Glad to hear u enjoying the new career. Downshifting was tough on me when I began to learn it. Some people go according to the speed some to the tachometer. When I was in CDL school my teacher Doug taught me to go with the speed to. Whom with as u become a more experienced driver u will feel it and start to go off ur tachometer. U got to be at the right speed in order to be able to downshift correctly. Although experienced drivers will say I'm wrong. For new drivers like myself I will stick to this method because I'm comfortable with it. Be safe OTR. You will eventually get the hang of it ✌🏼️
Hello all
I'm in week 3 of CDL training at Wil-Trans. I am brand spanking new to Trucking. I'm 47 and spent 28 years in EMS. While I love being a Paramedic it was time for a change.
I have nothing but good to say about Wil-Trans. From the very first contact with my recruiter, Adam, through classroom training with Kem & Justin. I lucked out with my Trainer Jody! He is experienced and an amazing teacher & coach.
I have to admit that I was extremely nervous as I hit the road for the first time hauling my first load.
While I've improved in a lot of areas, I am struggling with consistently down shifting efficiently. I know I will get better and I get frustrated some with myself at times (I'm always the hardest on myself).
I have learned so much from reading the posts on here, the emails with tips & articles. The training section on here is AMAZING!!!
I look forward to continuing to learn more & hopefully become better everyday.
Thanks to everyone on here for the good tips & advice posted on so many topics
👍🏻
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.
Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.
Glad to see a Wil-Trans training diary. Good luck. Please keep us posted.
Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.
Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.
Thanks!
So far I couldn't ask for a better experience. It's been smooth sailing as far as Wil-Trans goes.
My down shifting has improved some. I will be taking the CDL driving, backing & pre trip this Wednesday the 26th. I'll be on the backing pad tomorrow & Tuesday. I should also get some road practice in, using the tractor/trailer I'll be using to test in.
I'm confident I can pass. For some reason I don't? It will be purely on me. Wil-Trans has provided excellent training in the classroom, practice pad & my 3 weeks out with my Trainer
Have my finger crossed & 🙏🏻 for Wednesday
Glad to see a Wil-Trans training diary. Good luck. Please keep us posted.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.
Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.
Just stay calm, "know" you can do it. Remember the tester is not out to get you. Good luck.
G'morning all :)
We will be heading back to Wil-Trans in Springfield today. Hopefully will get back early enough for me to get some backing practice in. Either way, I'll be burning up the backing pad tomorrow for sure.
Looking forward to getting acclimated to the truck I'll be utilizing for the CDL driving test on Wednesday.
I've studied and practiced pre-trip to the point I say "properly mounted & secure" "not cracked, bent or broken" "no abrasions, bulges or cuts" in my dreams lol
My biggest concern is my shifting on the road test. I sure haven't learned down shifting as well & as proficiently as I would have liked. I'll sure be practicing it more as well.
Luckily after a career of continued education & practical testing in EMS I've learned to manage test anxiety pretty well. So I'm not overly worried or stressing about being evaluated.
Hope all of you have a great Monday & be safe!!!
Dave
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.
Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.
Well I'm back at Wil-Trans in Springfield. We got back a day later than anticipated & at my request they moved my CDL test day to Friday. I didn't want to chance it as I lost a full day of practicing. Once again my FM Nikki, Training Director Justin were amazing. I expressed my concerns about needing the practice time & they were 110% accommodating & understanding.
So here I am back where I was a little over 3 weeks ago. Now I have over 100 hours of driving time and right at 6700 miles under my belt.
While the first 3 weeks were intense, I can't ask for better training.
So next couple of days will be Pre Trips, more backing than I can imagine & road practice.
Dave
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.
Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.
Great to hear. Good luck.
Howdy
Today is day 3 of practicing for the CDL pre trip, backing & driving. Tomorrow is showtime :)
While no means are my backing skills great, i have definitely been able to polish the skills needed to pass on the backing pad.
Once again, EVERYONE at Wil-Trans training has been amazing. Tom, Jody, Kem & Justin have all put in the effort to make sure I have all the practice, time and knowledge to pass.
Tuesday I was nervous & anxious about testing. Now I can't wait to pass this & GET BACK OUT ON THE ROAD lol. 😁
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.
Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Hello all
I'm in week 3 of CDL training at Wil-Trans. I am brand spanking new to Trucking. I'm 47 and spent 28 years in EMS. While I love being a Paramedic it was time for a change.
I have nothing but good to say about Wil-Trans. From the very first contact with my recruiter, Adam, through classroom training with Kem & Justin. I lucked out with my Trainer Jody! He is experienced and an amazing teacher & coach.
I have to admit that I was extremely nervous as I hit the road for the first time hauling my first load.
While I've improved in a lot of areas, I am struggling with consistently down shifting efficiently. I know I will get better and I get frustrated some with myself at times (I'm always the hardest on myself).
I have learned so much from reading the posts on here, the emails with tips & articles. The training section on here is AMAZING!!!
I look forward to continuing to learn more & hopefully become better everyday.
Thanks to everyone on here for the good tips & advice posted on so many topics
👍🏻
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Wil-Trans:
Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.
Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.