So today we went on a road trip.  Each driver drove about 130 Miles in an exagurated circle northeast to Tulsa, west, south and then back to Drumright.  We ate lunch at school and then driver two drove.

I drove first and the trip was pretty univentful.  I didn't run over any curbs while turning, but did go onto the grass in one turn.  My biggest problem is still lane centering and turning.  Mr. O also says that I have a tendency to move the wheel while I am shifting.  He said I should hold the wheel by the very bottom when shifting to avoid this.  I feel that I improved alot since friday and that this job is going to work, I can't wait to get to Joplin on friday and start orientation on Monday.

After the second driver completed there road trip, we uncoupled from the loaded trailers and coupled to empty ones.  Tomarrow we have to be at school at noon and stay till 10pm to do some night driving. 

We are going to spend all day preparing for our backing tests, 90 degree, straight back and the bullpen park (truckstop parking manuver).  These are all for our Central Tech average.  We are also going to be taking another graded solo road trip.  I am most worried about the 90 degree back.  I figure if I can do it with 4 pull ups or less I will get at least an 80 on the test and will fell some confidence doing it in the real world.

This is a big week but I am confident that I am going to do fine with everything.  Hopefully I can get to the computer on thursday to update again, but if I can't then I will try to update this once I arrive in Joplin.

Untill then safe driving to all.

Redapple

Hey, Redapple again.  So on Friday we went on a extended road trip to Bigcabin OK which is east of tulsa.  Each student drove 135 miles.  One drove to Bigcabin and one drove back to Drumright.

The route took us on truck routes, through smaller towns, and on an inerstate.  On the trip to Bigcabin I was in the sleeper.  I was laying down for part of the trip and sat up for the end of it.  We ended up at a very nice truck stop in Bigcabin, that had a very good resturent.  My codriver drove well, and once there we ate for an hour and then headed back.

I started out the trip fine, one a truck route.  My shifting was good and everything.  Shifting is different when you are loaded and you need to take into account terrain as well which made it more difficult.  Once I got on the interstate though it got much more challenging.  There was quite alot of trafic so I had to look ahead and make decisions in advance.  This is the biggest difference to me between driving a car and a rig.  My instructor was also telling me how I should look at on ramps when I am approaching them to account for people merging on.  You have to adjust your speed much and make dicisions much more in advance then in a car since it takes alot longer to slow down and the veicle is much bigger.  The advantage is that since you are sitting up so high you can see everything around you, I just wasn't looking in all of the right places.  You also have to slow down for sharper turns in the road to avoid roll overs and shifting out of your lane.

The biggest problem for me during the trip was still my turning on off ramps and after stop sighns (sharper turns with off tracking).  I must remember to slow down in advance and enough for the turn, stay slow during the turn and keep my eyes moving between the convex mirror and windshield during the turn.  I also need to always keep in mind that as Mr. O keeps repeating, "Slower is better".

I ran over one curb with my trailer tires, which was my biggest error during the trip, but all and all I have improved tremendously.  It is really amazing how well I am driving the rig, especially since I have very few driving miles in a regular car and had never been inside a rig before getting to Central Tech.

On Monday we are going on another road trip.  Each student is going to be driving there and back with lunch back in Drumright inbetween.

Well I have only one week left of school, wish me luck.  I can't wait to get back into the rig on Monday and continue to learn and improve cause I still have lots to work on. 

Till monday, happy and safe driving to all.

Redapple

Hello again.  It's been awhile since my last post so I will try not to leave anything out.

On Monday (day 14) I started out by going on a roadtrip.  I have actually forgotten exactly where I went or who the instructor was, but I think I went with Mr. O and the trip there and back was about 40 miles total.  I remember that I went over a few curbs while turning and missed a few gears while shifting.  After the road trip I spent the rest of the day in the wagon wheel practicing 90 degree backing and going around in circles on the range practicing shifting. 

