Question:
I don't know if this ever happened to any of you..... A year ago I was accepted to and attended Schneider's Fontana OC for their 11 day training.
The first day was all classroom. We took a few tests which I scored a perfect 100% on. On the second day we were paired up and placed with DI's and I was paired with my motel roomie who had driven for SNI for a year. He was doing local work for a couple years for a different co. and was going through the SNI training again.
So, he and I were put with this DI who was a good guy but when we got in that truck.....it SUCKED!! I mean I sucked.we drove around the yard for a couple hours and I had one HELL of a time with the shifting! The second part of the day, we hooked up with a 53' trailer and went out on the road.
Man, that took the cake. This instructor was yelling at me and here I am, flustered as heck and hating every minute of it. I also looked completely inept compaired to my training mate since he picked the stuff up no prob. I couldn't WAIT to get out of that truck!
Well, I bailed.....I quite and rented a car and drove home the next day. They really tried to talk me into staying but I wouldn't hear of it, my mind was made up. I have regretted that decision. I never do that kind of stuff but my reaction was so visceral and negative. I have since talked with one of the local schools here and they assured me that they would spend as much time as needed to train me properly so I would not only get my CDL but know how to shift well and all that. The thing is, I DO want to drive a truck as a career, I love driving, I put in 75-100K miles a year as a courier now so OTR is not so foreign to me.
I have talked to a few drivers lately and told them my story and thay all basically said "you just gotta get over that 'hump' of learning how to operate a tractor-trailer. Once you do that, your golden" I KNOW that is right..I just have to do it.

Answer:
Well if it's what you want to do then go do it. Just decide on the route to take. You may even want to give SNI a call and see if they are still interested. They might take you back. You won't know unless you call. If not there are other ways to get your training. Just make a decision on how to get where you want then go do it and stick with it.
Great Stuff
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Hey Bigtimber, don't worry about it bud, After my first day driving with a trailer out on the street's I got back and called home and told my wife I wanted to quit. But I didn't and I went back the next and practice really is the only way of getting over this hump. Everyone I know of has those jitter's the first time you have a 53 foot trailer behind them for the first time.
I remember one guy in my class was real cocky, because he had a friend who was a truck driver and he pulled 35 foot gooseneck trailer's behind a one ton dually. Those feeling's of cockiness changed the second he got behind the wheel of a truck.
Once I learned I could manuever the truck and how to shift properly, I remember how much pride and enthusiasm I felt. It is a great feeling and one you will soon get if you stick with it. That's why they have driving schools. If the schools are done properly it can really get you to the point where you actually do learn something and feel comfortable doing it. Best of luck to you and please don't give up so easily next time.
If it ain't broke modify it, that's what I do. Funny thing is it alway's end's up falling apart. Can't quite figure it out.


Answer:
Hey, thanks a lot for the input!