Today I drove a straight ten speed truck for the first time. Once again, I handled the truck well, but shifting was very interesting. Driving the straight ten truck requires much more shifting. Shifting all gears in order, instead of skipping gears, requires a different thought process. I was actually starting to get it towards the end of the ride. All in all, it was a good time driving the straight ten truck.
After the ride it was time for lunch. After lunch we were back in the yard practicing the various backing maneuvers. It would be nice if we could learn some of the other maneuvers, but alas it is not to be. Two more weeks till graduation and NYS road test.
So, that's about it for today.
Have a nice evening,
Don
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Week Eight - Wednesday
OK, so for clarification, the last blog was actually from Tuesday. Monday was a Holiday and the school was closed.
As for today, it was pretty much another normal day. We drove forwards and then backed up over and over and over again. ALL DAY LONG!!!
Tomorrow, yes, we will do the same thing. I am truly great full that I did not sign up for the 18 week session. I think 7 weeks would have more than been adequate for this program. I should have a road ride tomorrow. I am hopeful my shifting will be better.
Have a great night,
Regards,
Don
As for today, it was pretty much another normal day. We drove forwards and then backed up over and over and over again. ALL DAY LONG!!!
Tomorrow, yes, we will do the same thing. I am truly great full that I did not sign up for the 18 week session. I think 7 weeks would have more than been adequate for this program. I should have a road ride tomorrow. I am hopeful my shifting will be better.
Have a great night,
Regards,
Don
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Week Eight - Monday
Good evening,
Monday was a Holiday, so today, Tuesday, was our first day back this week. I arrived at school at 10:30, as scheduled. I had a road-ride first thing. I got to go out with a great Instructor. The ride went well, I am still having issues with grabbing a gear properly on the downshift. My city driving and highway driving is really good.
When I returned, I did a pretrip inspection and a drop and hook. Then I moved over to the everything truck. On this truck, I can do a c-side and blind side backup, as well as an off-set backup.
After lunch, Our Team worked on parallel parking. We did this till 4:45, when we left for the day. I can't believe we are in our 8th week already. Time is just flying by. I need to make up some flash cards to learn my speed and tachometer vs gears.
It's the same old thing for me, I have got to get my shifting down in order to make a clean sweep of my remaining tests.
Have a great evening,
Regards,
Don
Monday was a Holiday, so today, Tuesday, was our first day back this week. I arrived at school at 10:30, as scheduled. I had a road-ride first thing. I got to go out with a great Instructor. The ride went well, I am still having issues with grabbing a gear properly on the downshift. My city driving and highway driving is really good.
When I returned, I did a pretrip inspection and a drop and hook. Then I moved over to the everything truck. On this truck, I can do a c-side and blind side backup, as well as an off-set backup.
After lunch, Our Team worked on parallel parking. We did this till 4:45, when we left for the day. I can't believe we are in our 8th week already. Time is just flying by. I need to make up some flash cards to learn my speed and tachometer vs gears.
It's the same old thing for me, I have got to get my shifting down in order to make a clean sweep of my remaining tests.
Have a great evening,
Regards,
Don
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Week Seven - Thursday
Today was a very long day in the sun. The temp was up to 87 degF. We drank a ton of water, and did pretty much the same as yesterday. I did not have a ride today. Tomorrow we will be let loose early due to the upcoming Holiday.
Not much else to say about today.
Have a nice evening,
Don
Not much else to say about today.
Have a nice evening,
Don
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Week Seven - Wednesday
It's over-the-hump day !!! More of the same, backing maneuvers, Pre Trip Inspection, and drop and hook. I worked with another group of new students today. They seemed very receptive, if not overwhelmed.
Road ride #11 was today, I went out with the Boss, in a truck that well..., let's just say was a bit of a challenge. I did pretty good, considering, especially once I got a handle on the shifting pattern, the clutch plate, and the shift sticking. All other aspects of the drive were fine. On the return, the Instructor had me parallel park, I nailed it not once, but twice. All in all, a decent performance. I still need to focus on revving the engine on hills (both ways). I know that with more experience I will get better at this. Especially, when I will have more than an hour in the same truck. ;-)
So, at week 7.3, all is well and full speed ahead.
Have a nice evening,
Don
Road ride #11 was today, I went out with the Boss, in a truck that well..., let's just say was a bit of a challenge. I did pretty good, considering, especially once I got a handle on the shifting pattern, the clutch plate, and the shift sticking. All other aspects of the drive were fine. On the return, the Instructor had me parallel park, I nailed it not once, but twice. All in all, a decent performance. I still need to focus on revving the engine on hills (both ways). I know that with more experience I will get better at this. Especially, when I will have more than an hour in the same truck. ;-)
So, at week 7.3, all is well and full speed ahead.
