Week Four - Thursday

Today was a busy day, I went on another road trip (#3) this morning. I drove a construction style low-boy trailer towed by a super-10 tractor today. The Instructor was a peddle to the metal trucker. We followed all speed signs, but some of the back roads do not have speed signs, so 55mph was the speed we drove at. The Instructor was great at assisting me with my timing, shifting, and taking turns at intersections. Today, I had a great ride.
After my ride, I had classroom lab time. We discussed driver and load safety, as well as the Commercial Driving industry as a whole. After lunch, our team was back out on the yard practicing C-side backing. After considerable trying, the light bulb clicked on and I got it. There are now 2 of 4 drivers on our team that have conquered the C-side backing. One other is close, and unfortunately, one team member is still struggling. Tomorrow is Friday, I have had a full week, and am glad to be going home.

Best Regards,
Don

Week Four - Wednesday

Aloha !!!

It was a very good day !!! Today I drove the back roads of Syracuse, NY. My Instructor was simply amazing. His voice and laid-back mannerism was just what I needed, to settle myself enough to focus on all the things truck drivers do while trucking on down the road. Class 4-6 (10-weekers) This is how the team I am on is referred to. Anyway, our class worked on a new maneuver today. It is called a C-Side backing. This is back from a C-shaped tractor trailer configuration. By the end of the day, most of the Team had this pretty much under control.

Tomorrow will be more of the same. practice, practice, practice. :-)

Best Regards,

Don

Week Four - Tuesday

Mark this day, The day I drove an 18 wheeler on public roads and highways. Had that puppy up to 65 Mph. Shifting was not exactly my forte, But I did very well on keeping the truck in the lane and turning. I did stall the truck one time, while starting up when the light turned green. But all in all, not too bad for my first run. I got another ride tomorrow morning first thing. I did more training today on drop and hook, Pre trip inspections, and straight line backing. It rained most of the time I was on the lot today. but my rain coat and new water proof boots kept me dry. I Have decided to continue coming in at 8:00 am and staying until 6:00 PM. This affords me more time to practice, time that I intend to use to the best of my ability.

Well, that is it for today,

Best Regards,
Don

Week Four - Monday

Today was a MOST EXCELLENT DAY !!!!

A new class of Newbies has taken over Classroom C. (The Cave) Today, I was supposed to arrive at 10:30, but I still went in at 8:00. We were done at 4:45 PM, but I stayed along with my team till 6:00 PM. Just for clarity, I call us my team because today we were out on the yard working with the truck, and we missed roll call. We walked back inside and talked to the Instructor. He looked right at me and said "Dohr, I am holding you personally responsible for these guys missing roll call" I smiled at him, and said "no problem, I came in early today, and plan to stay late, all week. I was serious too, I want to take full advantage of driving the trucks over the next seven weeks.

We went back on the field and met up with out Trainer. We spent the rest of the day doing "Straight Line Backing" This is just what it says, backing up the truck keeping the 50' trailer and the Tractor in a straight line while backing into a box. The box represents a loading dock. There were three sets of cones set up for us to pull up too. The first set of cones were like 50 yds out, the next were at 75 yds and the last set were at 100 yds. The Trainer said just go to the first cones. We all were able to do it fine, so we asked to move to the second set. Most of us hit that one too. On my next turn I went for the third set of cones and nailed that too. Then another Team member went for number 3 and he got it too. We were having a great time. Driving is alot of fun. But I can see how how easy it is to loose control of the trailer backing up. We only run in low reverse and first gear forward. We are not allowed to touch the accellorator when working on the yard. Good thing, controlling the trailer at this speed backing up is pretty tough.
We were all have a great time driving the truck, so much that when knock-off came we asked if we could stay till 6:00 PM and keep driving the truck. The Trainer said go for it. Around 5:30 PM he came over and collected the Team to have us watch how the trucks get moved into position at the end of the day. He said we could assist with moving the trucks if we wanted to stay each day. SWEET !!! :-)

Today was a really good day. Hot, Sweaty, but really good :-)

Tomorrow we continue with our Pretrip inspections, Drop and Hook Proceedures, Inline backing, and we will learn C-Side Backing.

Have great night.
Don

Week Three - Friday

What a week, I am so glad to be back home again. Truly looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.

