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.