I Really Need Some Advice ☹️
Topic 22777 | Page 3
Rob, I am pulling for you. When I took my skills test, I think it was a total of 12 points combined to lose for all three maneuvers. I got through straight back and offset with no points. I had them all for my final maneuver. I got alley dock. When I was backing into the spot I used my first get out and saw I needed to go back as far as I could before pulling up. Knowing that I could afford a point or two and that the test administer would blow his whistle if I hit a cone or was crossing the boundary, I backed up until he blew his whistle. Then I pulled up as far as I could. At that point I was straight enough to back in. Boom! PASS! Now I have over 125,000 safe miles. You will be there too some day. Get that toy truck. Good luck.
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.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Splitter...
Rob's current, most pressing issue is having no place to practice for his test. That right now is his number one problem and something he must address and quickly before he can apply any of the great technical advice offered by you and others contributing to this thread.
Glad you like the Watch Your Wagon phrase. Not sure if I've ever seen Old School use that in a thread, perhaps.
But I sure have, and for good reason. One of the instructors at Swift's Richmond Academy constantly barked that order to students learning their turning points. It stuck with me...and to this day I think about his words numerous times, especially whenever there is an obvious reason to increase vigilance.
One of my favorite series of words to live by.
I also used it with all my students. 😁
Thanks so much G-TOWN. I'm trying to see how much the local CDL school will charge to let me practice for an hour. I'm waiting until Friday when my wife gets paid, but I'd love to try it on Saturday. That would be awesome, thanks so much.
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.
I just found a toy Hess truck in the closet that I'm going to play around with tomorrow. The wheels dont steer but it's got a trailer that articulates. Guys I'm gonna get it this time! (Now watch them give me parallel parking, lol! 😂)
It's one of three for the last maneuver. Good luck.
Yes you will get it. Remember not to rush. If I remember correctly you have 15 minutes to complete a maneuver. That's practically a ton of time. Good luck!
Thanks so much G-TOWN. I'm trying to see how much the local CDL school will charge to let me practice for an hour. I'm waiting until Friday when my wife gets paid, but I'd love to try it on Saturday. That would be awesome, thanks so much.
Okay, cool, we can tentatively plan on Saturday morning "O-Dark-Thirty". I'll request a shorter run with lots of stops...usually they are available on a Saturday morning.
Once I'm settled and in front of my laptop, I'll send you my SpamGourmet email address to work out logistics and the rider policy.
Look for that later today or first thing tomorrow.
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.
Awesome, thanks a lot.
Damn, G-Town...
I'm telling ya, this website and its community... Just breathtaking, sometimes.
* * *
As a side note, I failed my backing twice and my road test three times. And when I finally nailed 'em all, I got the same CDL they gave the folks that passed on the first try.
Nothing worth having comes easy, brother. One day you WILL look back at this time and laugh (as long as you stick it out now.) And you will also feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment.
Best of luck, Rob!
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.
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.
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Rob if you think it will help, you can ride with me next Friday or Saturday. Unfortunately I can't let you drive but I'll back the beast as many times as necessary in difficult spots (like Rainy's driveway), to the point of botching the setup to show you how-to recover. Teaching you how-to setup might also help (most schools overlook this) Observing and talking through things is better than doing nothing.
Might be short notice, best I can offer at this point. Just let me know...I'll send you my SpamGourmet email address.