Trucker Warren, From The Begining

Hello and thank you to those of you that put your life on the line to ensure our freedom. Not just to those overseas but to those here at home. To those hero’s that risk their life to save others. To all the military, law enforcement, fire fighters, paramedics, and everyday people that just happen to be at the right place at the right time and risk your lives to save others, to all these people I say THANK YOU.
Yesterday we were still practicing backing. We learned to "Alley Doc" which is a means to back a trailer into a slot where you do not have a straight shot. Then we practiced the "Parallel Park". This is kind of like parallel parking a car but much more difficult. Also we practiced making right turns.
As promised, here a few more pictures.


View of the back of the yard. There is a lot of space here.


Here are some of the trucks we train in.

Category: General

Hi all. What a great day. Today we went thru pre-trip inspections and then we got to back the trucks. Back and forth, back and forth, 4 hours of back and forth. I must say it was fun though. I took some pictures today so you can see what the yard and the trucks look like.


This is me backing one of the trucks


This is me backing also


This is part of the yard and some of my classmates

There are more pictures but I can only upload 3 at a time and only 20 total. Maybe TruckFLIX will allot me more space?

Category: General

Today we studied Pre-Trip inspections and road safety. They showed us lots of safety videos concerning different components of safe driving practices. We covered backing, turning, speed, accident avoidance, and rollovers. They showed videos of a bunch of truck crashes where the trucks were rolled over on their sides. I never realized how easy these things can tip over. You have to go ½ the posted speed on a curve or off ramp to do it safely. Also we talked about skidding and sliding and how to handle those types of situations. Of course the safest thing is to give your self lots of room and slow down. Plan your trips so you have time and run ahead when possible. Stick to you trip plan and don’t fall behind or you will find yourself trying to catch up and that’s when they say it happens.
CR England, according to the school, plans the trip at an average of 39mph. We will be going faster then that, but it gives us time to take our rest and fuel stops, and periodic stops to check the equipment. We covered a bit more then I expected we would in one day. It is definitely fast paced. Saturday we will be in the trucks at the yard learning how to back up the trailer. I am excited to try this as I have always prided myself in backing trailers (of the ball and hitch type with Pick Ups). I know it’s different, but the concept is the same so I won’t have to figure out which way to steer like most of these guys will have to.

Just a reminder, feel free to make comments or ask questions either here on this site or email me at:
warrentrucker@yahoo.com

Category: General

Yahoo, I passed my CDL written exams today (Commercial Drivers License for those that don’t know). That means I have a permit to drive and can begin training in the truck. I missed 1 question on the general knowledge section and aced the combo vehicle test, airbrake test, and 18 question renewal test for my regular license. I think that Saturday and Sunday we will be getting to know the trucks and practice backing (according to my schedule). The next 2 days will be in the classroom. There was a lot of relief for most of us that passed our tests. There were a few that didn’t but they will get another chance.

Okay, I have a few gripes, it seems a little disorganized here sometimes. Yesterday, when they were talking about how we were going to get to the DMV, they were acting like it was the first time they had ever done this. You would think they would have all the transportation details figured out. One of the other students had to sign for a company van and since I know the area, he and I went back and forth to the DMV today. We also took people to Wal-Mart and Stater Bros to do some shopping. Also, the night I arrived there were no instructions for me (or anyone else) to know the schedule for the bus and school. The other thing I noticed was that everybody seems to have been told different things by their recruiters. Well, in a perfect world I guess none of this would matter.

Over all however, I would have to give the school about an 8.5 out of 10 so far. In all the chaos you still manage to navigate thru it all. I think a lot of it is being able to think for your self, use common sense, listen carefully, and follow directions. If you can’t do that then you have no business in a truck in the first place!!! There was one guy that was so lost in the paperwork and unable to grasp it, that I thought, “My god, how is he ever going to get the freight where it needs to go” He was trying so hard but some people just aren’t meant for certain things. But I have to give him credit for trying. You never get anywhere until you try.

Category: General

Today was mostly studying for the DMV exam tomorrow. We will be taking our permit exams for CDL with airbrakes. Hopefully everything will go smoothly. My roommate never showed up so they switched me to a different room when we got back to the hotel tonight, bummer. Well, that’s it for now.

Category: General

I entitled this segment “Dis-orientation” because that’s what today was all about. I thought joining the Army was a lot of paperwork; Uncle Sam has nothing on CR England. There were a least 50 documents to fill out and sign. And just when you thought it was over, they brought out more. Drug tests, physicals, integrity tests, and eye tests were given throughout the 9 hour paperwork nightmare.
I hardly slept last night and had to get up at 4am. I set my phone alarm, my alarm clock and asked for a wakeup call. But none of that was necessary as I woke up about every half hour.
4:30am I had my first cup of coffee down and came back to my room to clean up.
5:15am Down stairs to wait for the bus,
5:30am Board bus and head out to training.
6:15am Arrive at training location for brief orientation before paperwork mayhem.
3:15pm Board bus and come back to hotel

Well, I'm going to go hit the jacuzzi (sure glad my wife suggested I bring swim trunks, thanks Hun). One thing is for sure, I won’t have any problems sleeping tonight.

P.S. My roommate is still A.W.O.L. maybe I'll get to keep the room to myself. I am saying nothing to anyone here!!!!

Category: Trucking School

Ok, So I checked into my room today. The hotel room is nothing to write home about, but is livable just the same.

I have a roommate whom I have not met yet. There is a small refrigerator so I went out and bought some food to last for a few days. They told me at check-in that we had to meet up front at 5:15am, WHAT? Is this boot camp? Well, I made it thru boot camp before so this shouldn't be too bad.
Here is a picture of me at my laptop in the room.


Okay, from here on out you will need to click on the link to the right that says "Trucking School" as that is where I will be posting my blogs thru school.
That's it for now. Any comments or suggestions can be made on this site or by email:
warrentrucker@yahoo.com

Category: General

Yesterday I had my tooth pulled. It was a pleasant experience all things considered. I felt nothing as I was asleep. The funny thing was I didn't even know I was sleeping. I was having a conversation with the staff and then they said it was time to go to recovery. I said "aren't you going to pull the tooth" and they said it was already done. WOW, I was so stressed about it and it was that easy. My mouth is a little sore today but it's no big deal.
Tomorrow I head over to the hotel for CR England. I am looking forward to this. My wife cried last night, she is going to miss me and I her. It is going to be a long haul thru training but things will be better after that. Tomorrow I will update you on the accommodations at the hotel. Monday training starts.

Category: General

So I went to the dentist today because I have a tooth that has been bugging me. I figured I better get it taken care of before I leave. Tomorrow they are going to have to pull the tooth, OUCH! I hate going to the dentist, but better now then later out on the road. That's it for now.

Category: General

Here is some information for you. No sure if it matters but thought I'd put it up here anyway. This is a list of things that they said to bring with me on Sunday:
1. Enough money to live on for 3-4 weeks.
2. Money for my permits $65.00 (Driving Permits, HazMat).
3. Administrative Fees, $50.00 (For the tuition processing).
4. Physical, $35.00 (They will deduct from your paycheck if needed).
5. Social Security Card.
6. Voided Check (for direct deposit if you choose).
7. Bedding for a twin bed or sleeping bag (for the truck).
8. Enough Clothing to last a week.
9. Toiletries (tooth brush, soap, Ect. Ect.)
10. Lock (they will supply a locker while in class for 18 days)
11. Pens, Paper, Calculator, Notebook

Once again, if you have any comments or questions,
Email me at: warrentrucker@yahoo.com or comment here on this site below.

Category: General