Have a nice evening,
Don
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Week Seven - Tuesday
What a difference a day makes. Today I was on... The parallel parking was much better today. I had a road trip into the city, and it was great. Shifting was much better. My trip report was good across the board with the following statement in the comments section; "Good job around City turns".
I am feeling much better than yesterday. I want to summarize what we are up to:
Maneuvers:
1. Pre Trip Inspections
2. Drop & Hook
3. Straight Line Backing
4. See Side Backing
5. Blind Side Backing
6. Off Set Backing
7. Parallel Parking
City Driving
1. Close Intersection turns
2. Abrupt Stops
3. Anticipating city hazards
4. Hillside starts
5. Tight lanes/parked cars/unloading cars-trucks etc.
So, we have learned everything that we are supposed to in the 10-week program. We now face mastering and increasing our confidence in handling the trucks in various city and highway situations. In addition, we need to perfect our backing maneuvers. We have three more weeks till graduation. We should be in good shape by the second week of June when we have our School Final Road test. We must pass one of two school road tests to graduate from NTTS. Once we graduate we will then go to the Department of Motor Vehicles for our New York State road test.
Now, once I graduate from NTTS and pass my NYS road test, I will be off to Allentown, PA for my orientation with Werner Enterprises Trucking Co. My orientation will include another physical and drug test. Testing of my general Trucking knowledge including rules and regulations and log books. I will need to demonstrate knowledge of trip planning and using the Atlas. Then, I will have to pass trucking maneuvers, a pre trip test, and a Company sponsored road test. So, you would think after passing all of this, I would be good to go, but you would be wrong. Once I prove that I can in fact drive the truck, I will then be assigned to a trainer. I will move into the truck with the trainer, and we will head over the road for approximately 6 weeks. Then, based on the trainer's recommendation, I will be assigned a truck. I will be routed back near my home and get to take a few days off, before heading back over the road.
Take Care,
Don
I am feeling much better than yesterday. I want to summarize what we are up to:
Maneuvers:
1. Pre Trip Inspections
2. Drop & Hook
3. Straight Line Backing
4. See Side Backing
5. Blind Side Backing
6. Off Set Backing
7. Parallel Parking
City Driving
1. Close Intersection turns
2. Abrupt Stops
3. Anticipating city hazards
4. Hillside starts
5. Tight lanes/parked cars/unloading cars-trucks etc.
So, we have learned everything that we are supposed to in the 10-week program. We now face mastering and increasing our confidence in handling the trucks in various city and highway situations. In addition, we need to perfect our backing maneuvers. We have three more weeks till graduation. We should be in good shape by the second week of June when we have our School Final Road test. We must pass one of two school road tests to graduate from NTTS. Once we graduate we will then go to the Department of Motor Vehicles for our New York State road test.
Now, once I graduate from NTTS and pass my NYS road test, I will be off to Allentown, PA for my orientation with Werner Enterprises Trucking Co. My orientation will include another physical and drug test. Testing of my general Trucking knowledge including rules and regulations and log books. I will need to demonstrate knowledge of trip planning and using the Atlas. Then, I will have to pass trucking maneuvers, a pre trip test, and a Company sponsored road test. So, you would think after passing all of this, I would be good to go, but you would be wrong. Once I prove that I can in fact drive the truck, I will then be assigned to a trainer. I will move into the truck with the trainer, and we will head over the road for approximately 6 weeks. Then, based on the trainer's recommendation, I will be assigned a truck. I will be routed back near my home and get to take a few days off, before heading back over the road.
Take Care,
Don
Monday, May 18, 2009
Week Seven - Monday
So, another week is upon us. Today, we learned our final maneuver, The parallel park. We are struggling with this one, but we pretty much have everything else down. I had a road ride today, and forgot the time. The Instructor found me in a truck practicing parallel parking. Oh brother, not a good thing making the Instructor come looking for you. To make things worse, i miss-judged on coming traffic as I pulled the truck out of the school lot. GEESE !!!!
I am still having issues down shifting, especially on hills. Today we went into the city. I once again misjudged an approaching car as I made a left-hand turn. To say the least, I was glad when this ride was over. Bummer!!!
Here's hoping tomorrow goes better.
Good Night all...
Don
I am still having issues down shifting, especially on hills. Today we went into the city. I once again misjudged an approaching car as I made a left-hand turn. To say the least, I was glad when this ride was over. Bummer!!!
Here's hoping tomorrow goes better.
Good Night all...
Don
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