Advice For A New Cdl Student
Topic 19354 | Page 1
Get to know experienced drivers and get their phone numbers. Stupid everyday situations arise with rookies that they won't be prepared for. Training can only prepare you for so much.
I learned so much more after training and from drivers I met in the terminal. If you can't get the handle to release on your fifth wheel dispatch will not be able to tell you, and road assist will want to send a tech out. Call a driver who can tell you there is too much pressure and to rock the truck forward and back to relieve it.
That sort of thing.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Tony, if you haven't gone through our Truck Driver's Career Guide there's a ton of great stuff there. It's like 72 pages long and we've broken it down into chapters. For your situation you'll find:
- Chapter 5: Attending CDL School And Preparing For The Driving Exam
- Chapter 8: Orientation And Training With Your First Company
- Chapter 9: Surviving The First Year Of Your Trucking Career
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
The biggest tip that I can give you is simple, but somehow extremely complicated. TAKE YOUR TIME! Especially when it comes to backing. There are a lot of veterans out there who for some reason don't understand this concept. It's not a race, don't be afraid to GOAL or ask for help; as long as you don't hit anything, chalk it up in the win column.
Unholychaos wrote:
The biggest tip that I can give you is simple, but somehow extremely complicated. TAKE YOU TIME! Especially when it comes to backing. There are a lot of veterans out there who for some reason don't understand this concept. It's not a race, don't be afraid to GOAL or ask for help; as long as you don't hit anything, chalk it up in the win column.
I agree with UHC in part, take your time, all the time, don't ever allow the chaos of the moment influence common sense and better judgement.
The idea that veterans don't understand the concept of taking one's time is a blanket statement. Setting up and performing a backing maneuver in short order doesn't mean a veteran is rushing or being unsafe. Just means they have developed skill and proficiency from hundreds, perhaps thousands of repetitions.
I back up to 7 times over the course of a 12-14 hour shift. Although I don't rush, my ability to perform depends on highly efficient backing skills. Doesn't mean I am rushing...
G Town...I think he means some drivers forget what it is like being new and try to rush the rookie. Blaring horns and giving finger gestures to a slow backer happens..buy more often than not a driver will spot you.
G Town...I think he means some drivers forget what it is like being new and try to rush the rookie. Blaring horns and giving finger gestures to a slow backer happens..buy more often than not a driver will spot you.
Yeah that... I've been hollered at many times on the CB for taking forever, I only assume they're a veteran who believes rookies are the scum of the industry. No offense intended.
G Town...I think he means some drivers forget what it is like being new and try to rush the rookie. Blaring horns and giving finger gestures to a slow backer happens..buy more often than not a driver will spot you.
Sorry, that's not how I interpreted it. I have only witnessed horn blaring and bird shooting a few times, I think it's the exception rather than the rule.
I won't spot, however I will help and on several occasions (at the WM DC) suggested dropping back for a punt to re-establish a better setup. If the setup is a mess, the backing will mirror the same.
This is a personal peeve of mine, so little focus during road training is invested in the correct setup. In fact to me the true purpose of the GOAL is to figure that out the situation BEFORE executing the setup. This has saved me much @backing" grief over the years. Unholychaos (UHC) mentioned this very concept in another thread about delivering to Home Depot. Kudos UHC, great advice! I deal with similar circumstances delivering to Walmart. I never know what to expect...
I was wondering if some of you would share some ideas and advice that you've learned to help you get through each day situations over the road and lifestyle in the industry that have helped you . I leave for academy training on Sunday and just like some first person insight on things
I'm getting ready with Calex . Does anyone have any information to help me out
Over The Road:
Over The Road
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.
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I was wondering if some of you would share some ideas and advice that you've learned to help you get through each day situations over the road and lifestyle in the industry that have helped you . I leave for academy training on Sunday and just like some first person insight on things
Over The Road:
Over The Road
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.