So, today we continued our backing maneuvers. We continued our pre=trip inspections, and our drop & hooks. We only have one maneuver left to learn, and that is the parallel park. We are set to learn that one on Monday.
Yesterday we tested out of Phase two. We each had a road test that included a full pre-trip and an in-route straight line backing maneuver. Back in the yard we were each tested on our drop & hook, and our see-side backing maneuver. I thankfully Aced each test. The other Team members also did very well.
So, Monday we enter our final phase of testing, Phase Three. The Team has four weeks to master all maneuvers, including confidence in truck handling in city, country, and highway areas. This to include the identification of all hazards and proper truck handling in these situations. Though this may seem impossible, each of us will have over 20 1-hour, 1 on 1 road trips with various Instructors using various trucks and trailers. We will also have a 3-hour night ride.
To graduate from NTTS, we are required to pass 1 of 2 full road tests. These tests are much more dificult than the New York State CDL Road Test, but to quote our Instructor, "We are not here to teach you how to pass the road test, but how to be safe and make money in the trucking industry. PRETTY COOL HUH !!!! :-)
I just calculated my school average at the end of phase two. I have raised my phase I average of 94 to my phase II final average of 97. In addition, I not only have perfect attendance, but have banked approximately 40 extra hours of training. Calculating the total hours and total cost of my training program, the 40 extra hours means I have volunteered for and received an additional $889.00 worth of training, so far ;-)
Ok, well time for me to crash, enjoy your weekend.
Don
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