A refresher course is useful for some and may not be for others after having a 2+ year layoff from trucking. In fact I've just subscribed to this site to relay a recent experience I've had. I have been out of trucking since April 2008 (Millis Transfer) and applied at a smaller local company (20 tankers/Kenworth T800's) last Tuesday. I spoke with the owner and he said "let's go for a test drive". Needless to say, I was spittin' bricks and told him I'd probably be a little rusty. He said "Don't worry. I've been trucking all my life and you never forget it."
I got behind the wheel and dammit it was a 13 speed trans. I've done 10 speeds, T2's and T6's, but haven't touched a 13 speed since I got my CDL. It's got a twin splitter/double splitter, heck I'm not even sure what the SOB is called but it was freakin' me out. I quickly calmed myself down and tried to show the owner that I was comfortable in the rig.
I started the engine, threw her into second (has anyone ever used first gear?) and started to head out of the terminal. I figured I'd give it my best shot by progressive shifting (shift at 1100 rpms instead of 1700). It worked. Smooth as a baby's behind right up to the terminal exit. But my biggest concern was still in front of me on the road. Downshifting.
I pulled out on the road and headed into town. I wasn't nearly as smooth shifting on the road as I was in the terminal lot. Each gear engaged with a slight "kachunk". It wasn't bad although I'd have been embarrassed if I hadn't had such a long layoff.
The owner is sitting in the passenger seat and being very supportive. I momentarily ignore him and concentrate on downshifting as we reach town. 35 mph speed limit ahead. I hit the brakes and wait for my rpm's to slow down to 1100. I'm embarrassed that I actually have to look at the Tach and can't sense the engine via telepathy. I rev her up to 1700 and downshift perfectly. Total dumb luck.
I pulled up to the stop light ready to make a left hand turn. It's red and I'm waiting. Well, then some friggin' trucking dude stops a good 10 feet into the intersection and I've got to get around him. He should know better. I swing the tanker as wide as possible and clear the truck by two feet. It's been a long time since I've had to judge distance through a curved mirror.
We head through town and there are kids everywhere and one runs across the street in front of me. I remained calm and kept my eyes open for anything that moves.
After getting through town I made another left and headed back to the terminal. It was a narrow winding road but at that point I had regained my confidence. The owner was yawning and I told him that if my driving was boring him then that was a good thing. If he was white knuckled and excited I'd be concerned.
We then made a right hand turn into the terminal and I tried to downshift by skipping a gear and totally screwed up. The 13 speed had finally bitten me by the ... and I had no choice but to stop the truck completely and start over again in 2nd gear.
I pulled her into the lot and swung wide to get her into position to back her up into a narrow spot between two other trucks. I sorta got it OK but had to do a little blindsiding backing up because I had swung too wide. I also wasn't sure at first as to what I should be looking at when I was backing up a tanker (I always drove van). I soon realized I should concentrate on the fenders and managed to slide her into the spot. Not perfect, but kinda OK.
I was pleased with myself that I could somewhat drive truck after 2+ years on the scrap heap but I still apologized to the owner for my miscues and thanked him for the opportunity to drive again. He said I did great and that half the guys he's tested after a 2+ year layoff couldn't get the truck out of the parking lot. I was on cloud 9.
I think I've got the job (Will know on Monday) but I want to address the issue of refresher courses. I almost signed up for one but for me it would have been a waste of money. I'm rusty but after a few days out on the road I'm confident I'll be back in trucker shape. I think I'm lucky.
If you've been out of the business for a while and want to get back into it I'd suggest finding a small company or an O/O that'll let you have a test drive to see how much rust you've gotten. Trucking is the most underestimated job on the planet. 97% of the worlds population can't do it.
