Day 18 AND I'M DONE
AUG 16 TEST DAY
Well since the cat is out of the bag, at least on facebook. Started the day at 0530 for some reason, Reloaded my bible app on to my phone and started a bible reading plan that will get me through the bible in a year, which I have done 2 previous times, but I will get to that later. Got to class at 10:00 am practiced couple backing maneuvers and the instructor and I hit the road to drive 100 miles to Cookville Tennessee, home of Fortis Driving Institute and where Titan does their CDL Testing. When we pulled in the tester who is a local Sheriff Deputy wasn't there yet, we got in at 14:30 and test was scheduled for 15:00. So instructor said why don't you go out and hit the alley dock a couple times, slightly different set up then what we had a school. At Titan there is an ever so gently slope, back towards the alley dock, so we got accustomed to that. The test site is flat concrete, so tried it 4 times and for the life of me COULD NOT Get it in, either encroached the right side or most of the time the back side. After the fourth go at it the instructor said "STOP, Get out of the truck and go get registered for your test. So went inside met with the examiner, got signed up and then my instructor called me outside for a minute, gave me a couple pointers to fix the alley dock, he is not allowed to watch the test, so he went inside and the examiner came out. He said let's do this, went over to the truck, and he read me the instructions. I got part B, (if you know, you know, if you want to know message me on FB or here and I will explain it) Got through that fairly easy, and had to do the coupling system, got through all that with out any issues, how ever when I was finished I stood there for a minute trying to remember if I had gone through and hit everything, because you have to have a certain amount of points to move on, so as I'm standing there the examiner says, "hey it's hot out here let's hop in the truck" . I was a little confused at first but I said uh..OKAY, dawned on me. So I did the in cab 100% Nailed EVERYTHING, even mentioned a few things I didn't need to. Did the Tug test correctly, did the leak test, the leak down test and the valve pop test 100%,(everything else is just points adding up HOWEVER the Brake test is Pass or Fail, you either do it ALL Correctly or you go home and try again later). again he's not allowed to say one way or another if you passed, until you either FAIL So miserably you have to restart or hit an auto fail, or pass it. So we got out of the truck back on to the apron and he said now we are going to do some basic backing maneuvers ones you should have practiced on before so nothing new here, I want you to breathe and relax, you know how to do this just SHOW ME. First one you are going to do is the straight line backing, you will pull forward to the bumpers at the end of the pad and back straight up to the other bumper on the ground, you get 1 free pull up and one free G.O.A.L. before you acquire any points, when you are satisfied with the position of the truck please pull your air brakes and sound your horn. I turned around and looked at the end where I was suppose to start my test, and thought WAIT A Minute this is TWICE the room we had at our training pad, This part is gonna be easy, pull forward, straight back, hit the bumper with no problem, air brakes applied horn sounded. "Please turn the truck off and come here for further instructions". This test is the off set test, same thing you are going to pull all the way forward and then park your truck over on the right side of those cones, when you are happy with where you are, apply the parking brakes and sound the horn, you get 2 free pull-ups and 2 free GOAL before you start earning points. (I will put here, that you are allowed 12 points and still pass, now if you cross a "wall" on either side that's 2 points, if you go past the number of FREE Pull ups or GOAL then you earn a point, here's the big one, if you back TO FAR OUT of the alley dock, that's 10 points, so it's easy to see how you could easily go past your 12 points) any way I pull forward, turn the wheel, get the trailer moving straighten it out, it lines up perfectly with the other side and just slowly ease on back to the back bumper, apply my air brakes, get out and look just to make sure I'm not out side the box, nope straight as an arrow, so I get in tap my horn. He said okay turn your truck off and come with me. (Well that can't be good) so he starts heading to the alley dock, okay you need to start over there (points at a spot on the pad) and turns around and points at the Alley Dock and said finish there, you get 2 Free Pull ups and 2 free GOALS, when you are happy apply your brakes and sound the horn. Okay, so I pull around the parking lot get set up, stop for a quick second say a short quick prayer, gear in to R and back we go, little this way...Little that way, looking good, CRAP not where I need to be...BUT I know how to fix it, I just need to pull up 20', pull up fix the trailer, start rolling back...By Golly she's right on the money get the nose around to the front...CRAP Crooked, that' okay I still have ONE MORE Free pull up, so pull it up, it's now a straight line back, get it in the dock, get out and walk to the front and then to the back and see that I have to go back about 3' to be in the box, BUT, if I keep moving the way I am my nose is going over the line...Crap time for the first point pull up NUMBER 3, but I was able to straighten it out straight as an arrow, rolled back to my line, use my last free get out and look DEAD CENTER IN THE ALLEY and DEAD CENTER IN The Box, walk up front take a deep breath and tap the horn. He stays behind the truck walking back and forth a couple times (they have a tablet they put everything into) he starts coming to the front not making any eye contact, I get a sinking feeling in my chest..."I'VE FAILED" Some how, he get's up to me, looks up and says "LET'S GO DRIVING" Wait what, did I pass, he said 'LET'S GO DRIVE" Ah Okay so that's a yes. I got this driving thing down I was nervous about the alley dock. So we go out tool around town, do a safe stop, explain the triangles, continue on our route, make couple left's and couple right's he said okay just head straight up the road to the school. (Now I will point out heart attack number 2 happens when we get back to school, our teacher said when you get back to the school if you passed, he will sit in the truck and you will have to sign the test saying you completed it and that's a pass, HOWEVER If you get back to the school and he just bails out NO GOOD) So we are driving up the road, I come into the yard go around back, park where he tells me to, pull the air brakes, look to the right and he is half way out the door already. AH MAN, teacher said if he does that you're DONE. So I get out of the truck my heart sinks, and I follow him into the office. He plugs his tablet up taps a couple keys, cusses a couple times, hits the tablet a few more times, and says Okay I need you to sign this form! I said what is it for (I don't sign ANYTHING With out knowing what and WHY I am signing. He said this just states that you passed your CDL Test and you acknowledge that. "WAIT WHAT?" So he repeated it, said why are you surprised, so I explained it to him, what the teacher said, he said "Normally I do that, but this has been giving me fits in the past and so he has to COME INSIDE before he can hit submit that we passed. ...PHEW PASSED, so I eagerly sign it, he shakes my hand and says "Congratulations TRUCK DRIVER" Probably sweetest words I have heard since my daughter was born. My teacher is outside and all he has seen is when we get back into the lot, the examiner bounces out the truck and doesn't say anything to him. So he comes over and said "Well" So I show him the paper and he said "Nice Congrats I KNEW You would do it" I then Message the MRS, first tell her the great news. Then message my classmates and let them know I had passed.
