Joseph, July 2001*

July 2001

Joseph's School Journal

Male, 43 years

Introduction

Hi, I am originally from Traverse City, MI. I am retired from 23 years in the Air Force and have been driving a school bus the last two years. I have always loved traveling down the highway. I drove a straight truck part time on the weekends when I was stationed in Utah. I have had it with always watching and yelling at kids so I resigned and am signed up for truck driving school this summer.

July 2, 2001

I have enrolled in a community CDL course at a local college. It only costs $1500.00 this way and hopefully my VA benefits will reimburse me when I graduate. The first day of class was July 2nd. 33 people showed up and we began filling out paperwork for the college. Then they had us take some tests in English, math and reading to see if anyone needs additional help in that area. Some students might, because there is a very diverse group. We have people from India, and Nigeria, and places I never heard of. Speaking of diversity, we have big people and little people, men and women and all types of skin colors. Well, back to the journal.

After the tests we were given the afternoon to take care of important errands. Some of us still needed physicals and some needed CDL permits. By the way, this school is 4 weeks long and since it is so short they require you to have your permit on the first day because driving starts on the second day! Yippee! Well, I had a physical form from last years bus driving but I learned that it was not sufficient. Apparently you need to have both a long form and a DOT physical card. But since the recommended clinic was 3 blocks away and only $28.00, I went along with other classmates and got another physical. I do feel better knowing that I have exactly the right paperwork if I am ever pulled over and asked to present it. Just before we left for the day we were divided up into 3 groups. The school has only five tractors and trailers so we divided into 3 per truck. Then half the class were scheduled for driving in the mornings with afternoon class work, while the other half had the reverse schedule, and a few opted for evening driving. We left by noon and went home.

On day 2, I arrived at the driving range at 7 AM. We divided into our groups and I lucked out to have only one other student with my instructor and me. Also, luckily we were both pretty fast at picking things up. Well, the first thing we did was learn to do a pre-trip inspection. The instructor showed us where everything was and then had us each go back with checklist in hand and conduct the Pre-trip as he watched us and pointed out items we were missing or forgetting. Then he fired that baby up! All the trucks were different; ours was an International, conventional, with sleeper, Detroit six banger, and Super Ten transmission. That Detroit engine sure bangs (hammers) loudly at idle. We watched as the instructor backed under the trailer and hooked up the lines and raised the landing gear. Then he reversed everything and pulled forward a few feet. He then got out looked at us and said; “now you do it”. There was no time to get scared and wonder what I would find at the driver’s seat. I just jumped right up in there, looked at the shift pattern, pushed in the brake knobs and slid her into reverse. As I let go the clutch I immediately discovered how tight the spring was and I had a little difficulty slowing it down as it engaged. The tractor got ready to jump back but I quickly re-applied the clutch and brake and tried again. It took a few tries to get my leg muscles calibrated. It was also a little hard to unlearn using the gas pedal. (We were told not to touch the gas pedal at all while on the driving range). Okay, so I was backing under the trailer, and heard the big snap as the kingpin got locked into the fifth wheel jaws. Then I applied the brakes and hooked the lines and raised the gear. I did that all okay, then lowered the gear, unhooked the lines and grabbed the cheater stick, (long hooked rod used to pull out the jaws-release lever with out reaching under the trailer). I gave it a strong pull, heard and viewed the unlock mechanism. Then pulled forward. My classmate and I practiced this awhile.

Meanwhile another instructor came by and teased us about how sorry he felt that we got the hardest truck to drive. Later I asked our instructor if this was true and why. He explained that the Super Ten transmission was a little more difficult to learn because the driver must manually hit a switch between every other gear. But he said not to worry because he is going to teach us to float the gears anyhow. He said that floating the gears costs one point deduction on the driving test, but that's better than loosing a bunch of points for grinding gears which was more likely to happen if we shifted all the way through. Well, next up was backing the rig. So the instructor set up cones for us to practice backing. I was surprised because he did not tell us how to back or give us any hints or anything. He just told us where to start and finish and to not ever hit a cone or go through the imaginary wall. Okay, whew! Here we go, I already knew about using mirrors and over correcting etc. But I was surprised to already be all alone in a big truck. The instructor and my classmate watched from outside. I never jackknifed the rig, but I did do a lot of pull-ups until I got the feel for it. Later the instructor stated that he believed it’s just something you try until you get it, it can’t really be taught. I appreciated not having to remember anything, I thought that trial and error with no verbal pressure was something that really worked out great for me. I soon figured out that for me, my trick, was to keep the rear of the trailer a little bit angled towards the driver’s side cones and just follow it back with the tractor, while being careful to not angle to much towards the driver’s side cones. When it was my turn to watch, the instructor told me that he started us out with the cones extra narrow just to see how we would do. We did great! That was real cool to find out! So after about 20 minutes if backing, (2-3 times each) we moved the cones in more so that there was only about a foot on each side of the imaginary dock. Then we kept practicing backing into the dock all morning. Later came lunchtime so we headed up to the classroom.