On Tuesday I went on another road trip with a partner and instructor.  We drove to Cushing which is about 10 miles away from Drumright, so the trip was about 30 miles in total.  I drove back to campus.  This trip wasn't with Mr. O, it was with another instructor (I forgot his name).  He was a nice guy.  My shifting during the trip was perfect until I missed a down shift going tword an intersection and couldn't get the truck in gear.  The other problem I had during this trip was that I ran over two curbs with my trailer tires.  The marks that the instructor put down on his sheet where better then I expected so I was happy about that.  After the road trip I spend the rest of the afternoon on the range practicing 90's and shifting. 

Wednesday (CDL License Test day) started out with me arriving at school at 6:30am.  I got right into the truck and started driving.  I went around the range a few times and did one 90 back.  I then spent the rest of the time before my test driving in circles switching with my partner practicing shifting.  By this point my shifting had gotten alot better.

Then I was told to take a break for about 20 minutes and then go out and take my CDL test.  I got a very nice man named Mr. Heath as my evaluator.  First he had me explain what to check and look for regarding the air break system, both under the hood and at every axle.  Next I had to get into the cab and preform a full air system check including low air warnings, system leak/charging and spring break tug test.  Then he told me to start driving.  First I had to go around this turn called the tear drop which is shaped like a tear.  I thought that to pass this turn all I had to do was avoid hitting barrels to my right side.  Because of this I started the turn with my entire truck in the right lane.  I got about halfway through the turn and Mr. Health told me that I had failed the test.  The reason was because I was much to far in the left lane and had it been a real road I would have hit cars in that lane.  Because I failed I will now have to retake the test next Thursday, the day before a graduate.

Another person in my class failed the class as well, so after my test me and her went on a road trip with Mr. O.  This made me feel better.  I drover with her for the rest of the day and she tought me how to manover around that turn correctly.  For the rest of the day I practiced spacing since that is my worst skill.

Thursday we all had our first graded road trip.  It was our solo road trip, and it was only about 10 mile in length.  Mr. O said that if we get above a 80% on this test that we could drive without an instructor in the veicle.  I did much better then I expected.  My shifting was perfect and I didn't run over any curbs.  I got an 89% and am really happy about that.  My friend in my class has been helping me with my spacing issues and although I still have some problems with spacing it has gotten alto better.  Mr. O even said that my understanding of the rpms related to shifting is better then anyone else in the class.  The only thing I need to work on in terms of shifting if not forcing it into gear but using a light touch on the stick and trusting that it will glide right in gear.  Because of my spacing issue though Mr. O told me that he wants to still ride with me when we are on road trips which is understandable.

After the solo road trip I spent the rest of the day driving the range practicing my spacing and tractor trailer placement when I am turning.  With help from my friend I have really improved on it but still need to get alot better.

After lunch, we unhooked form our empty trailers, drove around the range bobtail for alittle while and then coupled to loaded trailers.  It takes more engine power to pull loads which I expected so you need to upshift faster to not over rev the engine.  Taking off is much eaiser though.  The real difference I noticed though is that the rig really speeds up going down hills and you have to break to downshift.  With an empty trailer I can simply take my foot off of the excellorator and the rpm's will drop on the range.

Tomarrow we are taking a 150 mile road trip to a truckstop, eating lunch and then heading back.  I can't wait, and man I need to build up my driving tolarence cause at the end of each day I am exusted.

Thats it for now.  I should be able to tell you about Friday on Saturday since I can get back to the computer then.  This course goes by very fast, I have only one week left.

Redapple

Redapple here.  So I missed being able to get to the library on Tuesday, so as a result I have not updated this in quite a while.  I will do my best to remember what I did the last four days at school but I might miss a few things.

Tuesday (day 10) we took our three skills tests, pretrip, straight backing and couple-uncouple.  I got a 100% on the pre-trip, a 90% on the couple-uncouple and a 85% on the straight backing. 

The pre-trip test was really easy and we only had to point to where the oil dipstick, where you add oil and explain about the steering system, point to the air compressor and belts.  You didn't have to actually check anything, only explain that these things had to be checked. 