Today was a busy day. Here is how I did on the battery of exams I completed today. Three 100%, One 95%, One 85%, and One 80%. My Phase I average is 94% :-)

This afternoon we 7 & 10 week-ers were back on the simulator. I did a bit better than yesterday, and that is encouraging, but I will need to work on my rhythm over the weekend. So, next week I move to the field assigned to Team 1, the Super 10 Team. I think I have my first road trip also. Then we begin working on our PreTrip Inspections, Straight Ling & Drivers Side Backing Maneuvers.

Well, that's it for today, I am now going to go and relax.

Take Care,
Don

Week Three - Thursday

Today was much more active than yesterday. Today I learned what Team I am on, and even had my first and second go at the truck simulator.

I have been assigned to the Super-10 Team (refers to the type of transmission I will be learning on) and testing on. I will be working with John, the same Instructor I had for weeks one and two. A really great Instructor. It was very obvious to all present that I was new to double clutching. As a matter of fact to clutching at all. I guess, all I can say is, it's all uphill from here. I took the third of three drop and hook tests today, and got a 100%. For the three tests (30, 100, 100) I get to drop one grade (30) so I aced this part. :-) OH YEA!!! LOL

This is where I stand so far:

A. Perfect Attendance

T1. 100
T2. 100
T3. 95
T4. 100
T5. 90
T6. 90
T7. 100
T8. 100
T9. 88

This gives me a 96% to date

Tomorrow we will Do the following tests:

1. Vehicle Orientation
2. DOT 390 -393
3. DOT 395
4. DOT 396 - 397
5. Final DOT EXAM

See you tomorrow,

Don

Week Three - Wednesday

Good evening all. Let me start by saying I tested for coils and tow truck at lunch today. I passed tow truck, adding that endorsement to my CDL permit, but need to work a bit more on the coils endorsement. I missed 6, max you can miss is 4. Ok well, this weekend I have something to do. I have plenty of time, 7 more weeks to pass my coils test. On a good note, it only costs $5.oo till I pass, then another $15.oo to get a new permit printed.

Today we spent the day working on our defensive driving course. Although it is important stuff, which may save our lives one day, it really was a long day in the classroom. I am glad to be back at the apartment.

Tomorrow, we are supposed to learn which field team we will be assigned to. This is the team that we will be working with through the next phase of our training. I am already looking forward to the weekend and sleeping in my own bed.

Best Regards,
Don

Week Three - Tuesday

The day from Hell !!!! OMG I was board to tears today. Practically the entire 8-hrs was spent going over material in the DOT safety book. The Instructor read the book to us. Really, it would have been better if he just asked us to review specific chapters in the evening. Or even simply highlighted the important sections and asked us to review them ourselves.\
The high point of the day came after lunch when we were given our second of three drop and hook tests. I got 100% this time. Making flash cards with the step number on one side and the actual step on the other really made the difference for me. To learn, I arranged the cards out of order, with the number side down and the step side up. Then as quickly as possible I put the cards in order. I completed the test today in less than 3 minutes.

After lunch some of us climbed inside a couple of parked trucks. We were amazed at how much room was in the sleeper section. In one of them, I stood on the bunk, and still had 5 inches above me. (I am 6'3" tall) We learned that if we want the goodies in our Truck, that we need to purchase them. The sleepers are pretty bare. Spacious, but bare.

Tomorrow, we will be covering more on defensive driving. As for me, tonight I will be studying for my coils and tow truck endorsements. I will be going over to the DMV during lunch and taking the tests.

Have a good evening,

Don

Week Three - Monday

So, week three is here. I can't believe how fast the first two weeks passed. I have already learned so much, my head is spinning. I still need to get down to the DMV and retake the CDL endorsement tests for coils, and Tow Trucks. Not because I need them, but because I set a personal goal to do my very best, and I know I can pass these. In addition, having all my endorsements will make a statement to perspective employers.

Good News !!! I received a pre-hire notice from Werner Enterprises. The only downside to this, is the fact that there is only one recruiter, and she is so busy, you cannot get her on the phone to speak with her.

As for what happened in school today; We have a new Instructor "Big John". Today we spent the day doing more review on the safety manual. It was very boring and dry material. But, important that we know it, and where to find it if needed in the future.

