Start FFE Tommorow

Hey guys I start FFE tomorrow, looking forward to it. I will let you guys know how it goes. Im pretty pumped up for it and ready to start a new career. Before I got started I met personally with my recruiter and got about a 30 page homework packet that covered every part of the CDL exam. I already have a texas permit but I completed the homework anyway.. I also downloaded the Trucker Truth app for CDL study guide on my android and some free CDL flash cards. In addition I watched hours of you tube videos by the "CDL professor" covering CDL topics and went over hours of pre and post trip procedures. I also contacted some senior truckers for the company and got some good advice as far as backing and other tips... Anyway tomorrow is day 1... see you guys

David, Congrats!!!! Looking forward to following your journey. A few others will too that are considering FFE I 'm sure. Nothing better than to have boots on the ground to gain valuable information and insight. Best wishes too you sir

If you have the permit you still have three written tests left. You still need to do the General Knowledge, Pre-Trip Test (Chapter 11), and Air Brake Test.

Last week, I passed the Combination Vehicle Test and the Texas Special Requirements Test (Chapter 14) and got the Temporal Permit.

When I start the FFE Academy 1 September 2014, I will need to take the above three tests and then do the practical training.

Congratulation anyways.

Today, I will have my last interview on the phone with an FFE recruiter. If I pass that, I will begin September 1, 2014.

DUDE take all your tests before you go... !! Well it was my first day first let me say FFE/KLLM is professional meaning they don't play around we had a warm welcome by watching a graduating class and in my humble opinion for a school that is TRULY FREE ( one year and you nothing nada, squat) its a pretty good outfit. Besides smdh at some of the immature co students in the class, its been a lot of fun. First day paperwork, physical paperwork...: Make sure you have your meds your worko history everything. I have a backpack with my life history in it so I was well prepared. The days are LONG 0700 on the nose to about 1800 for 18 days no stopping.... BE prepared to be serious and get down. no playing they are serious about driving trucks, serious about passing tests and serious about you getting on the road. I had to laulgh when folks were talking about going home, needing time off etc . Also Trucking truth CDL prep!! Study that study it study it study it.. KLLM gives you loads of homework I got a pile right now.... Im commuting 60 miles per day but I did see the accomodatiions , clean daily made service, washer dryer all the things you need. It is dormitory stye but hey what the heck,. The instructors are professional serious and the course is really fast pace...Ive learned quite a few things already. What I like most about my instructor is that he is not teaching us just to pass the test but to save our life on the road that was impressive... Sorry its so short I need to study!!

At my DMV in El Paso, they told me that I just needed to pass the Combination Vehicle Test and the Texas Special Requirements Test in order to get the Temporal Permit. They also told me that the other three exams are part of the actual CDL testing. At your DMV (Texas Department of Public Safety), did they tell you the same thing? The test costed $11 USD. I guess it was only for the Class A Permit?

I would like to know how much do I pay for the other written tests? How long can I wait until I do the Skills Tests?

I think I am well prepared. I have been taking the Trucking Truth High Road Practice Tests and TheTruckerReport Practice Tests. Right now, one get 100% everytime I take a test.

1. The clerk from the DMV told me that I should have an eye exam before I begin with the CDL Licence Testing. She suggested not to go to the academy before doing that. Therefore, as soon I get the green light to come to Forth Worth, I will do the eye exam and get my glasses.

2. Then I will pass all the written tests that are still to be passed.

3. I am still working on gathering all the important documents. I prefer to have too much than to less.

4. That is why I chose September 1 to be the first day. I want to have some time to prepare.

The first background check is important, but the second background check during orientation is going to be more rigorous and I learned from a youtube video that some who passed the first background check did not pass the second because of conflicting information or information that did not match.

Honesty is the key. Also etiquette is very important. According to the same youtube video, 48 started in the beginning, but only 18 made it to Orientation, but after the Orientation there were only 14 left. Most of the time people are sent home because they did not prepare at home (written tests/documents), but others were sent home because they had a bad attitude.

I try to prepare as much as possible. I already practice downshifting and double clutching in my bed.

I watch tons of youtube videos about how not to drive. I watch detailed pre-trip inspection.

In my office I pretend to be inside the cap. I practice the in-cab inspection and the static air brake tests. I made myself a list of parts of the engine, the steering systems, the suspension systems, the braking system etc. I try not just to be able to name the items and know what they are for, but I want to understand the system in detail. In the beginning the inspection part was the most difficult for me, because I am not a person who was ever interested in mechanics and technique. However, the more often I learn the parts of the truck the more interesting it becomes. I love to learn how the different systems work. Maybe, someday I will be a mechanic. Who knows.

Trucking and pre-trip inspection has already become a hobby for me and I hope that this hobby soon turns into a professional career.

Probably, when I arrive you will be at your orientation or even starting your Phase II Training.

Please, tell about the Obstacle Course as soon as you are done with it.

I also take a bunch of ginger gum with me. Ginger is a way that helps me calming down.

Forget the clerk im telling you so you can get on that truck faster is to pass all 5 right now, you just go up there and pay for all the extra test.. The skills test ? If you are coming to FFE then take all the written test first, This is coming from someone who is in their CDL school right now. I took only the first two and I regret it. Im having fun but I could be on that truck right now instead of doing a bunch of paperwork. Either way.. just take the tests. GEt air brakes knocked out, get pretrip knocked out and general knowledge u can do all this right now... If you need to contact me privately hit me up...

Anyway Day 2 was more studying and cramming we had about half the class show up 2 hours late. Again the ffe staff is going out of there way to take care of these folks.. Kids SMDH... anyway nothing eventful. .I finish taking my exams tomorrow and then on to the trucks.. All the trucks we are working on are absolutely brand spanking new!!!!

At my DMV in El Paso, they told me that I just needed to pass the Combination Vehicle Test and the Texas Special Requirements Test in order to get the Temporal Permit. They also told me that the other three exams are part of the actual CDL testing. At your DMV (Texas Department of Public Safety), did they tell you the same thing? The test costed $11 USD. I guess it was only for the Class A Permit?

I would like to know how much do I pay for the other written tests? How long can I wait until I do the Skills Tests?

I think I am well prepared. I have been taking the Trucking Truth High Road Practice Tests and TheTruckerReport Practice Tests. Right now, one get 100% everytime I take a test.

1. The clerk from the DMV told me that I should have an eye exam before I begin with the CDL Licence Testing. She suggested not to go to the academy before doing that. Therefore, as soon I get the green light to come to Forth Worth, I will do the eye exam and get my glasses.

2. Then I will pass all the written tests that are still to be passed.

3. I am still working on gathering all the important documents. I prefer to have too much than to less.

4. That is why I chose September 1 to be the first day. I want to have some time to prepare.

The first background check is important, but the second background check during orientation is going to be more rigorous and I learned from a youtube video that some who passed the first background check did not pass the second because of conflicting information or information that did not match.

Honesty is the key. Also etiquette is very important. According to the same youtube video, 48 started in the beginning, but only 18 made it to Orientation, but after the Orientation there were only 14 left. Most of the time people are sent home because they did not prepare at home (written tests/documents), but others were sent home because they had a bad attitude.

I try to prepare as much as possible. I already practice downshifting and double clutching in my bed.

I watch tons of youtube videos about how not to drive. I watch detailed pre-trip inspection.

In my office I pretend to be inside the cap. I practice the in-cab inspection and the static air brake tests. I made myself a list of parts of the engine, the steering systems, the suspension systems, the braking system etc. I try not just to be able to name the items and know what they are for, but I want to understand the system in detail. In the beginning the inspection part was the most difficult for me, because I am not a person who was ever interested in mechanics and technique. However, the more often I learn the parts of the truck the more interesting it becomes. I love to learn how the different systems work. Maybe, someday I will be a mechanic. Who knows.

Trucking and pre-trip inspection has already become a hobby for me and I hope that this hobby soon turns into a professional career.

Probably, when I arrive you will be at your orientation or even starting your Phase II Training.

Please, tell about the Obstacle Course as soon as you are done with it.

I am going to begin the 8th of September, because there will be a holiday on the 1 September.

As soon as I am done with the eye exam and have my glasses, I take all the written exams. My goal is to get the tanker position in the oilfields. I am not sure when I am going to do the tanker endorsement.

Congrats guys . I was wondering bout the sept 1 date. David are you guys at the main terminal in lancaster or off site. They may be sending me that way to keep me moving for the weekend. If so if it times out good would be great to meet you. I had a heart to heart with my fm after last weekend. I pickup in NC tomorrow and head to AL. Freight is harder to get so they are looking at sending me over to MS to grab a load west.