Help Need Advice ASAP!
Topic 14309 | Page 1
You've been in school for a week, plus 6 days on a tractor? How can you "forget" everything? I can understand the "too slow", since you're new.
How is the steering part of your driving? Can you keep between the lines? That's not a stupid question. In a big truck, the traffic lines seem closer together.
How much practice did you get with double clutching before you started driving? Are you able to watch other students when you're not in the driver's seat?
Ask your instructor to not yell, since it gets you flustered. Each time you shift, focus on just that - try to improve from last time, but don't focus on the mistake so much.
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Double Clutching:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
What school is this? I certainly don't think yelling is the way to teach ANYTHING. Sorry to hear a story like this. I am currently at Swift Phoenix, and not a single instructor has raised their voice to anyone. Very helpful and patient with all students. we all learn at different rates and levels!
Not everyone trains the same, find one you like and push to get them in your corner, at the end of the day you are still responsible for getting the training you need, make your needs known, call them out on the limited time frame and abrasive learning atmosphere. Than keep trying your hardest to show improvements, no matter how small, this is what you build on till you succeed, if they put you on a bus, find another school, you passed all the criteria to get there, someone else will give you a shot. My wife went thru 2 schools in this manner. She hated the first and loved the second, completely different methodology. Just don't give up on yourself. :)
You've been in school for a week, plus 6 days on a tractor? How can you "forget" everything? I can understand the "too slow", since you're new. I didn't forget everything I just couldn't time it right once out on the side roads, interstate was easy though. How is the steering part of your driving? I do really well with the steering part. Can you keep between the lines? Yes and even kept it off the dirt going around tight curves and corner's. That's not a stupid question. In a big truck, the traffic lines seem closer together. How much practice did you get with double clutching before you started driving? Absolutely none. Are you able to watch other students when you're not in the driver's seat? I did have one student to ride with and he did pretty good especially since he was from Africa. Ask your instructor to not yell, since it gets you flustered. I did but he couldn't stop and almost hit my classmate yesterday. Each time you shift, focus on just that - try to improve from last time, but don't focus on the mistake so much.
Long story short I quit because the trainer got worse and I couldn't stop being so scared, I didn't feel comfortable enough to go out to the interstates up and down the on and off ramps plus get up to speed and watch for other traffic while my trainer is screaming the whole time. I know the truck is 80,000 by itself and it was an empty trailer so the thought of it being full with not enough experience was just too much for me.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Double Clutching:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
What school is this? I certainly don't think yelling is the way to teach ANYTHING. Sorry to hear a story like this. I am currently at Swift Phoenix, and not a single instructor has raised their voice to anyone. Very helpful and patient with all students. we all learn at different rates and levels!
It's in Cedar Rapids, IA and yes yelling is not the way for me to learn coming from a mom who constantly yelled instead of talking to me. Thanks so much for the encouragement! I may have to look into that school! :)
I know the truck is 80,000 by itself and it was an empty trailer so the thought of it being full with not enough experience was just too much for me.
Uhhh... This is a little bit of misinformation!
That weight of 80,000 pounds is the maximum allowable without a permit. When your trailer is empty you are no where near that weight.
Not everyone trains the same, find one you like and push to get them in your corner, at the end of the day you are still responsible for getting the training you need, make your needs known, call them out on the limited time frame and abrasive learning atmosphere. Than keep trying your hardest to show improvements, no matter how small, this is what you build on till you succeed, if they put you on a bus, find another school, you passed all the criteria to get there, someone else will give you a shot. My wife went thru 2 schools in this manner. She hated the first and loved the second, completely different methodology. Just don't give up on yourself. :)
You are so right! I ended up deciding to leave. I didn't want to be driving an 80,000 lb weapon not being able to focus on what I need to when the trainer is screaming at me. I am waiting for an application from another school here in Iowa it is like 3 hours away and will have to find a temp home for my dog but the class is for 9 weeks and if I need more than I need more and they are willing to help! It's a private school so that I won't be locked into a contract, plus there is a 290 internship with the co of my choice.
I know the truck is 80,000 by itself and it was an empty trailer so the thought of it being full with not enough experience was just too much for me.
Uhhh... This is a little bit of misinformation!
That weight of 80,000 pounds is the maximum allowable without a permit. When your trailer is empty you are no where near that weight.
Oops, thanks for that! :-P
Which school is that in Cedar Rapids, Iowa? Those that basically yell and curse at you for not being able to "grasp the concept" should not be trainers in the first place to me, trainers need to have patience because we're just lowly trainees who are just trying to learn in this new world.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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So I started class last week, never been in a tractor/trailer before other than a rider twice, I got consistently yelled at about double shifting and not getting the gears. All the while, the trainer was texting and messaging on facebook and barely lifted his head from it. This week I got a different trainer and he made more sense to me, however as I went out on the road yesterday and today, I forgot everything they were telling me or if I remembered, it wasn't good enough or fast enough. This is only my 6th day in the tractor, but today I was given until Friday to get it together... Help
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.