Today, I continued to work my flash cards on the Drop and Hook procedures. I am happy to say I got all 16 steps perfect 4 times today. We have two more tests on this process alone, and I am confident I will get 100 % on both.

That's all for today,
Take it easy,
Don

Week two - Friday

Wow !!! I can't believe another week is done. Only eight more weeks to be able to pass the NYS CDL - A Road Test. I really get uneasy each time I hear about another student failing their Road Test due to something dumb, like hitting the curb.
You see, depending on the length of course you select, you can take up to three practice road tests at NTTS before you take the NYS road test. I don't know, I guess anything can happen, it just gives me an uneasy feeling. I hope I do relatively as well on Road test as I did on the permit tests. You see I was the only one in a class of 21 to take all the exams, and I believe the only one to pass 8 test in one setting. I will retest soon on coils and tow trucks to make it a clean sweep of all CDL -A endorsements.
Ok enough about me. Here is what we worked on today:

1. Continued to review shifting patterns and gear to speed ratios.
2. Down shifting process going up and down hill
3. We visited the Tractor Simulator and our Instructor demonstrated shifting and driving.
4. The Werner Rep stopped by and gave us his shpeeel about driving for Werner.
5. The 5-weekers were split off from our class this afternoon and began working on the
simulator.
6. Those of us remaining, began working on trip planning and using the Rand McNally
Road Atlas.
7. We continued working on our log books.

And that concluded week two at NTTS Liverpool, NY

Home Work:
1. I need to add work to my log book on Sat & Sun
2. I need to memorize the Drop-N-Hook Steps for a test on Monday (I need an
Ace).
3. I need to memorize the gear to speed ratio for a standard 10 speed shifter.

PS: Next week we will be assigned a new instructor. We all really liked working with John. He was an amazing Instructor who worked hard to make us all feel welcome.

Have a great weekend, and see you on Monday evening

Week Two - Thursday

Today we had a fun time busting on our instructor and fellow classmates. We are really starting to get to know each other better. We did some more work on log books. We also worked on the "drop and hook" process. We went out on the lot to see one of the senior students actually perform the steps. He made it look easy. :-)
Then we went back in and took a test on the 18 steps. Suffice to say I did pretty lousy as did most of our class. I studied with a classmate this evening so I think I will do better next time. On this test, our two best grades of three attempts will be recorded. This afternoon, we discussed the various backing maneuvers, straight line, see-side, off-set, blind side backing, and parallel parking. Next we a visit from the Swift Company recruiter. The last thing we worked on was the various shifting patterns for the 9 speed, 10 speed, and super 10 speed shifts. NTTS has each of these style trucks.

One more day and two weeks of my 10 week course will be completed. Time is sure going fast!!!
Good Night, see you tomorrow.

Don

Week Two - Day Three

Today was a long day. I learned that a few students in my class didn't get their CDL A permits, bummer. I am glad to have this test behind me. This evening, I will study the coils and tow-truck endorsements, so tomorrow I can take and pass the tests tomorrow.
Today we started out by studying the Safety book regarding driving requirements. This was very long and dry material. After lunch we started working on log book entries. After a couple run-throughs, we were each given our own log books. We then started putting together trips and working out how we would complete and log the trip. It was starting to be fun towards the end when I actually understood what was going on. We will now have to log every day of class in our logbooks.
So, that was it for today,
Take care till tomorrow !!!

Week Two - Tuesday

Today was the big day. I passed the DOT physical with flying colors, breezed through the Drug Screening, and then departed for the DMV to take my permit tests. I decided to take all the CDL endorsements (10 separate tests). It took me 90 minutes to complete the tests. Grrrrrrrrrrrr almost a clean sweep! When all was said and done, here is what I passed and now have endorsements for:

1. CDL General Knowledge
2. Air Brakes
3. Double and Tripple Trailers
4. Hazardous Materials
5. Tankers
6. Passengers
7. School Busses

After the tests at the DMV, we all had the rest of the day off. Time to kick back in the apartment and relax. Tomorrow we beging studying the DOT Safety Manual. So, onward and upward.

Take it easy till tomorrow.

