I PASSED At Smith & Solomon In Philadelphia

When I went to school I almost quit because of my shifting, other people where doing better than me (or so I thought) I kept killing it in intersections, I thought I was the worst shifter in the history of shifting. Then one day when I was practicing for the road test we got back to the yard and the instructor asked me if I noticed anything during that trip, no grinding or stall it magically all clicked.

Now almost 2 years later I am ranked in the top 200 for drivers out of around 5k, based on how Old Dominion scores our shifting.

If I can do it anyone can. Enough of that lame story Congratulations!!! 1 step in the long journey.

Congrats! I also got my CDL at S&S. And I drive for Werner. Not yet 100% automatic, I had a manual for about 5 months earlier this year. They recently gave me an automatic. In some ways, I like the manual better, particularly when backing into a dock. But I don't miss it in heavy traffic. Good luck and drive safe! Might see you out there sometime.

I passed my CDL exam today! I failed to manage the maneuvers at Trainco in July and quit on the last day (two-week course 120 hours total) because I was nowhere near managing the manuevers. I kept going and went through Smith & Solomon in Philadelphia. I qualified on an automatic. I mentioned back in August the I "could not" learn to shift a 10 speed. Some people can and some can't. Why go through the difficulty and frustration when all the companies I am applying to have mostly or all automatics anyway (Werner Enterprises is now 100% auto, Schneider at least 70%, US Xpress either all auto or transitiong their fleet to auto. Werner spenty $500 Million to switch.) Auto is the way of the future. No clutches to replace and manual keeps people from pursuing the life.

I went to Smith & Solomon in Philly and I could not be happier. all the instructors guided me through the program to achieve my CDL. There are many schools out there, but very few care about your education and your future as a driver, as they do. Kiki, Vanessa, Lydia and all the instructors were very motivating while I was in school.

Also now you graduated you will relate to my experience, being a smith and solomon graduate has open many doors for me. When people (recruiters) ask me where I got my CDL they know Smith and Solomon driver training curriculum.

Good luck to you!

Bill S. wrote:

No clutches to replace and manual keeps people from pursuing the life.

Oh contrare’...

These transmissions are not an “automatic” as you know, found in a light vehicle, they are “auto-shift”, meaning their is a computerized electronic “clutch” that utilizes air to upshift and downshift the gears.

And as far as Smith & Solomon? Yes a good school, however your CDL is no more or less valuable than someone attending a Paid CDL Training Program or some other school.

They all teach basic skills required to pass the CDL tests, that’s it. The real learning (and reality) occurs during road-training and OJT once upgraded to first seat status.

Yes and my clutch actuary was just replaced today. it sucked cause i was stuck in Neutral but at least i was already at the terminal. Had to be towed to dealer. but 24 hrs later and im rolling rolling rolling.