Question:
Here's my 7th week at truck driving school finished Friday, October 11, 2002.
Monday:
Worked in the textbook--recognizing/reporting malfunctions, displaying responsibility, representing yourself on behalf of yourself and the company, having a good working relationship with the customer, being professional, being the best one can be. There's no second chances for first impressions.
Also talked about thinking before doing (turns, maneuvers, etc.)
Watched a video on mirror usage and adjustment.
Drove the circuit (okay, I'm getting tired of driving this circuit, already!), practiced backing, and practiced the rodeo (close-quarter maneuvering.)
Tuesday:
Reviewed the circuit in class--remembering to stay in our lane (there's no pavement, lines or curbs, so we have to imagine they're there.) More discussion on shifting. Emphasis on challenging ourselves when out there driving the rodeo or circuit; find ways to expand your skills. Don't cheat when doing depth-perception by using markers. Try to get a feel for the depth.
Orientation for 13 and 18 speeds.
Took a test on truck components and general knowledge.
Instructor took 4 people with him up town in a tractor-trailor to show us where we'll be driving when we hit the streets.
Practiced the rodeo (oh, and the instructor's adding some backup alleys to the circuit to give us more to practice!)
Wednesday:
Watched a video on backing. Began textbook work on sliding the 5th wheel and trailor tandems. (Instructor did a demo on both for us.) Learned about weight distribution and it's effects.
Practiced rodeo (I know, the rodeo again? Well, it's great practice, and we have a check-off test for it coming up.)
Thursday:
Review and discussion of the test we took earlier in the week. (The instructor isn't at all
interested in pass/fail or grades; he wants us to learn. That's what's important to him.)
We will be doing our check-off testing tormorrow for coupling and uncoupling. Also, next week we'll be doing our check-off testing for pre-tripping and an additional test--tags will be hooked
to about 20 different components on the truck. We'll have to identify them all.
More discussion about backing and on safety--good habits to form when backing. DON'T be afraid, no matter what to do two things: pull up if needed and get out and look! Driver error when backing is way to high, and it shouldn't be this way. Get out and look. Get a spotter if needed.
Watched another video on backing and then one on road rage. Discussion about being mentally ready before getting into the rig.
Practiced the . . . you guessed it, the rodeo. (Like I said, there's blind-side backing, alley backing, serpentine maneuvers, driving the rig through a set of tennis balls with onlly about 2 inches on either side of the duals. Good stuff!)
Friday:
Tested out on coupling and uncoupling. I did fine. We all did, as a matter of fact. It's a very good class of the 15 of us.
Ok, I've been working on the rodeo all day. I'm not staying after school and practicing today. I'm pooped!
Well, till next week!
For the road,
Starkman

Answer:
Good post Starkman,
All this stuff gets you engaged and starts building professional skills and attitudes. Sounds like a good school.
Backing accidents outnumber all others by far. They're also the easiest to prevent.
Most driver injuries are from falling off the truck -- usually from the driver's door or off the trailer.
Safety should almost be an obession. It's all common sense, and thinking before you do it.
Safety actually becomes tougher over time, as your mind plays tricks on you. Speeding, backing without a clear view....everything seems less likely to go wrong after months and years with nothing happening -- so you start letting down your guard and taking more chances. Of course, when you look at it logically, the reason you've had no incidents is because you've followed the good sense that reduces the risk of an accident or injury. Yet, since nothing's happened so far, you start altering the very behavior that's protected you in the past.
All these habits and skills you're learning now are extremely important. It sounds like you take them seriously. Wish more did.
There's no one sitting in prison, or facing a huge civil trial, or looking at a $500 ticket, or even shut-down for a log violation who says, "that was worth it". Every one would do it differently if they had the chance to do it over --- so learn to do it right the first time, every time.
Have a safe one

Answer:
AMEN to that Shuffler
aman
Answer:
Originally posted by Starkman:
Monday:
...representing yourself on behalf of yourself and the company, having a good working relationship with the customer, being professional, being the best one can be. There's no second chances for first impressions.
Wow, they actually go over this stuff with you guys? Now I'm really getting impressed.
Tuesday:
(there's no pavement, lines or curbs, so we have to imagine they're there.)
Sort of like how supertruckers drive their large cars in a thick fog! They just imagine they are there-and continue driving at 70 MPH! And everyone complains about the new breed!Sheesh.
DON'T be afraid, no matter what to do two things: pull up if needed and get out and look!
And shut off the CB, because all of the old breed will be cussing you out for preventing them from roaring through the truckstop at warp 4, then jaking to a stop at the fuel island.
Answer:
I think some of the self-taught 'old timers' would be surprised what a good product some of these schools turn-out. The majority do an excellent job getting newbies on-board with safety and professionalism, given the time alotted.
The problem with newbies is usually the driver themself, not the way they were taught or the quality of the school or instruction.
So much is blamed on the "new breed". But the fact is, they're the best trained drivers the industry's ever seen. Some of the senior drivers (not you, Highwayman) could use a few weeks of truck school. They'd be amazed how much they've drifted away from safe, common sense professionalism over the years.
PS: I know everyone teaches "turn off your cb" in truck stops, since it's not only distracting but can alter your good judgment when folks start yakking at you and making your life difficult while you're trying to park. However, you run the risk of hearing "STOP!!!" from someone who see's something developing -- like a trailer backing into your reverse path. I keep mine on, just in case.

