YER NOT GONNA BELIEVE...
Topic 25936 | Page 2
Errol testified:
I'll let you know, manual shifting is like the ol' bicycle thing - you (your muscles) don't forget that.
This is true. I learned double clutching 30 years ago to drive school buses. After a while I moved on with my life. Didn't drive anything big till I got into Swift's school five years ago. Had to sit through the double clutch basics including the Addams Family "click-click".
But when I first sat in a big rig driver's seat it all came back, just-like-that. You'll find out Monday how easy it will be, Mountain Girl!
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.
First off relax! They are probably not expecting perfection on the test just that you are safe and have the concepts down.
I agree with everything Auggie said remember to back the dolly slowly as it turns insanely quickly and is easy to jack knife if you are not carefull.
When you have your dolly lined up, make sure the outside edge of the tires and the outside edge of the trailer are lined up. I also like to look from in front of the dolly and check to see if 5th wheel opening and king pin are lined up and the front edge of the trailer is touching or just above dolly frame.
Make sure to close the dolly valve so air doesn't escape when you pressureize it.
Thanks Everyone.
I'm here at the terminal , getting ready to sign in at the gate.
We'll see how I do.
I got this.
Love ewes!
-mountain girl
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.
You got this, mountain girl!
We’re dying for an update....?
ERMERGERD!
IT WAS AWESOME! Omg, I forgot how wonderful it is to drive a manual 10 speed!
If nothing else, testing at the company where I first started and actually seeing the difference between my skills now and my skills five years ago was a major confidence boost. The trainer/tester said I was a "really good driver."
How can his set was not a problem at all. I remembered almost everything. Driving a manual was just like old school sake. Like riding a bike. by the time I had driven around the yard one time I already had it down. I alternated swing floating and double shifting, wherever it was comfortable and I had no problems driving in rush hour traffic with a set of doubles.
I got a second interview right on the spot. The terminal manager made me talk about Old Dominion quite a bit, which was really painful actually because I had so many boo-boos that company that got me fired. But there are no secrets now. They know everything about me, professionally. He had such a strong poker face that I couldn't tell whether he was interested in hiring me or not, but the trainer loved me. I did point out to the terminal manager that since Old Dominion, I have had over three hundred and sixty thousand miles a good road and a perfect driving record. Okay nearly perfect.
And I still love the culture there at XPO.
So, we'll see.
I'm in the yard at work right now. I have to go. Thank you everyone. I could not have done this without your vote of confidence.
--mountain girl
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.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
And thanks Errol. I will look you all up if I'm in the area!
Still haven't heard back yet, but that's not a bad thing. They haven't said "no" so I can wait.
-mountain girl
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
This topic has the following tags:
ODFL Linehaul LTL Driving Truck Driving Stories
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
I didn't go into great detail about the entire process since you've done it before :)
Two common issues you may forget:
1. If the dolly is hard to move make sure you dump the air out of it
2. Make sure the heaviest trailer is your lead
I remember your first year when you had a ding or two and were down in the dumps. Glad to see you stuck it out and are doing very well! I was following YOU when I was trying to get into doing this.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated