Beginning With Systems Transport

Well, I did it. I got my CDL. I'm now up in Spokane, WA training with System Transport. First week was orientation and first day out with the trainer was this past Monday. I went into this thinking I knew at least a little bit about how to drive a truck. Now, after 5 days on the road, I feel like a complete beginner, even an idiot at times. Missed gears. You know, "dang'it why can't I find seven, "crap RPM's just dropped" need to downshift to 5, trainer yells "splitter is still up, crunch grind crunch. Then there is the forgotten procedure on the Qualcom, screwed up the paper log (have to keep paper log for each day as practice), turned the passenger side fuel pump off before driver side was full. Oh, and all the new procedures with securement, tarps, straps, chains, load weights, drop axels, and so on. I have to find a way to laugh a little!

Yes, I have high expectations of my self. Next week I'm going to lower them and relax. I'm very happy with my trainer. A little serious, but a good guy and good trainer. So far though, thumbs up for System Transport. I'll be running a 48 ft. flat bed with a Kenworth 660. However I'm training on a 53 ft. flat bed with a KW 880. It's a heavy hauler. The tractor has one drop axel and the trailer has a tridem with a drop axel. This trailer doesn't turn as sharp as that 28 footer I used to get my CDL.