In class the first thing we did was get our random drug test and then get our logbooks. The instructor carefully and slowly helped us document our last seven days of off-duty life including one-day on-duty not driving. (1st day of school). We then documented today’s off-duty and driving and on-duty non-driving. Not too bad. Then we began going through a list of trucking terms with the instructor telling us good educational trucker stories to go with each term. This took us to the end of day 2 of CDL school. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. We have a day off for the 4th of July.

In the classroom are lots of trucker magazines and some are dedicated to students and companies that hire students. I had been searching the net and the electronic newspapers for the last six months and never heard of these magazines. I had also been looking for local and regional job opportunities. But at the school were two huge bulletin boards filled with job offers for school graduates. Every conceivable driving job, OTR, local, LTL, tanker, flatbed, cement, grocery, and on and on. Whew! I finally don't have to stress about finding the exact job for me. I used to be worried, because I want something that gets me out of the city and on the highway, yet also gets me home every or most evenings. I would not mind being OTR for a month or so just to get qualified, but I wanted a local/regional job after training. All the OTR companies I had contacted stated that they only offered regional/local jobs to their already hired OTR drivers. And I was not willing to commit to OTR driving on the hopes that I might get lucky some day and find a local job.

I was almost convinced that my only choices were OTR or local grocery warehouses until I get that coveted 2 years experience that all the good jobs require. But Alas, I now have discovered that just about every local and regional job hauling of just about any type load or trailer is also available to students by one company or another. Whew! again. I asked my instructor why would people work for the local warehouse when local regional jobs were available. He said “ I guess they just don’t know any better, I know that I didn’t know any better when I started driving OTR.” But he did later tell us that he worked for a local LTL company in the city once, and they worked him to death. He made better money; they pay from 9.00 to 19.00 per hour but work you hard loading and unloading. He said he was glad to get back to OTR just so he could rest. I added all this so if anyone reading is in my shoes they can also know that there are plenty of opportunities and you could find your type of job. I have nothing against OTR, I would do it if I needed the money real bad or was not married. But at this time in my life, I would rather sleep in my own bed as often as possible. It’s nice to know that if I ever needed to get a jump in income I could go OTR on a whim and be making big bucks rather quickly. Okay I am getting wordy here; next entry is after day 3.

Date: July 7th
Days 3 & 4

Arrived at the driving lot at 7am, did our pretrips and went back to backing practice. While backing a student from the previous class drove up. He had great job paying $500 per week and was home every night. Our instructor felt we had it down pretty good so he took us out on the road. Several blocks away, were still in the trucking industry district and had terminals saturated every where with train tracks too. We were asked to begin driving and learning to shift the Super 10 up and down these streets. I had a few problems figuring out how to remember to switch the toggle switch back and forth between every other gear. Since our instructor required that we “float” the gears, (not use the clutch), I also had to re-learn the rpm requirements for floating. I had been able to do it in a 4 speed automobile. But with the diesel I was afraid to over rev the engine on down shifts. But were making it up and down the streets safely and going around corners, over railroad tracks, changing lanes and turning at traffic lights. All in all it was a great day of driving.

In the afternoon we went to class and finished trucking terms and went over the 10 hour rules and all the ins and outs accompanied by trucking stories used to emphasize points.

On day 4, we did our pre-trip and went straight out on the road. Today I could zip right through the gears and was told to slow down and take it easy. I can up shift and down shift now with out missing a gear and only use the clutch to start and stop. It was a wonderful feeling to finally achieve this level. Now I know I can make it! So after driving all morning we went to class and listened to a recruiter from Werner. He gave a very interesting and compelling presentation. They sound like the perfect company. I wonder why every OTR driver is not driving for them, or why anyone might be unhappy with them. I probably wont hire on because I want more home time. Like I said before, there is a myriad of choices out there, and it appears that I can find exactly the job that suites my interests and lifestyle. After Werner, we began learning map reading, quadrants, and the truckers atlas. This included several exercises. During a break another previous student showed up and talked about his company. He is OTR, but has only been away from home twice, since most his runs are local. After more learning it was time to go home for the weekend.

