and it worked flawlessly. Good luck and welcome.

Thank you all. I appreciate all of the well wishes

Today I passed all three portions (or trifected) for my CDL test. I am now officially licensed....woo hoo.

Thank you to all that answered my questions and helped guide me through this. The parallel was my enemy until I received the great advice here about looking for reference points. It truly was a game changer for me. Last week I couldn't back in the parallel box consistently, today I backed in without using a pull up. So again thank you all.

Now the real fun starts. Orientation, training and then driving across this beautiful country of ours. I can't wait.

Thank you for the advice. I'm currently at lunch, so half a day using the techniques. The first 2 parallels, 1 on each side I used for gauging and looking for the landing gear. And using a few pull ups. The final 4, two on each side were much better. In the box every time using only 1 pull up. The looking for reference points is a life saver. Again thank you.

Susan and Rainy thank you both for the advice. I will apply them today, and hopefully consistently get it in the box.

Phishtech--Unfortunately for me i found this website just a little too late to take the advice of going to a company sponsored school. So I'm in a private school. Here's a breakdown:

1. Come to school with your learners 2. Class room- here's a book read it 3. You're shown each maneuver once. by an instructor. Then it's up to you. to figure it out. Literally no. instruction after being shown. 4. On the road with a road trainer 5. Learn your Pretrip with a book

The only time I've had consistently with a trainer is on the road. Other than that it's a learn on your own situation. It may be different in other locations or schools, but this is my experience so far. However I will get my CDL and move on to a great career.

From a student to anyone considering a career. Take the advice of the many experienced drivers and moderators here. Go to a company sponsored school.

So I'm in the last week of my cdl school and i am having trouble performing the parallel back. Any ideas or helpful tips would be greatly appreciated.

Steve L--I am actively applying and looking through the offers. I was just thinking i could use the extra time finishing school to make a better informed decision. But the problem is i can't really find a "bad" choice. That's a great "problem" to have in my humble opinion.

Simon--Thank you fur the insight. And as far a the 8/2 split, you're funny. I've got to learn to shift these machines first. Well down shifting is my biggest hurdle, but I'll get it.

Really though that's more great advice. I was wondering where you would use the split to your benefit. Now i understand.

Thank you all for replying. Once i finish up school it's going to be a tough decision. And I'm sure that's when the majority of my questions will arise. I will keep you updated on the route i follow and look forward to learning from you all.

Old School---Actually it was you who gave me the advice to steer clear of tanker in the beginning. So for that piece of advice I thank you.

But it all reality i had no idea it would be so hard to pick a company. At least for me it's like being a kid on Christmas morning. Which one to pick. I'm not looking for a special gem, to me there's just so many great options to choose from.

I'm definitely not closed off to any aspect of this. It's all brand new to me. So I'm open to learn any and all aspects of this career. Im just leaning more towards pulling dry van freight. Truthfully I haven't given flatbed a thought, I figured I was too old or maybe just too tired to give it a shot.