Wannabe is getting Trained!!

Posted on Wed, Dec 13 2006 @ 7:39 PM [EST]

Good evening everbody. Damn, I cannot believe how the time has passed and how long it has been since I have last written. Thanks to everyone for their advice that I had asked for not so long ago. I appreciate the insight that experinced drivers have and have shared with me. I have recently started my CDL training at CDTC here in Indy. I am really enjoying the training, instructors, and studying like crazy. I have been in class now for three days and have gotten a lot of book work done and studied the pretrip inspection and 4 point brake inspection. I was also glad that my mechanical skills have come into play with the pretrip, naming and identifing parts. Some others in the class are really struggling to get the name of the parts down and thier location. Today we started the backing practice. We were introduced to the staight line backing and the dock backing. I had a little trouble with the dock backing, but I seemed to get the hang of it right at the end of the day. Tomorrow will be the parallel park and the serpentine. Looking forward to getting lots of practice. I have also passed the three pre tests and have had my DOT physical. Now it is just a matter of getting my permit in hand. I will write more later and keep you all updated on my training.

Category Posted: General

Comments

With backing grab the top of your steering wheel, thats the front of your trailer...Now grab the bottom of the steering wheel thats the rear of the trailer. Now when backing put a little bit of a turn and work it. If you put to much of a cut into it your out of control and you'll jacknife it. Remember it isn't a car a trailer reacts much more slowly. Practice, practice, practice and then practice some more every chance you get because in the real trucking world you'll have to dock in some real tight spots....VM-out!

Comment By:
VM on Thu, Dec 14 2006 @ 9:32 AM [EST]

Yeah you are right. I had very little trouble negotiating the serpentine this afternoon. There is a storage facility in the same building in which I am taking the course. I was able to watch a driver do a dock backing manuver. He took 7 or 8 stabs at it to get it just right. It is a tight area but patience and persistance won out. I do like the idea of the top and bottom of the steering wheel representing the front and rear of the trailor. I will definately try to use this tecnique when practicing. I just want to do the best I can for the skills test for the state and receive my license. In the real world I will be patient and not let others try to intimidate me. More later.

Comment By:
roadhard2003 on Thu, Dec 14 2006 @ 9:26 PM [EST]

Look I'm just trying to help you out. I wish I could train you myself its so hard to teach via the internet. Take my advice and practice every chance you get....VM-out!

Comment By:
VM on Fri, Dec 15 2006 @ 3:09 AM [EST]

Practice is one thing we can't stress enough. Once you think you've practiced enough, go out and do it again and again and.......! I've been at this for more yrs than I care to remember and still learning things and then work at perfecting it. Always listen to what people have to say and you may get ideas that will help you down the road. I can't count the number of times I heard something and use it to this day. Everybody has a little trick that works for them and may work for you too.

Comment By:
Roadhzrd on Sat, Dec 16 2006 @ 1:20 PM [EST]

Luckily I work with a lot of more experienced drivers than I who show me little tricks and I listen and try them out on my own. Some tricks require a lot of practice some don't but I at least give it more than one shot before making my decision of doing it my way or their way. VM-out!

Comment By:
VM on Sun, Dec 17 2006 @ 1:45 AM [EST]

Wow! This is great is better driver education than the school! lol... I am totally enjoying these posts being a student also that just started Dec. 6th 2006 up here in Canada. I'm due to graduate and be road tested Feb. 2nd 2007. VM ... great visual with the steering wheel it totally makes sense. Roadhard... keep posting! and good luck on the final whenever it is. JimsOpus

Comment By:
JimsOpus on Sat, Jan 20 2007 @ 5:36 PM [EST]

Sorry!...I forgot to add my link http://www.jimsopus.hwyblogs.com/

Comment By:
JimsOpus on Sat, Jan 20 2007 @ 5:39 PM [EST]

ok... leave the "www" out of the link

Comment By:
JimsOpus on Sat, Jan 20 2007 @ 5:42 PM [EST]

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