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Female, 35 years young
Introduction
Just starting out Truck Driving School, which will be 8 weeks part time. I won't mention the location or school name yet. I may leave the military this year, so this is just one of my back up plans instead putting all my eggs in one basket. I've been thinking about this job for around 9 months now and speaking to some of the drivers and reading so much info, I thought I'd take a shot. Right now I will attend part time at night. So far it seems okay. The first week we are studying for the CDL Permit. The test isn't as easy as I thought, there is a lot of information that needs to be learned. We saw the truck and I was able to go inside and take a feel. Seems kind of scary but hopefully I'll make it. One week gone, 7 to go.
May 17, 2003
Week Two. Finally have my CDL permit, and the test for the air brakes was not easy at all, however I did pass the Hazmat with no problem. This week I finally got in the tractor-trailer and drove in a parking lot over, and over again. Driving the 70 foot vehicle wasn't all that bad, it's just switching the gears and double clutching which can be confusing if you have no experience. The instructor was quite patient and took it slowly with me. Week three hopefully we'll be on the highway. More films regarding driving safely in bad conditions, double clutching, and safety for entering/exiting/ loading/ etc. as a trucker. So glad I'm finally on the road.
This is the second week and we are watching films on backing, safety, and railroad crossings. Then finally out into the yard and learn how to double clutch and backing. More of learning parts of the truck for the pre-trip inspection which I will test for later on. So many parts to know so you have to do your pre-trips Everyday in school to get use to it and finally pass. The instructors are good telling us almost every part there is, outside and out. Backing is of course more difficult at night but I think it's more of an advantage because it will prepare me for what's ahead.
Week four completed. One of the most difficult because I am trying to learn how to parallel park and 45 degree park. The instructor is good and assures me I will get it before the school is over. Also went on the interstate for the first time and a narrow highway that kept me nervous. Still trying to get the clutching down and how to work the rpms without riding the clutch.
One of the most important things while driving is always using your mirrors to see where you are, and that way you won't run off the curb or cut someone off to your left. Left turns has it's precautions and having people look at me as if their saying "Don't hit my car" makes me cautious. Finally I'm getting better on the pretrip, under the hood and the brake/suspension parts are the most important. Looking forward to week 5.
In the 5th week, we did more driving and practicing on the 90 and 45 degree parking, which is a skill I am still trying to master. The instructors always remind me of steering toward your trouble and that helps. The emergency stop practicing made me a little nervous, especially trying to down shift 7 or 8 gears at 45mph. We're driving a Freightliner condo, where you have to look more than 4 feet away away from the tractor. Night driving is good practice and makes me more aware of the driving in the dark dark narrow highways. More driving we will have the following week.
Week 6 I'm learning more and more everyday. Still trying to get the pre-trip inspection down and to all the newbies out there, if you go to a school more than 3 weeks, get prepared because there are lot of changes. I found out starting July 1st, all schools will begin to require a textbook completed by all truck driving school students. So think of it as a real college course.
I was on the interstate and the narrow roads in the truck and was real nervous sometimes, that truck seems like it will go completely off the white line to the right.
More parallel parking, which has to be the most difficult maneuver to learn in school. I'm glad I chose a 4-week course instead of 2 weeks. No way can I handle so much so fast. I have the downshifting RPMs good but still receive a reminder to shift when your rpms are 1000 and press on the accelerator when it reaches 1500-1800. It depends on which gear your trying to down shift. Shifting in any means in an intersection is probably a fail, and also shifting crossing a railroad track and in a curb. Lot to learn, folks. Two more weeks. I think I'll go with Star Transport or USXpess. Both seem to fit my physical abilities best.
Out in the yard practically most of the time practicing backing, parallel parking and 45 degree parking. More driving on the interstate and narrow highways. We also practiced doing logs. I made a mistake and tore out one page and the instructor told me to always void. Tear out pages can be a no no. I wonder why. I'm getting better with the backing, and all I know is, when you keep practicing, you will get better. In addition to having good instructors. I look forward to testing next week, man I can't wait. Being a female I had men look at me funny but I have to get use to it. Seems like when we were in the truck stops on Wednesdays it will be full by 8pm. Making right turns on a narrow road can be difficult, you will either have to wait for someone's courtesy, or wait and wait until no one is there. You definitely cannot back up once your committed in any turn. Night driving you have to be careful. Turning and looking at your right/passengers mirrors can be difficult. With dark streets I really couldn't tell how far the back of the trailer was from knocking the sign off the cement. So you have to pull up midway of the intersection, or ride a flat curb with the front of your tires. Big trouble with left turns and trying to hit that car behind you that's making a left turn the opposite direction. Just gotta be safe and listen to the instructors.
Week 8, is finally over, and likewise is my CDL Training! I passed my CDL exam last night and was kind of nervous. The one thing I will always remember from school is never change/switch gears while crossing a track, switching lanes or while turning. Always make wide right turns instead to prevent running over the curb. "Don't Cheat the RPMs" as one of my truck driver instructors told me. Never, ever coast or cruise and ride the clutch! Always have it in gear and never in neutral while driving or at a emergency stop. This can be dangerous. Turn towards your trouble. If you want the rear of your trailer to go right, turn it to the left. Many more advice, but I will always remember those. Thank you Ted, Greg and Dave from CDL Training Service in Kentucky!
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