I am now driving a class B truck (30ft in length). The opportunity provided by Werner Enterprises, in my opinion, was not a fair one. I now drive night shift for Wolfe News. I run about 10hrs, 5 nights a week (about 350 miles/night) and am home every day. The pay is ok, but realize I am new and inexperienced, so I will bide my time. At least I am home every day. If you can't get the pay you want, at least be able to sleep in your own bed. So all in all, things are going well.
That's it for now
Don
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Off To Werner Enterprises
Hello one and all, Wow, so much has happened since starting this BLOG. I have started and graduated from NTTS. I have taken and passed my NYS CDL road test. And now, I am on my way to begin a new career as a professional commercial driver. I have decided to close this BLOG and start a new Blog coinciding with the beginning of my trucking career. I have appropriately named the new Blog :"Trucker Probe" as I will be on probation for I believe 500 hours. This next BLOG will document my orientation and over the road training. It should be an interesting read. I hope you will join me: http://truckerprobe.blogspot.com/
My very best regards,
Don
My very best regards,
Don
Friday, July 17, 2009
Third Time is the Charm
Thursday July 16th the day I passed my NYS CDL Road Test. Wow, I was really beginning to doubt myself, but I told myself to just "Do It", and I did. It was a great ride. Ok, I could have done my paralell park better, but everything else went really well.
So, The next logical part of my BLOG, is to document my experience at Werner Enterprises. So far, my experience with their recruiting department has been great. I have had to reschedule my orientation three times, and they have been very understanding. The instructions for travel and lodging were very clear. I have an e-ticket waiting for me so all I have to do is arrive a little early, give my confirmation number, get my ticket and board the bus. When I arrive, call the Hotel for a pickup. Spend the night, and catch a shuttle to the terminal in the morning.
I will check back in from the Hotel next Thursday evening.
Best Regards,
Don
So, The next logical part of my BLOG, is to document my experience at Werner Enterprises. So far, my experience with their recruiting department has been great. I have had to reschedule my orientation three times, and they have been very understanding. The instructions for travel and lodging were very clear. I have an e-ticket waiting for me so all I have to do is arrive a little early, give my confirmation number, get my ticket and board the bus. When I arrive, call the Hotel for a pickup. Spend the night, and catch a shuttle to the terminal in the morning.
I will check back in from the Hotel next Thursday evening.
Best Regards,
Don
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Strike Two
Well, I was ready today, only slightly nervous. I had a good ride at the DMV. That is till I got approximately 100 yds from parking the truck. The DMV Inspector had given me a passing grade, and all I had to do was get back to the starting line and park the truck.
So, this is how it went, as before, all turns prior to getting on the highway were fine, the highway run was great as before. This time, when I exited, I got into the correct lane to make the left hand turn. I successfully exicuted the right hand turn where I hit the curb last time. I was on the way back and the Inspector wrote me up with a passing grade. I made the right turn, and was wide as needed, when a car came out of no where straight at me. I turned back to the right early and unfortunately put the trailer wheels up on the curb. One hundred yds to go to park the truck, and the Inspector scratched out the pass and failed me. I was crushed. I just couldnt believe it.
I am back at home now, I have to wait another two weeks to retest. Hopefully, third time is the charm. I am determined to get this once and for all.
Regards till then,
Don
So, this is how it went, as before, all turns prior to getting on the highway were fine, the highway run was great as before. This time, when I exited, I got into the correct lane to make the left hand turn. I successfully exicuted the right hand turn where I hit the curb last time. I was on the way back and the Inspector wrote me up with a passing grade. I made the right turn, and was wide as needed, when a car came out of no where straight at me. I turned back to the right early and unfortunately put the trailer wheels up on the curb. One hundred yds to go to park the truck, and the Inspector scratched out the pass and failed me. I was crushed. I just couldnt believe it.
I am back at home now, I have to wait another two weeks to retest. Hopefully, third time is the charm. I am determined to get this once and for all.
Regards till then,
Don
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I'm Back in the Saddle Again
Hello once again from the apartment provided by NTTS in Liverpool, NY. It is strange to be here once again, and yet, my old room mate is here and we are having a good time getting caught up again.
I can't help but feel the atmospher of the apartment has really changed. First Zak graduated, then me. Now I am back, and have learned that Freddy failed his road test and has returned home to await his next road test. This apartment is an ever-changing environment. Students come and go as they start and graduate from the school.
So, today I completed one of my road trips, with my favorite Instructor. I was nervous as I hadn't been in a truck for couple weeks. I did pretty good but truth be told, ground a few gears, and had some issues with a couple corners. My road Instructor had me go round in cirles like 3-4 times in the city to give me practice making right hand turns. Round and round we went, and even though it didn't look like it, I was getting better. After this we returned back to the school, where I was asked to parallel park. Well, it took thee times, but I got it on the third try.
Tomorrow I will have an opportunity to practice my parallel parking, as well as take a second road ride.
Till then, Have a great night.
