SCHOOLS IN SESSION!

[BrianM98]

I was looking for Nancy when I got back off my drive test to see how she did but she was gone. Then I didn't see her over at the DMV either and thought, "oh, no".

She'll get it knocked out tomorrow.

[benny the deuce]

today they took us out and showed us some new stuff since we are now "real truck drivers"...
They showed us how to "float" gears....geez what a great way to shift!
Had just about enough of that clutch stuff!

Also...of course my shifting was great unlike during the test!

Two of our fellow classmates got jobs today..that was pretty cool!
Once the wife does her backing test (and she will do great!) we will take our paperwork to our pre-hire place and set up the start of our training over there.

Was real different to go out and drive today after passing the cdl test, with the exception of the usual traffic crap, it was actually fun!

Tomorrow we take our graduation run, it is about 200 miles and goes through some pretty nice country to the south of us.

I cannot believe how much we have learned in just 4 weeks (trust me I know we have a lot more to learn!).

[yoopr]

Congratulations

[OntheRoad2]

congrats on your experience.and learning so well..I have been in school about 2 months..from being in the retail world...this is so much different.. i have so much respect for drivers now......I do have all my endorsements..Good luck to you both.

[Jbroad572]

Congrats.... I take my cdl test tomorrow morning. Got to be there at 5:30AM to warm up and testing starts at 7AM. Hope mine goes smooth as butter and I can be an "official" truck driver like you and your wife.

[benny the deuce]

Just got back from our 200 mile graduation trip!
(oh, and yep she passed the back-up test just fine!)

Still have a ton to learn, but we still relish in our new skill set!
The number one thing I gained from this school is to see just how bad people drive... I cannot believe what I have seen so far, and I am sure it is nothing!

My wife has also gained a huge new level of self confidence that will stay with for the rest of her life!

Both of us would like to thank everyone here that have posted comments and the many private messages we have received....they have meant a lot to us.

We have some pictures coming, but since we forgot to bring the digital camera, we have get them developed and scanned first.

When we got home from our graduation, the company we applied with left us a message..."our records show that you graduated today..see you monday!"....that was great!!

I have to close this post with a small plug for our school...it was tough and demanding, but they really helped us when we needed it!

Commercial Drivers Services
Lakewood Wa
1-888-558-7120

I am going to try and do a log as we go through our initial training with our new company.

Our hope with all of this is that people considering this job can have a bit more in-depth view of what to expect from school and the first few weeks on the road.

THANK-YOU ALL AGAIN FOR THE SUPPORT!

[benny the deuce]

Started our week out great... got the phone call, we go to oreintation this monday.......

now the real training begins!!

[benny the deuce]

well its finally here!, we go to orientation in the morning. Then we drive around locally for 3-4 days to get use to the longer trailers (53's)..then off to our 4 weeks otr training.
The great thing is that during our otr training we are dispatched as a solo, we stop every night and the trainer gets a motel room and we sleep in the truck. So instead of being ran into the ground we get some real good training! ( the trainer gets a weekly salary AND A bonus when we pass the final test...great way to train!)..
Looking forward to the extra training, but I have to admit we are both anxious to have our first load on our own....
look out America...here we come!! :)

[benny the deuce]

well we just finished our local training and have been signed off for otr training.
We will be leaving in the next few days. Can't wait..we are both really excited to be going out on the road!

really learned some neat "tricks" during our local training!

Found a new love..... automatic transmissions!.. once you learn how to REALLY use them..they are great! Just as much control as a manual without the shifting stuff!

[Deus]

well we just finished our local training and have been signed off for otr training.
We will be leaving in the next few days. Can't wait..we are both really excited to be going out on the road!

really learned some neat "tricks" during our local training!

Found a new love..... automatic transmissions!.. once you learn how to REALLY use them..they are great! Just as much control as a manual without the shifting stuff!

None for me thanks! Sides what's shifting? Just have to move your hand. I've never driven an automatic, don't you have to move the selector anyway? I'd rather drive a manual.