February
2001
Jim's School
Journal
Introduction
Since I was a
child I was interested in the trucking industry. It
wasn't just the driving but everything about trucking.
Recently I have been laid off from my teaching position
in NYC. After researching different career choices I
decided to follow my gut and try my hand at driving. I
learned a great deal from these pages and hopefully by
keeping this journal I will be able to give someone else
a better idea of what they might go through. I will try
to post something new each day.
02/19/01
Started school today at Smith and Solomon in
Edison, NJ. Class starts at 7:30 AM and ends at 4:00 PM.
It’s a three week course consisting of the following:
Week One, classroom work, Week 2, Yard work, Week 3,
Road work. Today we began with the NJ CDL drivers’
manual. Due to the fact that I live in NY there are a
few differences. The instructor, Paul, kept this in mind
and made sure that he addressed any differences. We went
through a lot of information. Paul gave us specific info
about things that would be on the CDL written test and
took the time to explain in detail when anyone had
trouble understanding or had a question. It moved fast
but was fun… we’ll see if it stays that way… 'til
tomorrow.
02/20/01
Got there a few minutes late this morning… We
finished all of the information in the CDL manual. Paul
went into great detail about Tankers and Hazmat. Once
again he was really cool about helping each of us with
any questions. He is great when it comes to explaining
stuff. He really makes us understand it. Sometimes he
says there is a good way to do things and the right way
to do things. We took a practice test based on the
information Paul taught us… everyone seemed to do pretty
well. I guess that helps to prove that we are actually
learning. The general feeling of the class is that we
want to get to the trucks and see what we can do… Will
have to wait 'til Monday for that. Tomorrow is Log Books
and then Map reading… I’m sure the map reading
assignment is going to ruin my weekend but if it helps
then it’s definitely worth it. 'til tomorrow…
02/23/01
Sorry.... Didn't get a chance to enter anything the
past two days... On Wednesday most of the students who
did not already have their CDL permits went to take the
test. Afterwards we spent the day discussing FMCSR (in
great Detail). Thur.= LogBooks, Logbooks, Logbooks!!!
Today we discussed logbooks and some of the federal Regs.
We then had some map reading lessons and began our
homework assignment. Paul said it will probably ruin our
weekend and it looks like it will.
It's now
4:30 AM Saturday Morning and I have just finished my
homework assignment. Good Night
02/26/01
Started driving in the yard today. We all got a
detailed explanation of a brake test and Pre trip
inspection. The yard instructors are great. They make
sure to let you know exactly what you're doing wrong (or
right). They are always positive. I seem to
be doing well. We spent the day straight line backing
and doing brake tests and going over our in-cab and
pre-trip. They have a bunch of different trucks and we
all got a chance to use each of them. There was never
more than 2 students per truck. Tomorrow we'll be
learning the Alley Dock. Can't Wait!! :o}
02/27/01
We got right into it today... Hooked the trucks and
while they warmed up the yard instructors walked us
through the course we would drive... they had set up a
few different types of alley docking situations as well
as some areas for backing and turning. It was great.
Whenever someone needed help, the instructors were right
there. They really know their Sh*t. It was definitely a
long day; round and round, in and out of the alleys,
(sometimes not really in, " just outside"). I am getting
to the point where I feel confident in my abilities and
am looking forward to getting on the road. Since I
started school I have no regrets about my decision. Some
of my doubts and fears are also gone. Tomorrow will be
more of the same: alley dock, straight line, turning,
pre-trip, drop and hook, brake test, in cab. I'm not
going to post again 'til Friday or maybe Monday when the
road driving begins. Til then, see ya...
03/07/01
Finally went out on the road today. We had a few
days off due to bad weather forecasting... The "storm of
the century" obviously never happened. Learned how to
upshift and downshift. Downshifting is one of the
hardest things I've had to do in a long time. Three of
us in the truck, each drove for about 2 hours. We got a
late start but worked right through lunch. Today was a
great day... tomorrow we're gonna practice that
downshifting some more. bye4now
03/13/01
Sorry everyone, haven't had a chance to update in a
few days... due to the fact that we missed last Monday
and Tuesday, we made up the days on Sat & Sun. Phil, our
road instructor, kept telling us that we were going to
learn "how to drive". He said that the majority of
driving is knowing how to turn and shift. Running down
the highway is a waste of time. When talking to some
other students throughout the week, they seemed to be
getting more miles. I was a bit upset about this and
asked Phil why we weren't getting the same as the
students in the other trucks. He said not to worry about
it and that we were actually learning more and would be
better drivers than the others.
I didn't
believe him until we watched one of the other trucks on
the road on Sunday morning. We were definitely better
drivers. Phil spent most of the time with us teaching us
how to make turns and shifting. As I had mentioned
earlier, downshifting was a problem at first. With
Phil's help, I was downshifting like a pro by Saturday
and had no problems with anything by Sunday afternoon.
As for the drivers in the other trucks... Let's just say
they're lucky there were no people standing on those
curbs.
Anyway, I
went into the office on Monday morning to find out what
I needed to take my NY road test. I was told that I
would get EXTRA training for NY. (There are a few more
things to do for the NY road test). I need to go back
this weekend. I will be going out with another road
instructor and we will be using the actual truck that I
will be taking the road test in. They told me that it
will be a cabover with a flatbed trailer. It's much
easier to parallel park with that combination. Let's
hope all goes well this weekend. I'll let you all know.
My road test is scheduled for April 5th and I'm sure by
then I'll be ready. Smith & Solomon was definitely a
good choice as far as schools go. Bye4now
03/19/01
Went out this weekend with the Cabover and
flatbed... I thought alley docking was tough 'til I
tried parallel parking. We spent the morning driving and
getting used to the shift pattern and handling of the
COE. After lunch we spent the afternoon parallel
parking. Our instructor gave us a basic method for doing
it but said it is whatever works for each person. There
were two of us in the truck on Sat. so we got a lot of
practice.
On Sunday
there were four of us but we all made sure everyone got
a fair amount of time in. We aren't filling out logs
anymore because the course is officially over, although
all of us from NY still get the extra driving time and
parking practice. I am filling out my logbook anyway. I
figure it can't hurt, and if a carrier wants to see my
logbook from school it will also show the extra that I
had done. Unfortunately I will not be able to practice
next weekend but I will be back there the weekend after.
I'm sure the other students in the truck won't miss me
since they'll get more practice time without me there.
It would be nicer to get this practice in during the
week but the school won't do it. (I really can't figure
out why but they won't.) I guess that is my biggest
complaint about the school.
Anyway,
hope those of you reading this get something from it.
I'll update this journal again after I take my road test
on 4/05/2001. Til then, keep the dirty side down and the
shiny side up....bye4now
04/19/01
I haven't been around in awhile... had to go to
Florida to take care of some family business. Anyway I
took the Road test and FAILED... :o( I did everything
perfectly except for parallel parking. I have another
date but have to wait til May 3rd. Ridiculous but I have
to wait. I have a job lined up with MS Carriers after I
take the test so I'll let you all know how it goes.
bye4now
05/03/01
Today I finally got to take the Road test again. I
PASSED. Now I have to get in touch with the recruiter
from MS Carriers that I have been speaking to for the
last week or so. Hopefully I will be able to get to
orientation soon and then out on the road. I will be
starting a Trainee journal as soon as I finish
orientation and get a trainer. To all who are starting
to go where I have been...
GOOD LUCK,
DRIVE SAFELY
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