CDL School Update

Wow. I know that I said that I was going to keep you guys (and gals, too!) updated as I went through school, and my intentions were the best, but boy oh boy did I almost bite off more than I could chew.

I got a bicycle, rode it for two weeks, then a friend of mine msgd me on facebook that he had a '90 Ford Ranger that he'd let me have for the price of the two new mud tires on the back. And I don't have to pay him back any time soon, so now I have a vehicle, making it ALOT easier on my sleep time.

I'm working full-time, on 3rd shift, as a maintenance tech at a place that makes glass windows from plate. Real interesting, but the shift was tearing me up for the last couple of days. It'll get better now that at least some money is coming in.

And now to the crowning achievement, credit for which I just have to say must go to this site and the High Road CDL Training Materials. This last Tuesday, I took my final exam (bookwork only) and scored a 91% !!!!! Thanks, Brett, I've mentioned your site to everyone that I've seen up in class.

Now that that's over, I have 5 weeks of driving with an instructor, and then down to the DMV to take my driving test. I've been practicing alot on the simulator, as much time as I could get, and I think I'll do ok. I'm painfully aware that the simulator is NOT like the real thing, but this last monday I ran the entire "course" of road driving, in Reverse, and I think I've finally got the hang of it. "If it's going to the left, steer to the left, same for the right." After about 20 miles in reverse, I think I can actually do it in a rig. Without hitting anything or anybody. But that first time I'm going to be a little nervous, lol.

I only have internet when visiting mcdonalds or briefly at school, but I will TRY to let everyone know what I'm doing now that the "worst" is over (PLEASE, don't anyone say that it gets worse from here ).

Thanks again to Mr. Brett for his excellent course, of which I still probably could use to do the pre-trip inspection study with, but I've been working on that, too, and I think I've got it mostly down, it really is just a matter of a little memorization.

Sincerely, Mike Kashkin Salina (Wichita Truck Driving School), Kansas

Congratulations Michael! It's sure good to hear from you, every once in a while some of you guys come to mind and I wonder "how's that person coming along?". I know you've made some real sacrifices and gotten over some high hurdles to get where you are right now, and I admire your tenacity!

You're going to have a real sense of accomplishment when you get this thing over with, and even then you're just going to be getting started on another whole new set of challenges, but you are going to be getting paid for your troubles then. Hopefully you can bring your wife with you in a short amount of time, and that should make all the sacrifices that you've both made well worth it.

Keep up the good work, and enjoy your time learning to handle that truck.

Oh, and by the way, I saw your question in your other thread about "floating the gears". It's simply a method of shifting gears without using the clutch. The big truck transmissions are designed for this type of shifting, but it requires a little timing and understanding about the relationship between the RPMs and the speed of the truck. Don't let that standard transmission in that Ranger mess you up, that big rig will operate in a little different fashion, but don't sweat it your instructor will help you get it figured out. The schools teach you to double clutch because that is how you have to shift for your driving test, but after you're on the road you'll only need the double clutching occasionally in specific situations.

Those big truck transmissions will shift a little differently when they are loaded versus unloaded, or going uphill versus downhill or on level roads, but it just takes a little time on the road and you'll have a great understanding of it all.

Again congratulations! You have my respect for what you've accomplished.

Hey that's awesome news about the 91% on the test. Nice! Glad our training program helped you out!

Just keep practicing that backing every chance you get. I won't tell you that this is the easiest part of the first 6 months of your career. I'll let you find out for yourself and you can tell us what you think!

Michael, I can say without a doubt, that of all the newbies that have come thru here..YOU are my favorite. WHY??? Most don't remember, but YOU went to cdl school, on a bus, with no place to stay, so you stayed at the mission, and you got a job, and walked to work, so you could eat. ....You are my opinion of a Man on a Mission. My cute little ball cap is off to you. So you got a bike, then a pickup, and a full time graveyard job. All of this while going to cdl school during the daytime. I'm way passed impressed, Michael. I have no doubt that you will make a wonderful, intelligent, polite, stand up kinda truck driver. I would be glad to have you pull your feet under my dining room table anytime. So if you get out to WA, you give me a hollar.

Michael, I can say without a doubt, that of all the newbies that have come thru here..YOU are my favorite. WHY??? Most don't remember, but YOU went to cdl school, on a bus, with no place to stay, so you stayed at the mission, and you got a job, and walked to work, so you could eat. ....You are my opinion of a Man on a Mission. My cute little ball cap is off to you. So you got a bike, then a pickup, and a full time graveyard job. All of this while going to cdl school during the daytime. I'm way passed impressed, Michael. I have no doubt that you will make a wonderful, intelligent, polite, stand up kinda truck driver. I would be glad to have you pull your feet under my dining room table anytime. So if you get out to WA, you give me a hollar.

Ah, yes, now I remember you too. I am impressed as well. BTW, who are you going to work for?