July 11th, 2001
On Monday morning our truck was still in the shop for air conditioning repair. So we went to class with the morning students and ended up with half a day driving to make up later. We learned more about logs, preventive driving schools and map reading. On Tuesday we returned to street driving in our rig. We all did very well, even though a began having a problem hitting 6th gear on a down shift. I just couldn't find it all morning? But all our other driving skills were great. The instructor says he will put us in for the “Best Driver Award”. In class we continued defensive driving lectures and movies as well as log book scenarios.

On Wednesday it was raining all morning, but we hooked up, jumped in and hit the road. This time our instructor took us around the course we will take for the final CDL test. We were required to each drive the course which included city and freeway driving. It took us around the industrial park and across several railroad tracks and included one hazmat stop. Then we headed up a 6% grade and on out towards the freeway. Here we had to merge from the left side then cross two lanes and cruise at 45-50 mph for several miles. Then we took an exit which was down hill and winding onto another road. We were required to downshift to at least 5th gear and then re-exit the cloverleaf back onto the same freeway going back the way we came. A few miles later we were required to take another downhill exit and down shift into 5th. We crossed a road and began up the entrance to the same freeway. Here we were tasked to pull over, put the flashers on, explain posting and retrieving the triangles, then re-enter the road. Here we had to pull forward up hill on a 6% grade with out allowing the rig to roll back even one inch! Then keep up shifting without missing gears and continue back to the industrial park. Again we were tasked with a steep down hill which required using the flashers and downshifting again. After getting down off the freeway we were to drive around the area a little more and make some turns without hitting the yellow centerline or the right hand curb. This was really tuff. But we all did it and were told that if it were test day we would have passed.

We returned to the class and met with the FedEx ground recruiters. This company had everything I was looking for. Local/OTR driving. 100% no touch, 6 months OJT, but almost every night home. I already submitted my application. The pay is unknown at this time because they subcontract all the OTR work and each contractor has his own business and pay. The company however, collects and screens applications and submits approved applications to the contractors. I will let you know how it goes. In class today we worked on some math exercises and then used the remainder of the day to plan and document an over the road trip with two drops. We were tasked with finding mileage, routes, times, and documenting it all on our worksheet and practice logs. A very good day today! Tomorrow we are supposed to concentrate on 45* backing and on Friday we get tested on our Pre-trips.

July 14th, 2001
The 45 degree backing was great. At first it was awful, getting the feel for the angles etc. But very soon we were putting the trailer in the dock on the first or second attempt. It was hard to fight the urge to back right towards the dock entrance. We finally learned the art of a wide easy arc into the dock. We began to challenge each other to have the tractor straight when done! So far I rarely get it in the first time. I usually have to pull forward 1 time to get her in. I have a small problem with knowing when the end of the trailer is even with the back of the dock, so I am still working on my depth perception skills. In class we reviewed log violations, and covered more defensive driving and cornering techniques.

On Friday the 13th we were tested on our pre-trip including in cab pt. The three of us passed but I got the lowest score mainly because I did not repeat identification of wheel and suspension parts on every single axle. I am sure to improve that score very easy. We all did great on the brake pump down test. After receiving our evaluations we went out on the road and practiced/refined our shifting and down shifting skills. The newest challenge was trying to notice and remember street signs and building addresses which the instructor requested after we passed them. Then in the afternoon classroom we took our log book violation test and then worked on a trip logging exercise. We listened to another defensive driving lecture and watched some applicable movies. Finally we worked one more cross country log book exercise and were then released for the weekend. By the way we have lost 7 out of 33 people for drug screens, and we also lost one who decided to drop out and work for FedEx ground in the new home delivery division. Out latest recruiter was TMC, a flat bed company. $900 per week and home on the weekends. Training OTR with them enables a person to be home every 2 weeks during training. They sound real good if I can’t find a more local OTR position. I sent my application to FedEx, and I am waiting to hear back from them. Keep on truckin!

July 16th, 2001
Its a Monday! I thought we were going to be backing today, but instead we ended up taking turns driving the circuit (the course used for the final CDL driving test). We all did much better around town and up on the freeways. Merging, downshifting into downhill winding exits and starting on inclines with out rolling backwards. The instructor would kick it out of gear at a safe time just to see us "handle it", and make a recovery without having to stop the rig. In class we logged a 3-4 day trip from Kansas City to Denver, Cheyenne, Salt Lake, Grand Junction, Denver and back home. It is fun to log all the tire checks, breaks, fuel stops and finding places on the map to spend the night. All in all it was a good day. I learned that we begin our final driving tests on next Monday and then enter into competitions. Joseph