On the vecile approch you had to say that you would look under the veicle for fluid leacks, look for body damage, windshild damage and veicle leanig.  On the walk around you had to say landing gear, all lights are working, to check the hub oil level, check tires/rims, and check the mud flaps.  Once inside the cab you had to explain that you would check the mirrors, steering wheel freeplay, documentation, horns and one other item that I can't think of at the moment.  The last thing you had to explain was how to do a full air brake system check.  Just explain everything but not actually do it.  This test was only for Central Tech and was not a full pre-trip.  When your really on the road your pre-trips will be much more complete.

The next test I took was the straight backing.  I did fine on it but the truck was not centered in the lane and I backed up to far. 

Next was the couple-uncouple.  I really messed up this test.  First I released both brakes right before pulling out from under the trailer, next I back up a tiny amount insted of pulling forward.  On coupling the only mistake I made was that my pullups once I was coupled were alittle bit to rough.  I thought I did worse then my score reflected.  All in all I did fine.

For the rest of the morning I was on the range practicing shifting and turning.  In the afternoon I was released to be on the range without an instructor and continued to practice shifting and turning for the rest of the afternoon.

Wednesday we spent the first two hours of the morning being lectured about the chapter on shifting and preparing to take a test on it.  It was about rpms when double clutching and what gears are used for what speeds.  Then we went over the road rules and took two tests in the computer lab.

After the two tests we went out to the trucks and Mr. O demoed the 90 degree back and the bullpen/terminal/truck stop parking/backing manuver.  Man these are hard.  After that I got to drive around the range and practiced the 90 degree alittle with no sucess.

On Thursday was our first road trip.  I was wrong about it being Wednesday.  I spent the morning on the range, untill the truck I was in started leaking air from the secondary tank, the petcock valve on the tank was frozen.  Mr. O put the truck in the shop to thaw out and I got a new tractor to practice with before lunch.  After lunch I got our big red CFI truck back and me and my partner went on our road trip with Mr. O.

The road trip took only 1 hour and was only about 40 miles total.  First Mr. O showed us the route for the CDL drive test.  This included two u-turns and a 90 degree back.  The first u-turn isn't graded though.  Then my partner drove about 20 miles and I drove back to campus.  Man driving that truck at 55 MPH is totaly different then driving it slowly.  Shifting was alot eaiser moving faster.  The thing that was really different for me between driving a car is that when you are driving a rig you have to really look ahead and plan your manuvers in advance.  Thats really something I am going to have to work on.  All in all it was a successful trip.

After the trip I spent the rest of the day practicing on the range and in the wagon weel doing 90's.  Man I suck at doing those 90 degree backs, they are a nightmare for me.

On Friday I was driving a Freightliner and went on my 2nd road trip first thing in the morning with Mr. O.  This one was much more challenging for me becauce there was more trafic.  I didn't look ahead while driving as much as I need to which as a result effects the trucks centering.  I also did not slow down soon enough twice and Mr. O was ready to set the parking brakes.  I slowed in time though but should have started slowing much sooner.  I also did not make a turn wide enough and ran over a curb with my trailer tires.  I thought I had everything under control form Wednesdays trip and got alittle over confident.  Man it kicked my ass.  I now know that when I am on the road to really look ahead, make discissions and actions in advance and go very slowly around turns.  All in all though I didn't hit anything which is most import and I still feel that I am improving everyday.

After the road trip I spent the rest of the day on the range and in the wagon wheel practicing 90's.  The 90 degree backs are getting better but still need alot of practice.  I have to get better at them or I will fail my CDL drive test which is next Wednesday.

Man this course is going fast and I still need to improve alot.  I feel that I can do it with practice.  So we are going on a road trip a day until the end of the course and our first shot at the CDL drive test is next Wednesday. 

I don't know if I will be able to get on the computer Monday or not so you might not get an update for quite some time, so wish me luck on my drive test.

Untill then happy trucking.

Redapple

So today I got to drive on the range for the first time.  I was with an instructor (Mr. Heath) and another one of my classmates.  At first I really had to adjust to turning the tractor and trailer and believe me it's nothing like turning a car.  You have to concentrate on so many things at once, speed, trailer off tracking and position of your tractor.  I cought on somewhat quickly but still got plenty of pointers from Mr. Heath along the way.  Another thing you need to focus on is looking the the convex mirror while making the turns to see what is happening with the tracor wheels.  If you hit a cone or barrel along the way you must get out of the tractor and put it back in the correct spot.

