Comments By DC

Well, today is Wednesday, I have my trainer and we've spoken, he will be in town on Friday, and we will chat about getting on the road.

Are there any techies that know the best way to get internet while on the road? I've looked briefly at BPL modems, but not sure if that is the way to go, other than using cell phone as a through-way.

Curious what some of you may have out there.

I have no clue what to expect, but I'm ready for this new adventure.

It's great that you're ready, but not so great that you "have no clue what to expect." DC, we've got a whole section of our website devoted to newbies telling of their orientation and training experiences. We put a lot of information together to help you guys know what you're getting into. We can't spoon feed you though. You've got to put in some effort to educate yourself. Going into something complex like trucking requires a high level of preparation.

I forgot, when writing, one must explain themselves explicitly, or they won't be understood properly. I've been through the website from top to bottom, thank you for reminding me. I was just referring to details, LOL interesting how we all communicate differently.

I start orientation with Prime in about 50 minutes.

I have no clue what to expect, but I'm ready for this new adventure.

I will update as I go along.

DC

My issue quickly became a non-issue as I drew blind side parallel on the next test. I passed that with no points. The previous day I did about a dozen alley docks with no issues either, only using a couple pull ups on each dock.

So, I've passed my CDL A, now on to locate employment.

Thank you for the responses.

DC

I'm in CDL school, and was taught backing maneuvers, and went to test for my CDL. During the test, I got past the Pre-Trip, AirBrake, Backing, Offset, and drew Alley Dock.

When I pulled up to set my truck up to begin, I attempted to walk to the back of my trailer to eyeball to see if I had pulled too far forward, I thought I had, but was told that I could not walk to the back of the trailer. After I started my maneuver and used a get out, to check my position, I was whistled for walking to the rear of the trailer. Why on earth would a person not be allowed to check all around the trailer to make sure no obstructions or people in the way? I was definitely not stepping anything off, or measuring, because that is not allowed. Flustered, I got back in the cab and attempted to sight back into the dock, albeit not very well, as I got timed out on the exercise, just as I got my tandems in position to clear the front cone and back into the dock.

My instructors told me that it is perfectly legal in the state of Missouri to walk around the truck and trailer during a backing maneuver, and I believe I read that in the state CDL manual. Has anyone else experienced anything like this during a CDL test?

I go back to retest in a couple of days and I just have a feeling I'm gonna draw alley dock again, and I'm assuming as a permit holder with not a lot of experience, I'm gonna have to sight back into the dock, which I haven't practiced at all.

Does anyone have any tips for negotiating this, that might aid me in successfully completing the exercise without getting timed out again?