July 17th, 2001
Well today we got to alley back hundreds of times. Getting in there pulling up and putting it in the second or third time was no problem. I learned that as long as you get the trailer half way in you can stop and say you are done. Doing this makes you loose 1 point as opposed to putting it in too far and loosing 3 points for backing into the dock. Anyways, we kept trying to outdo each other in attempting to back it in from 45 degrees on the first try. My partners were able to do it most the time but I just have not got that sweet spot in my mind yet. I keep getting too close to one wall or the other. Our instructor said we probably wont be backing anymore before the test, cause others need to use the backing area too. So I expect to spend more time out on the road over the next few days. It looks like we will be testing on Friday. In class we continued our 4 day trip and went from Golden, Colorado on back to Kansas City. Then we totaled the miles and figured out out pay. In four days of driving we traveled about 2100 miles and earned 600.00 gross. Then we did some math problems and it was time to go home. But over lunch we heard from the Swift recruiter. They sound like a very big company and they appear to have lots of extra money that they tack on to your pay, like 100 percent insurance, stock options and the most beneficial 401K I have ever heard of. Their trucks are governed at 60 mph to save lives, fuel and equipment costs. Their pay and training program seem to be just as fair as the next company. I have not heard back from TMC or FedEx yet, but I did learn that some of the local fuel truck companies hire students but they work you on 12 hour days. That's too long for me if I have to also commute over an hour each way. That would only leave 8 hours at home, might as well be working OTR and be home on the weekends. Well, bye for now, Joseph

July 18th, 2001
This morning we did our pre-trips and headed to the tire shop to fix a leak in a trailer tire. I was amazed to see how the tire was removed. The trailer inboard trailer tire was backed up onto a small piece of wood, which in turn lifted the outside tire off the ground by 2 inches. Then the tire man removed the valve core and the tire deflated. Then he just broke the seal by pounding it a few times with a tire hammer. Then he used a tire iron to pry the tire away from the wheel. In just a few moments he was wheeling the tire into the shop without ever touching a lug nut. (the rim stayed attached to the axle). He fixed the tire in the usual way and remounted it with the same simple tools. He made it look like it was easier than changing a bicycle tire! In no time we were back on our way running the practice course for the CDL driving test. We all did very very well, and afterwards, the instructor told us we will have no problems passing the test! Whew. In class we watched a film on railroad crossings and then worked on our resumes. We just had to make out a good resume using handouts as a guide, and a cover letter also. After that we began another log trip to the west coast. We were given a handout with times and locations of loads and unloads on the way to California. We got about half way done and it was time to go home. More and more it looks like I am going to sign up with TMC. I called the recruiter today to insure I understood the details; 4 days orientation, 4 days load securement training, 4 days systems and skid pad training. Then 1-3 days off back home. Followed by 6 weeks OTR with a trainer. I am assured (not guaranteed), to be home every other weekend during training. That's only 3 weekends away from home! Then I am supposed to get issued a Freightliner less than 3 years old and take it and my trailer home every weekend. I am guaranteed to be home 46 out of 52 weekends, and minimum salary of 650 a week with a 900 per week potential as a newbie. All I have to do now is make a place to park the tractor and trailer combination. Well I got 7 days of class left now. Talk back at you later. Joseph

July 19th, 2001
Today our trailer brakes were stuck on so we had to wait a couple hours for a mobile mechanic to come out and replace a faulty valve. Then we hit the road mostly practicing freeway on ramps and off ramps including starting and stopping on steep inclines. In class we watched films produced by Eaton/Fuller all about transmissions and proper shifting and driving techniques. The thing that stuck out most in my mind was how its harmful to the shifter forks down inside the transmission if you were to drive with your hand resting on the shift lever. They showed us the inside workings of the transmission and also showed certain worn and damaged areas due to poor shifting. Even floating the gears puts extra wear on certain parts that would not occur if the clutch were used. We also saw films and lecture about passing and collision avoidance. Then we continued to log a trip with several loads and unloads from KC to Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, and back to KC. A 5 day trip that netted $1000.00. Driving is getting easier every day. Joseph

July 20th, 2001
Hello fellow newbies! I had another great day at CDL school. I did not get to take my driving test but I am expecting to take it Monday and pass with no problems. Today we hopped in, and began driving the test route over and over. Also we were joined by a former student that had graduated in Feb. He came back for a free refresher session before he goes to work for a carrier on Monday. I learned that this school offers free refresher training anytime a former student wants it! Well, we all drove around just great. When we got back to the lot we were given time to practice backing. I got it in the first time with no pull-ups. I decided to stop there and go to lunch. No use pressing my luck! In class we took our weekly test and then learned how to use summary sheets. Then we watched some films of defensive driving and then it was time to go home. I got home and called my recruiter at TMC and he finally received my application. He said everything was in order and to call him back Monday afternoon to make travel arrangements for orientation. Mean while I ordered some gravel and culverts to extend my #2 driveway so I can easily back the tractor and trailer onto my land with out driving something into a ditch. I have to back in off of a one lane rural gravel road with deep ditches on each side. So I want it all ready when I bring my rig home in Sept.

