Question:
Hello fellow newbie!!!
I've just retired from 30-years in the fire service and have begun a second career as an OTR driver. When I was a new fireman (probie) attempting to learn my new profession and making some mistakes one of the "old guys" gave me some great advice.
"Probie, just focus!! Ignore all the negative imput and work HARD on learning!! Don't waste time responding to anyone... just focus on your job!! Read you textbooks, training manuals, and practice, practice, practive your new skills!!!"
It was good advise and got me over the top of the new information learning curve.
Now, with you permission, I'm going to give you the same advice...
"Newbie, JUST FOCUS!!!" Get off TruckNet unless you are researching training topics. Read your textbooks, CDL manual, etc... Get out in your car and drive the road test routes. While you are driving FOCUS on how you would drive if it were an 18-wheeler. THINK "Truck Driver".. AND WORK HARD!
DO NOT WASTE any more time attempting to care about what anyone else thinks.
There are tens of 1000's of folks who have become good, professional truck drivers and you can do it too.... if ya FOCUS on the correct things.
OK, with that said I'll let ya get to work.
Be Safe and Keep Smiling!!!
FireGears-wishing you a Merrry Christmas

Answer:
.
[This message was edited by LoriAz on January 12, 2004 at 1:34.]

Answer:
Lori,
There's such a thing as "trying too hard". It's the point at which stress starts to compromise logic.
It's VERY common among types like you...and ME!!!! In fact, it was probably the biggest problem I had when I started.
Focus on the "objective".
-----> Become an employed, certified/qualified, Class-A CDL driver. <------
My advice? Memorize those words. Everytime you encounter an obstacle (technical, personal, whatever...) repeat your objective.
-----> Become an employed, certified/qualified, Class-A CDL driver. <------
Sometimes it's better to lose the fight of the moment, than to let winning it distract you from your objective. All this will be ancient history in no time and it won't matter anyway. Don't let anything get in your way or knock you off-track. Let it go. Focus on your objective.
-----> Become an employed, certified/qualified, Class-A CDL driver. <------


Answer:
If I listened to all the negativity here, and in the truck stops, or on the CB, I'd quit a while ago!
Focus Grasshopper...focus!

Answer:
Hahahahaha
This troll keeps on hooking fish left and right. Funny stuff.
Anybody figure out who it is yet?
___________________________
Humans are amazing creatures. "With all the things you can train them to do, I've been considering getting one."-Stoney Jay Gould
__________________________
This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
OH, she's real alright Dominoes.
ask Stuffs about his encounter with her, he met her, well sorta. hahaha
she's a forty something woman with a mentality of child and loves the negative attention.
Poetic justice would be she never gets her cdl. But then, it's likely/probably her other personality who thinks she's in trkers school.
I've started a pool on "how long Lori's driving career will last". My spot is 11 days, someone else said "not through training, trainer will kick her out"; others were more generous and gave her a few months. What spot would you like?
.
[This message was edited by Farmer Joe on December 22, 2003 at 13:00.]
Answer:
Hahaha
I thought about it being Triscuitt or somebody who's trained somebody like this. 11 days, eh?
___________________________
Humans are amazing creatures. "With all the things you can train them to do, I've been considering getting one."-Stoney Jay Gould
__________________________
This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
I give her six months before she has a nervous breakdown or to get to confused with arguing on the radio and wreck her truck.
Happy Dweller Society - Canadian Division
Answer:
How nice. A seemingly good thread and here comes the self indulged to make more uncalled for replies.
'Carpe Diem' does not mean 'fish of the day'.
"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
[This message was edited by Stuffs on December 22, 2003 at 23:45.]

Answer:
6 Months?? Hell.. this wreck should just give up now while she's ahead and go to bartending school. There's a career she'll get some attention "Heeeeeeeeeeeey bartender.. gimme a shot of...."

Answer:
.
[This message was edited by LoriAz on January 12, 2004 at 1:35.]

Answer:
Originally posted by LoriAz:
nevermind
I couldnt have said it any better. I guess Lori realizes she has no mind.
Happy Dweller Society - Canadian Division
Answer:
.
[This message was edited by LoriAz on January 12, 2004 at 1:35.]

Answer:
Lori, at least you "focused".
Straight line is the easiest yet most have the hardest time with. You should hardly have to move the wheel in a straight line.
As your training progresses and becomes more difficult, come back and ask the questions. You will get answers. You may have to over look the snide comments, but you will get answers.
Looking forward to your questions.
Merry Christmas

Answer:
Lori, straightline..if the trailer drifts left..turn it left. If it drifts right turn right. Drifting right is evident in the fact you have the left edge of your trailer filling(as in not even) up your left mirror. Straightline is very easy for me, should have know it being easy would affect the other kinds of backing.
I know what I just told you seems OPPOSITE of what you've been told. But trust me..it works. Seems to be the only time for me that the drift left turn left,drift right turn right works. But if you think about it. Imagine a straight line next to the left side of the truck..your drifting left..to close..so you will turn left to make yourself further away from the line. Which makes the turn left to go right(away) from the line, and if your drifting right you want to turn right to make the back end go left(closer). Which comes down to right=closer,left=away from what ever line you have.
Do you get what I am saying? If not go out...right now...and buy a toy truck. Yes I said a toy truck(18 wheel truck) make sure it rotates at the 5 wheel. See if what I said doesnt work. It does. This is probabaly the ONLY thing I learned with my school is the drifting thing. It was my thing with curved backing to left=away, right=closer.
Hope this helps you some. I also hope I did not just confuse you.