I was also practicing my up shifting and down shifting.  Up shifting is much eaiser then down but after some practice I got better at both.  Mr. Heath also had me use only my finger tips on the shifter so that I couldn't mussle the transmission into gear and would focus on not grinding.  Before lunch I was pretty bad and made many mistakes, rough takeoffs and stops, stalled the engine a few times and ground alot of gears as well.  Once I got in the drivers seat in the afternoon I was better, alothough I shifted from 2 to 4th gear a few times. 

I feel that all I need to do is spend as much time as possible out on the range practicing everything and since I know the basics I will improve greatly with more practice.  At 3:30 me and my partner went to a straight backing lane and practiced a few backs for tomarrows test. 

Tomarrow my class is taking three skills tests, pre-trip, couple-uncouple, and straight line backing.  I have already studied for them and do not feel nervis about them.  After the testing I will get to go out on the range with Mr. Heath again and hopefully get released so I can get out there and practice on my own.

On Wednesday we are going on our first road trip.  Man this course is going very fast, I have to improve alot between now and next week since we take our CDL Drive tests next week.  If we fail the test next week then we get one more chance to pass the day before we graduate.  I can't wait to get in the truck tomarrow and continue to improve.

Wish me luck tomarrow and keep those roads safe.

Redapple

Redapple here.  So today we spent the first part of the morning in the classroom working on our CDL Permit tests for the state.  We got our pictures taken and finger prints done and then took the tests.  I took every endorsment test except passenger and got a 98% total.  I was so happy when I was done.

The second part of the morning we went out to the trucks and I did a pre trip and practiced shifting and straight line backing in the straight back lane.  We went to lunch at 12.  At 12:30 we all went over to the tag office in downtown Drumright to get our Oklahoma D class licence.  Once we got back to school we got our papers to go along with the licence for our CDL permits.

When we got back to school we went into the computer lab and sighned up for the finger printing for the hasmat endorsment.  Then we went out to the trucks for the rest of the afternoon.  4 students went out on the range, but I was still in the straight back lane practicing shifting and straight ling backing.  I felt that every time I was in the cab I was improving.

At 4pm we went back into the classroom, updated our logs, got the requirements for the straight backing, couple-uncouple and pre-trip tests that we are taking on tuesday. Then we got dissmissed.

Tomarrow I am going to Tulsa to get the fingerprinting done for the hazmat endorsment.  Man am I having fun, this is such a blast.  I would recomend that if you want to work for CFI to try and get to school here at Central Tech because they have great instructors, CFI trucks for the students to practice on and only two students per truck so you get tons of practice.  It is a very intense course and you get in the trucks very quickly, so if you end up comming here, don't mess around and practice any time you are able to.

Well that it for now.  Happy driving.

Redapple

Redapple here.  So I have not updated this log in 3 days and finally got a chance to get back to the library and to a computer.

On Tuesday (day 5) we started to manuver the tractors.  Central tech has two Kenworth T600 tractors that they are renting from CFI so our class is getting to drive them.  We are also using a Freightliner as our other truck.

I was in the Freightliner on Tuesday and we learned how to uncouple and couple the tractor from the trailer.  Besides starting out the day with a pre -trip and ending the day with a post-trip thats all we did.

On Wednesday we started to learn how to straight line back with the tractor and trailer.  At first I was all over the lane and was terrible, but with some tips from Mr O and some practice I got better really quickly.  I was alot better at the end of the day then I was at the beginning.  Mr. O also demonstrated shifting and I tried to shift with no success (I stalled the engine while trying).

On thursday we spent the morning preparing for the Central Tech CDL test.  It was very time consuming a pointless to me because I already knew all of the materil on the test and got a 98% on it with no trouble.  After lunch we continued to practice out straight line backing.  Today I got alot better at the straight line back and was preforming the manuver with a much higher rate of success.  Mr. O also again got into my tractor and demonstrated shifted.  I stated to practice shifting and was able to shift from Low gear to Second gear and back down without to much of a problem.  I couldn't excellorate in the lane though because it is to short.  Tomarrow we are going to be going on the range with an instructor and I will get to practice shifting more then.

