Day 6 -- In the Trucks!!

Good evening all.  Whew!  What a couple of days!

First big news, i guess, is that we took our Utah DMV Commercial Driver's License permit written test -- the first big hurdle of the school.  I passed first try, which made me very happy.  It was HIGH stress going in to the test, and we all were cramming for it like a college final.  If you don't pass the test in a reasonable number of tries they send you home....  There are three sections to the test: general knowledge, air brakes, and combination trailers.  You have to get a minimum of 80% on each section to pass.

Also, there is a thing they call the Flex Program, which is targeted at the top four students in the class (out of about 60 people).  People who get accepted to the Flex Program are assigned to a drive instructor for one-on-one training for the remainder of the school.  Regular students are assigned 4-5 per instructor.  Also, you start getting paid during school (which other students do not) and you actually go on local freight runs with your instructor.

To be qualified for the program you need to get 90% or better on all tests, have perfect attendance and pass your CDL permit test on the first try.  They also take into account intangibles, such as attitude and participation in class.  I'm working my rear off trying to qualify for that program, and so far i'm eligible!  I'll keep you all posted on how this develops.  We find out who made the first cut (the top 8) sometime tomorrow....

Today was an EVEN BIGGER DAY, as we actually got behind the wheels of the trucks this afternoon!  We started learning how to back the trucks.  They start with backing first because it's the hardest maneuver in a big rig.  We were put into groups of about 6-7 students per instructor and did nothing but "straight-line" backing from 4-8:30 pm.  It was complicated a bit by the weather, which dumped snow and sleet on us the entire time!  luckily, i packed the appropriate clothing (unlike many).

It was my first time setting foot in the cab of a big rig.  What a rush!

Needless to say, there was a wild variance in ability to back the trucks.  At certain points it would have looked from the sky like a game of pick-up-sticks, with trucks/trailers going every which way.  I did reasonably well -- not perfect, but certainly good enough to feel very satisfied.  And it was really cool to pull the air horn when you start to back up! :-)

Tomorrow we do more backing all day.  Hopefully the weather will be a little more pleasant.  Think i'm starting to come down with a cold.  And don't have any Emergen-C...

Had a bit of a scare today -- got called out of class and into the "office" because of an irregularity in my drug test.  Turns out one of my prescription medications is an amphetamine, which is a target of drug screens by trucking companies.  Appears that i'm ok because of my prescription, which i have with me.  Another guy was called out at the same time and he actually got sent home today because of his drug test results.  Very sad.  And a very nice guy too.

Time to get some rest, as we will have another long day (7 am until 9 pm).  Hope everyone is doing well.

Stay safe....

KWA