Don
I can't help but feel the atmospher of the apartment has really changed. First Zak graduated, then me. Now I am back, and have learned that Freddy failed his road test and has returned home to await his next road test. This apartment is an ever-changing environment. Students come and go as they start and graduate from the school.
So, today I completed one of my road trips, with my favorite Instructor. I was nervous as I hadn't been in a truck for couple weeks. I did pretty good but truth be told, ground a few gears, and had some issues with a couple corners. My road Instructor had me go round in cirles like 3-4 times in the city to give me practice making right hand turns. Round and round we went, and even though it didn't look like it, I was getting better. After this we returned back to the school, where I was asked to parallel park. Well, it took thee times, but I got it on the third try.
Tomorrow I will have an opportunity to practice my parallel parking, as well as take a second road ride.
Till then, Have a great night.
Don
Friday, June 19, 2009
NYS Road Test Day,
We were all nervous as we gathered at the school. But even though we were nervous, everyone was doing their best to act cool and together. We chatted and laughed, but all just wanted to get it done and over with. One by one the trucks departed for the test area. I was selected to go first for team 2, and therefore was chosen to drive the truck, we were to test in, to the test site.
The Instructor for my test had one straight ten truck driver before me. We all watched as this Student (second attempt at the NYS road test) completed his pre-trip inspection. Then he did his 50-foot brake test and headed for the first turn. As he disappeared, we all continued to "mill about smartly". We were all amazed to turn and see this first Student returning to the starting position just a few minutes after he left. We later learned he had driven over a curb.
I was told to head over to the truck and get ready. I completed my pre-trip with no issues. I signed my test document and completed my in-cab inspection. I completed my brake test and we were off. I completed the city part with no problems. We headed off to the highway and again, no problems. On the way back we pulled off the highway and approached a two lane stop. I was told to make a left so I got into the left lane. (the beginning of the end) The right lane of the two lane stop was marked for both left and right turns. (I was in the wrong lane for the left turn, and the Instructor made sure I knew it.) I knew I was done as she started writing on the paper. Shortly after I brushed a curb with the trailer, and again more writing. We returned to the start point without doing the parallel park or straight line back. Crud, I knew I would have to do this again.
Later that day, I received a call from a Team member. He said that two other Team members had also failed. The good news is that the one guy that struggled in the yard actually was the one from our Team to pass. YEA!!!
I was really bummed, but I know what I did wrong and will do better next time. I now have two weeks off, due to NYS scheduling. NTTS has provided me with an additional two road rides, and will allow me to stay at the apartment. My new test date is July 2nd.
Bye for now!!!
Don
The Instructor for my test had one straight ten truck driver before me. We all watched as this Student (second attempt at the NYS road test) completed his pre-trip inspection. Then he did his 50-foot brake test and headed for the first turn. As he disappeared, we all continued to "mill about smartly". We were all amazed to turn and see this first Student returning to the starting position just a few minutes after he left. We later learned he had driven over a curb.
I was told to head over to the truck and get ready. I completed my pre-trip with no issues. I signed my test document and completed my in-cab inspection. I completed my brake test and we were off. I completed the city part with no problems. We headed off to the highway and again, no problems. On the way back we pulled off the highway and approached a two lane stop. I was told to make a left so I got into the left lane. (the beginning of the end) The right lane of the two lane stop was marked for both left and right turns. (I was in the wrong lane for the left turn, and the Instructor made sure I knew it.) I knew I was done as she started writing on the paper. Shortly after I brushed a curb with the trailer, and again more writing. We returned to the start point without doing the parallel park or straight line back. Crud, I knew I would have to do this again.
Later that day, I received a call from a Team member. He said that two other Team members had also failed. The good news is that the one guy that struggled in the yard actually was the one from our Team to pass. YEA!!!
I was really bummed, but I know what I did wrong and will do better next time. I now have two weeks off, due to NYS scheduling. NTTS has provided me with an additional two road rides, and will allow me to stay at the apartment. My new test date is July 2nd.
Bye for now!!!
Don
Graduation Day
Today we arrived at school at 10:45 am as usual. At roll-call each member of my team was assigned a 30-minute road ride. And yes, once again, I got to go out with my old buddy, the Lead Instructor. A thirty minute ride goes pretty fast. All we did was go down to an Industrial Park and do a parallel park and straight line back. My first attempt was less than satisfactory, but my second was right on the money. After that, we drove back to the school so the rest of the Team could have their ride.
At 11:30 members of Team one and Team two piled into the classroom for graduation. We had pizza and soda and received our certificates. None of the guys brought their significant others. We all left after graduation, and were given instructions for tomorrows NYS road test.
See you tomorrow,
Regards,
Don
At 11:30 members of Team one and Team two piled into the classroom for graduation. We had pizza and soda and received our certificates. None of the guys brought their significant others. We all left after graduation, and were given instructions for tomorrows NYS road test.
See you tomorrow,
Regards,
Don
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