July 25th, 2001
On Monday I got to take my driving test. I was assigned the hardest guy and almost put it off a day to get an easier tester. But then I decided to go for it and trust myself. Out we went in 99 degree heat to do the PTI. I just missed one of two minor things and we got in to do the In-Cab PTI and brake test. All went well there too, so we moved on to the 100 foot straight-line backing. No sweat there either. Then came the 45 degree alley dock. Here I got it right in the first time but broke the plane just by a hair and took 1 point for that and an additional point for not getting exactly in the dock box at the rear bumper. ( I stopped a little short). Then on to the curbside cone. I was afraid I was too close so I backed up a little bit one time and so instead of getting a zero, I took a point there too. Then the instructor/tester hopped in and we were off for the road test. Off we went on the same old circuit through the area that we had already been driving. I took a point for revving/shifting and got that out of the way. (you can not be gigged more than once for this even if you continue to mess up)! When making the first right turn I guess I did not look over my left shoulder one last time as the cab veered right in its turn. (1 point). Then at the next right turn I had traffic coming and so I touched the trailer wheel to the curb a little bit. (1 point). Most the time turned my turn signal off to soon, (1 point). And I think that's all I got on the driving. He hit the freeway, did a down hill downshift type exit and re-entered the freeway. Then we did the stop on a hill, having to restart without rolling back. Then we re-entered the commercial district on a down grade (simulated 6%), and so i had to recited the proper 6% downgrade procedures and then do them. Then we went down a few streets, made a few turns and it was all over, so we headed back to the school. I passed, Whew!! We watched others being tested and soon it was time for the afternoon session in the classroom. We did some practice log trips, and listened to lectures on defensive driving and took our last weekly test.

On Tuesday while others were testing or re-testing, some of us were allowed to enter competition for the "Best Driver" award. This consisted of the regular 45 degree backing, plus the tractor had to be straight with the trailer when done, plus you are disqualified if you break the plane at any time. Then after the 45 degree, you must do 3 more tighter backs all the way up to a complete backing U-turn into the alley! I did them all with a total of 10 pull-ups. My buddy got it in 9, and the best so far is 3! Remember all these maneuvers must end with the trailer straight with the tractor and the total of all parking maneuvers was just 3 pull ups for one classmate. Got to go, tell you more soon.

Continued....

Well I am back, false alarm...my daughter is about ready to give birth!

After the parking competitions we went to class and had some more defensive driving lectures and films about drugs etc. On Wednesday morning I was the first to be selected to take the best driver road test. This time I was absolutely perfect in everything I did! Then my partner went and he to was perfect. In fact the tester's have not yet decided who to give the road test award to yet. Then at about 8 AM we heard from a very good speaker that works for Overnite. He taught us a lot and also shared some company benefit information even though he was not a recruiter. Overnite sounded real good, so after class two us went down and applied. For starters; you can work week days, and be home every night, or you can work 5 days over the road. The pay is great, local work starts at 15.75 per hour and OTR starts at 80% of 44 cents per mile. The company has lots of great benefits also, including retirement. Tomorrow we are supposed to be ready for our first OTR trip at 7 Am. Apparently we are going to head north from Kansas City through Smithville and up towards St. Joseph. Then we may have the last of the competition and then the afternoon class. Then on Friday we are supposed to graduate and be out by noon. I will keep you posted however, right on through my first weeks at my first job. Joseph

July 27, 2001
Its Friday afternoon of week 4 and I graduated CDL school and got my CDL! Yesterday we spent the morning on the road and each took a turn at driving on the freeway up towards St. Joseph. We stopped at a truck stop in Kearney and had a great breakfast and then headed through rural areas before winding our way down through Smithville and the KCI airport and on back to the school. Class time in the afternoon was just finishing up our files and making sure all required paper work was completed. Then on Friday we were there to hear another great safety lecture this time from a Roadway guy. After that we received our paperwork and left. I went straight to the license bureau and for another 49.00 I got my CDL with every possible endorsement. Now I just have to concentrate on finding the right job the first time. I will keep you posted.

Page 2>>>