I never expected this course to be so much fun.  I am having a blast learning how to drive a truck and am gainning confidence every time I sit in the tractor.  I can't wait to get out on the range tomarrow.

Tomarrow we are going to be taking the Oklahoma CDL written test for our CDL permits in the morning and then on the range and in the trucks for the rest of the day.  I can't wait.

I won't be able to update this journal until Saturday 2/10 so until then, keep those roads safe.

Redapple

The day started early as usual with class beginning at 7:00am central time.  We started by reviewing log booking and then filling out logs for the first three days of school puls the weekend.  Very easy to do, but also easy to make mistakes.  I made some mistakes on one of the log sheets and had to void the entire sheet.

After we were done catching up out logs Mr. O lechered on manuvering the truck.  Turns and speed manangement.  Once he was done with that we reviewed for the test and took it.

Then Mr. O gave us a lecture on coupling and uncoupling and we watched a video about that.  Then we took a test on coupling and uncoupling.  By then it was time for lunch.

After lunch we went out to the range and Mr. O demonstrated how to couple and uncouple a tractor-trailer correctly using one of the CFI trucks.  That was lots of fun.

After that we reviewed backing manuvers and the Central Tech range rules.  We took tests on both subjects.  You must get a 100% on the range rules test, but don't worry it is a very easy test and I passed it with 100% the first time.

Thats all we did today.  Tomarrow we are going to spend the entire day outside doing pretrips and might even get to drive the tractor for the first time.  I really hope we get to drive as I am really eager and know it will be lots of fun.

I am so glad I choose CFI because everything I hear about them is top noch.  I am also glad that I am going to Central Tech because it is a great school and Mr. O is a very good instructor, rarely is he boring during a lecture and he is a very nice man.

Well I won't be able to update this until Thursday since I can't get back to the library until then. 

Until then keep those trucks movin and those roads safe.

Redapple

Redapple here,

So I have completed my first 3 days at the truck driving school and am having a blast. My instructors name is Gary Olinghouse or Mr. O for short.  He has been driving professionaly for almost his entire adult life.  He has been a union teemster driver, driven over-the-road and is currently hauling fuel in tankers part time on the weekends in addition to teaching.

Day one started with showing up at the school at around 6:45AM.  I then got a bag and all of my books from the school.  I met my instuctor.  Then I when into one of the secrateries offices and payed my tuition and gave her my medical card, drivers licence and SS card to copy.  Then I took a drug test and reviewed some material that was we were going to be going over during the course of the class.

Day two was spent in the class room going over the insturments found inside the cab of the tractor.  All of the dashboard gagues ect.  We took two tests on the comuter.  Mr. O also took us outside and the whole class got to go inside the cab of a truck.  The great thing about Central Tech is that they rent Kenworth's from CFI so we get to drive the exact type of truck at school that we will be driving on the road.  Man was it cool to get up inside that cab, it was my first time inside one of those cabs and I really can't wait to learn how to drive it.

On day three we spent the entire day in the classroom.  We reviewed the Pre, Enroute and post-trip inspections.  We also went over look booking and the Hours of Service regulations.  We watched movies on both of these subjects throughout the day and took tests on both topics as well.  The tests are not hard because Mr. O goes over all of the material very throughly before you take the test. 

The first three days were very tiring because we learned such a large amound of information in such a small amound of time.

Well thats all for now.  I will update this blog sometime next week.  We should be in the trucks again very soon and may even start driving next week.

Thats all for now,

Redapple

So here I am in Drumright OK a long cry form home in New York City.  I came all the way out here to go to Central Tech Truck Driver Trainning through a company call Contract Freighters Inc. (CFI).

The town of Drumright is about 1.5 miles in length and there is nothing much to do here.  I start school tomarrow and have been hanging out for the past two days pretty bord.

You walk up a hill, down a hill and up another hill and you have been through the entire town.  I can't wait to get to school tomarrow and will keep everyone updated with what is happening when ever I can get to a computer.

Thats all for now. Can't wait till tomarrow when school starts.

Redapple