Don

Week Two - Monday

This morning we took the "Combo" test. I did ok, missed two questions. We then moved into the Hazardous Material section. This is without a doubt the dryest section since starting school. We discussed our schedule for tomorrow; Drug Screening, DOT Physical, and then we can leave to go take our CDL Permit test at which ever DMV we want. Pass or Fail, we are to report back to school on Wednesday. In the past, per our Instructor, some folks have not returned to school till they passed their permit test. All missed time needs to be made up, including missed tests.
We spent the afternoon continuing to go through HazMat rules and responsibillities...again extremely dry stuff. We are not required to take the HazMat endorsement, but for those that want to, this time was well spent. I did really bad on the practice test, missing six of 35. I passed, but barely.
After school, I sought out the public library and studied the HazMat materials for awhile. I feel more confident now. Making up little gimics to remember facts is very helpful to me. While at the library, I realized that I may have left some papers at home, that I needed for tomorrow. I went to my apartment, but they were not there. So, I made an unexpected trip home, and here I am now. I will drive back to school in the morning.
I look forward to reporting my test results in my next blog.

Take care till then...

Week Two - Sunday

Hello, I hope everyone had a great Easter Sunday. I celebrated with most of my family and had a wonderful day. Sunday evening, I drove back to my apartment near school. I cut some plywood to put under my mattress. The steel-framed bed was so bad, I was putting it on the floor each night. Well tomorrow starts another week.

Week One Day Five

Hello all, I had a bit of an accident with my Son's laptop. I spilt water on the keyboard, and well that was it for that. Back home now, I once again have access to my BLOG.

It has been a week of cramming as much information as possible about Tractors, and Trailers. The various systems; air and hydraulic systems, and the electrical systems. Pre, during, and post inspections. How to handle your truck at different types of intersections, making right and left hand turns. Picking up and dropping trailers. How to test the various braking systems.
We completed 4 general knowledge tests
a cargo test
a air brake test

On Monday, we will take the Combination Test
Tuesday, we take the drug screening and DOT Physical. Then take the CDL Permit
test.

My next update will be on Monday evening.

Week One - Day One

Well it was a long night with my roommate hiccupping and snoring, not to mention that the bed was the most uncomfortable mattress I have ever slept on. Thank God for ear plugs.
Class started promptly at 8:00am. We received our books:

1. J.J. Keller's Tractor-Trailer Driver Training Manual
2. New York State Commercial Driver's manual
3. Federal Motor Carrier SAFETY Regulations (pocketbook)
4. Rand McNally Motor Carriers Road Atlas

We began our school orientation and Students were randomly pulled out to complete finacial and other administrative business.

1. Training began with a thorough review of chapter one in the NYS CDL Manual. This was a general overview of the requirements. We stayed with this till we broke for lunch.
2. After lunch, we moved to chapter two of JJ Keller's Training Manual.

• Chapter two included: Introduction, Engine Controls, Primary Vehicle Controls, Secondary Vehicle Controls, and Vehicle Instruments.
• Chapter three included: Identification of the key parts of a tractor-trailer, How the key parts of a tractor-trailer function.
• How the key parts function together in vehicle operation.

Once we finished chapter two, we switched back to the NYS CDL Manual, Chapter two.

• Chapter Two is on Driving SAFELY.

1. Seven Step Vehicle Inspections (Pre-Trip, During a Trip, & After Trip Inspection and Report.

Well it is now 6:00pm and our first day is done. My head is spinning, time for dinner. After dinner a bit of review.

Well, that was it for our first day.

Best Regards,

Don

Arrival at School

I have arrived. Today, a little after 2:00pm I pulled into the National Tractor Trailer School parking lot. I met with the director of housing, signed some papers, and followed him to my apartment. Home away from home.
The apartment is very nice. I am in a 3 bedroom apartment about 15 minutes from school. I found the nearest McDonalds for a late lunch, and did some shopping for food for the week. It is now 6:00 pm and still, none of my roommates have arrived. Well, I will just kick back and enjoy a quiet evening.
Check back tomorrow for the next update.

So, Tomorrow it begins

Well, tomorrow at this time, I will be checked into my new apartment. I have my things packed, and car ready for my trip to Liverpool, NY. I must admit, Along with my excitement, I have some serious butterflies.
I will be glad to get there and checked in. I am a bit anxious about my roommates. It will be good to finally be doing something productive. Five months on unemployment has really had its tole on me. It's not that I am ungrateful for receiving unemployment, its just not being able to find a job.
So tomorrow, a new day begins. I look forward to this new chapter in my life.

My very best regards.