Comments By Rockin' Rick

Failed my test a second time. Over correcting led to my tire going out of bounds.

Testing again, Monday, weather permitting.

I certainly hope so.

Daughter's wedding was yesterday...I'm broke! LOL. Family is helping us get by with my main concern being getting rescheduled for my test, now that the weather has passed, and second concern is having the gas money to get there. Honestly, once in get the time scheduled I'll start walking, or be ready to walk back if either is necessary!

My tests all went fine. Finished with a 94 average.

I failed my 90-degree alley docking during my state exam. They rescheduled me for Thursday...that was cancelled due to ten inches of snow on the test route and am impassable parking lot. TDI is working hard to get my class, last weeks class and the group that is supposed to test next week taken care of ASAP. The folks scheduled to test this week will have to wait, anyway, because they weren't able to get their three-year motor vehicle records (MVR) from the highway department as they were also closed due to the weather.

If I can raise the gas money, I'll drive up to Richburg Monday and get some hours of practice on the test pad, backin' her up!

Stay safe (and warm)! Rick

Training is complete. Next step is to pass the on-site state CDL exam. I give that a shot Thursday.

Thanks for your service!

I'm a vet also. I recommend that you file your VA paperwork as soon as it's legal to do so. I got out in '08 and was able to get my disability decision and benefits squared away rather quickly. I had to go to the local VA peeps, in my county, to get the process into second gear.

On your medical...once you get your meds squared away, have your Doc give you a preliminary DOT physical to make sure you are squared away. Then, have him write you a letter they call a DMR: Doctor's Medical Release. My Doc typed one up and included a list of my meds. That's exactly what I needed. During the physical, they will go over your history and your DMR, then have you do some minor exercises including jogging in place to get your heart rate up. That was the jarring part of that process. Expect to take. DOT physical at the school and then for which ever company you choose.

Best of luck during your transition!

Rick

Week 3. Thursday

Two more days! We are piled in the classroom waiting for class to start. The snow kept us off the highway yesterday so we, the six of us, are looking forward to again hittin the highway.

The snow and ice changed up our schedule. We tested on our PTI yesterday and we all passed. We then had time to practice alley docking. I finally got the hang of it with the help of J.B., another one of our driving instructors. I have been able to get the trailer in the box straight as an arrow...then I was stuck. I've been trying to do it the way our first instructor showed us...by putting it all the way to the dock without having to pull up. He made it look so easy I didn't consider any other way. JB introduced me to the idea of pulling up and straightening the the trailer and then straight line backing it in. I kinda felt stupid, but easy solutions are always welcome and I got over myself and put it right in there! What a great feeling...

I have to get my night driving hours in tonight. The guys and I are trying to figure where we can go, get something good to eat, and then work our way back. Rumor has it that we will be in three trucks today instead of two. I'm sure the schedule rearrangement has something to do with that rumor and the kernel of truth at its center. Three trucks would allow us to stay out for 8 hours instead of twelve. But we can cover a lot of turf in eight hours

Tomorrow, we take our final test for the school: the road skills test comprised of alley docking, serpentine, stop box, and straight line backing. They have it set up so that it's all one maneuver on the pad in front of the school, here on SC Hwy 9. Once we pass that, we get our blue envelope which we can't open until we hand it to the folks at the DMV, so they can open it. They'll then schedule us to come back next week to see Bobby, our on-site examiner who will administer the actual state of SC CDL test. I stand corrected...we don't get that blue envelope until Bobby gives us his blessing...better than last rites; that's how nervous I am about that final exam.

Y'all stay safe and stay warm, Rick

Week 3 Tuesday

This is day four of our road training. Because of an impending snow storm on the way here to north central South Carolina, our instructor gave us the option of taking our road test today. I passed mine on the first try, thank the Lord.

My shifting in this old Freightliner owned me until yesterday. As we headed to lunch in Myrtle Beach, I started using a mantra that I used in Army basic training: click, click, boom. Getting that rhythm in my mind helped me get the double clutch beat, so to speak. It reminded me to stop flooring the clutch as if I were shifting a car five speed. It also reminded me to breathe and stop fighting the truck. I was rushing myself when taking off from a red light, trying to keep up with the pack as if I were in my old Maverick! Click click boom, and I crushed that test.

The snow is hitting most of SC right now. We have been in a slot between the snow fronts. It looks though like the back end of that atmospheric cul de sac is about to catch us. My partner and I plan to get our night driving in...and we should be able to get some of it in before we have to head back to the barn.

Y'all be safe!

Rick

Glad I could help, PC!

They had a pizza party Friday as the seniors, week 3 guys and gals, graduated and received their blue envelopes containing their diplomas and loan paperwork, if applicable. They all had passed their road test, their skills test, and Thursday morning passed their pre-trip inspection test; the whole class scored 94 or 95 out of a possible 95 points! They also received an appointment to come back and take the final exam, so to speak. South Carolina law mandates that CDL students have to wait 48 hours from graduating, at 5:30 pm Friday, to take their state road test, driving skills and PTI tests. The schools CDL examiner, Bobby, said it takes about three hours to give each student their tests.

Hi Old School!

I will definitely heed your, and Brett's advice! I plan to learn as much as I can over the next year or so before I jump into that world. My TDI instructor, Jeff, has described to me and my classmates what it was like for him as an owner-operator and the expenses that go along with it. While we were out today on our second day on the road, he took us by a couple of truck stops and showed us some of those magazines listing a bunch of the companies looking for experienced drivers and one that was full of tractors for sale. A few of the lots were full of trucks as you mentioned were most likely returned leased trucks. I'm sure there is a smart way to venture into that business world. If there is, I may try it. And I know that I can be a trainer as a company driver, too.

I had a much better day double-clutching this afternoon. I still tend to get into a rush, fight the truck, and lost that battle every time!

Congrats, CJ!

I got out on the road for the first time with my class... It was awesome!

Can't wait to reach where you are and move life into the next gear!