Answer:
Originally posted by Shuffler:
I think some of the self-taught 'old timers' would be surprised what a good product some of these schools turn-out. The majority do an excellent job getting newbies on-board with safety and professionalism, given the time alotted.
The problem with newbies is usually _the driver themself_, not the way they were taught or the quality of the school or instruction.
So much is blamed on the "new breed". But the fact is, they're the best trained drivers the industry's ever seen. Some of the senior drivers (not you, Highwayman) could use a few weeks of truck school. They'd be amazed how much they've drifted away from safe, common sense professionalism over the years.
PS: I know everyone teaches "turn off your cb" in truck stops, since it's not only distracting but can alter your good judgment when folks start yakking at you and making your life difficult while you're trying to park. However, you run the risk of hearing "_STOP!!!_" from someone who see's something developing -- like a trailer backing into your reverse path. I keep mine on, just in case.
You are right about the CB, I keep mine on as well. I did find though,when I was a trainer, that it did distract the rookie who was yet unsure of his abilities. So I always told them if it was distracting, to shut it off. When they were more comfortable with maneuvering the truck ,they would be able to better ignore the crap and leave it on.
I am also a believer of refresher training for everyone. Airline pilots must be re-certfied on the jets they fly every year. This involves taking a few days off from flying and going on the simulators in front of an instructor. I think truck companies should have a similar system, where they are periodically graded by a company trainer.
And when someone criticizes the new breed, I remind them who taught the new breed-the old breed!
Answer:
You posts from school are great!
Having fun with those "visitng" recruiters yet?
Work hard on tripping them up. Its fun and you'll need the practice on dealing with polished liars.

Answer:
Wow, thanks for the imput, folks.
This is some really good stuff you're adding to this post.
Today the instructor was telling us how he himself--even though he's the instructor and has been teaching for 18 years--HAS to be as careful as the rest of us, that he too makes mistakes, that he can't let his guard down. He's very honest about it because he has immense respect for the size of the rig and everyone else out there when he's driving. Very impressive (and humbling) to hear this.
Visiting recruiters? Nope, none yet, but they'll be in sometime soon, as I understand it.
Well, gotta get back in class!
For the road,
Starkman
For the road,
Starkman

Answer:
I know Shuffler didn't mean the majority of Truck Driving Schools put out good students. Why, because the majority of schools are only 2-3 weeks long and pump out newbies that can barely pass their driving test. I've seen lots of them. Far to many CDL mills out there and they outnumber the good schools.
Starkman seemed to have made a good choice in schools. Being in his 7th week means it's not a short cdl program but a driver program instead. I went to an 8 week school. We had time to discuss things and practice away. The short schools don't have time for much. To bad there aren't more requirements for schools to follow training guidelines.
As far as the cb goes. You can leave it on but not rely on it or even trust it. Someone can hollar out that your clear go ahead back while you drive into someone's front end. I've seen it happen. They were talking to a driver from the same company 2 rows over. G.O.A.L. (get out and look) is the best way. Count on yourself and not others. If you know your safe then you will most likely be alright.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Just remember, besides docks etc.. never park where you have to back and remember (G.O.A.L)Get Out And Look

Answer:
Week #7 done already.
Sounds like things are going good for you and that this school actually is worth the $$$ spent.
Like others have said, G.O.A.L. That's the best way to prevent accidents.
Have you had a chance to talk to any of the companies near your home yet?

Answer:
Got those letters--G.O.A.L.--posted on our truck mirrors at school! Learning it quickly, I am!
No recruiters yet have come into school. I'm hoping to take some time this Thursday and Friday (there's no school) to go out and talk to some more truckers.
Rats, gotta get to school, even as I write!
For the road,
Starkman

Answer:
Hey Hoss,
I'm just about ready now to start looking more aggressively around this area for possible employment. I feel comfortable and knowledgable enough to talk with some potential employers and get a feel for what's going on out there.
My wife just got a job driving city transit a week or so ago, so that, too, has taken up some of our time. I have to wait to pick her up after I'm out of school, and I'm busy practicing driving until I do so. Now, however, I can afford to leave a day or two immediately after school and do some research before I pick up my wife.
For the road,
Starkman