Question:
I've finished the schooling and havn't proven to be especially gifted at driving (shifting mainly) to say the least. I plan on becoming one of the best and safest drivers on the road but to get over this hurdle I need God's help and plenty of prayer ... thanks in advance!
[This message was edited by apple on November 06, 2003 at 7:50.]

Answer:
So its tomorrow...How did it go? I hope well for you

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Thank you so much for the well wishes Bearbell, ... actually I'm 1 1/2 hours away. Any last minute support will be much appreciated!

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I got my cdl in july , I know what you feel. but it'll come to you during the test . Mostly common sence.
Ps. I could'nt shift either.
Good luck

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Hope you put it in your pocket. I tested at 9:30 this morning and things went my way. Overall I am pretty happy about my whole school experience. I can't say enough good about the staff and faculty at Transport Tech in Bessemer PA. They run a top notch program... There is very little that you won't experience with them and their road trainers will send you out with a very high skill level providing that you put forth the effort, and listen to what they are telling you.

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I did well on the pretrip, in cab inspection and the parking and all of that but I didn't get far into the driving portion before I took a turn too tight and took out a street sign. The tester had to call my instructor and the police and then we all had to go to the police station where I was cited. I was ready at that point to consider myself non trucker material and throw in the towell but the instructor said, "things happen" and to get back in there and go for it. That's what I plan on doing. I don't know what this episode will do to my employability though. Showing up at the yard will be a humiliating experience too.

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Dude, I am so sorry to hear that! What were you cited for? It could cause you some problems with employment, but I am sure that you could still get hired with some companies.
Unless you have a pattern of taking curb shots and running things over, I wouldn't let this phase you too much. You've obviously already completed most of your training so you might as well stick it out and complete the course.

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Even us "old greybeards" run over stuff now and then. Learn from the experience. I am sure that it will be a loooooong time before you run over another curb.
Put it behind you (take the razzing as a badge of honor). Someday you can look back on it and share a good laugh with your fellow drivers.
Like I said, learn from it. Don't let this get you down. Just take it slow and easy.
Daytripper
Sometimes you have to dig through a lot horsesh#t to find the pony.

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I won't repeat what I said when I read the post. I am really sorry,things went the way they did for you. We had one repeat tester come back the day we tested. He ended up buying the school a tree. Just a little tree, but still, he failed. There were no police called, as far as I know. He did come back the next day and passed.
Now you just need to brush yourself off and get back into the seat and try and relax when you retest. Forget about how things may go when you get back into the yard. We had few guys come back to practice some more while we were training. They were treated no differently from any of us and well we were so focused on what we were doing that them being there was not important to us. Other than to help them and they help us. All and all it turned out ok for them and us.
Your going to get this sometimes it just takes a bit of time. Good luck and I know things will work when its time.

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Thanks all, you've make me feel much better. Come to think of it, I've seen a few come back for another round since I've been here and was so focused on my own plight that I thought nothing of it but to wish 'em well. The truck has a few battle scars and the police seemed to be pretty familiar with the instructor, like maybe this wasn't the first time they'd seen him. Yeah, it'll be a loooooong time before I take another short corner, that's fer sure! *brush* *brush*. Ok, .... I'm ready.

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Hey apple, there is an old saying that states: Some of the worst things happen to the best people. I believe this to be true. Do not beat yourself up over it. I would also advise you not too worry too much about your career. Schneider had a student hit a car that had been parked while he was trying to make a button-hook turn. He was cited, went back to their school for more training, got his cdl, and went on to be employed by Schneider. Hope this lightens your mood a little. Keep your head up and keep er' between the ditches.
peace.
"Get busy living or get busy dying."-Shawshank Redemption

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That does lighten my mood Rossnem. That's a very good thing to hear. I've been pre-approved by Shneider too. I've been with my present employer for 11 years, so pre hires havn't been a problem. I thought maybe this incident would complicate things. OK, ... there's always Shneider then.

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I talked to the school today and they've set me up to come in Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for more training and then a retest Thursday.
I called work in Ohio and they're behind me, giving me another week's leave of absence so I'm set. I've got a long weekend to think things through and shake it off to boot.
I finally got around to looking at my ticket and all it says is, "Improper right turn". That doesn't look quite so bad ...

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Best of luck to you Apple! You've got the pre-trip jitters out of the way and the previous drive portion went the way everyone's nightmares envision. As a result, the worst that could be has already been, the next round will be a breeze!
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I went down to Salamanca, NY about an hour South of Buffalo and aced my test in a lake effect snow squall in 30 mph winds. I took all of your good advice and cut out caffiene completely and it cut dowm my jitters considerably.
I feel a bigger sense of accomplishment from this five weeks than I did after four years of high school.
Man, I can't wait to get back to Ohio and see my wife!