Now if you don't follow me on Facebook, I posted a Cryptic message, it said the following "Well join me tomorrow afternoon on a live video as I explain to you the ONE THING I Did that got me kicked out of training" Now MY INTENTIONS Brief lived as they may be was to do a quick little review of the training and the "THING I DID" and hold up my CDL License, you CAN'T Be a student if you have passed the class and your CDL TEST, class is for permit holders and you are no longer one, so you HAVE To leave. Well that set off a Tidal Wave of Texts and phone calls, and FB Messenger Messages QUICKLY, and I had told the MRS, I was going to be finishing EARLY but SWORE Her to Secrecy, also told her to IGNORE ANY AND ALL MESSAGES in regards to this, if someone messages you about it just ignore them. It's wasn't until my mother text me in a panic, did it all crumble into the ground and I had to post the REAL Reason i was no longer in school...AFTER I talked her out of panic mode. Sadly in today's society NO ONE Can wait we need answers NOW. But I digress. So we got in the truck and headed back to school. When we got back I had to do some paper work, sign off the road test paper work for the company and then I was free to go..Jump in the car and proceed to drive 400+ miles home. Got home around 0200 took a short nap, got the kids up for school ( I called and told them last night I would be home in the am), went and surprised my sister and mother, went to breakfast with them, then they went with me to get my HARD COPY CDL. I am in Louisville this weekend going to the state fair and enjoying time with FAMILY Before I start my next portion of training. I am OFF For week, then will meet with them. Soon as I know who they are will update all of you.
Thank you for traveling with me...Please CONTINUE to follow and encourage other's in your daily life as you interact with others. I will continue to post blogs of my training and progress but really would like to switch over to a camera and VLOGS. Until next time
Thank You
God Speed
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
firemedic2816
Well since the cat is out of the bag, at least on facebook. Started the day at 0530 for some reason, Reloaded my bible app on to my phone and started a bible reading plan that will get me through the bible in a year, which I have done 2 previous times, but I will get to that later. Got to class at 10:00 am practiced couple backing maneuvers and the instructor and I hit the road to drive 100 miles to Cookville Tennessee, home of Fortis Driving Institute and where Titan does their CDL Testing. When we pulled in the tester who is a local Sheriff Deputy wasn't there yet, we got in at 14:30 and test was scheduled for 15:00. So instructor said why don't you go out and hit the alley dock a couple times, slightly different set up then what we had a school. At Titan there is an ever so gently slope, back towards the alley dock, so we got accustomed to that. The test site is flat concrete, so tried it 4 times and for the life of me COULD NOT Get it in, either encroached the right side or most of the time the back side. After the fourth go at it the instructor said "STOP, Get out of the truck and go get registered for your test. So went inside met with the examiner, got signed up and then my instructor called me outside for a minute, gave me a couple pointers to fix the alley dock, he is not allowed to watch the test, so he went inside and the examiner came out. He said let's do this, went over to the truck, and he read me the instructions. I got part B, (if you know, you know, if you want to know message me on FB or here and I will explain it) Got through that fairly easy, and had to do the coupling system, got through all that with out any issues, how ever when I was finished I stood there for a minute trying to remember if I had gone through and hit everything, because you have to have a certain amount of points to move on, so as I'm standing there the examiner says, "hey it's hot out here let's hop in the truck" . I was a little confused at first but I said uh..OKAY, dawned on me. So I did the in cab 100% Nailed EVERYTHING, even mentioned a few things I didn't need to. Did the Tug test correctly, did the leak test, the leak down test and the valve pop test 100%,(everything else is just points adding up HOWEVER the Brake test is Pass or Fail, you either do it ALL Correctly or you go home and try again later). again he's not allowed to say one way or another if you passed, until you either FAIL So miserably you have to restart or hit an auto fail, or pass it. So we got out of the truck back on to the apron and he said now we are going to do some basic backing maneuvers ones you should have practiced on before so nothing new here, I want you to breathe and relax, you know how to do this just SHOW ME. First one you are going to do is the straight line backing, you will pull forward to the bumpers at the end of the pad and back straight up to the other bumper on the ground, you get 1 free pull up and one free G.O.A.L. before you acquire any points, when you are satisfied with the position of the truck please pull your air brakes and sound your horn. I turned around and looked at the end where I was suppose to start my test, and thought WAIT A Minute this is TWICE the room we had at our training pad, This part is gonna be easy, pull forward, straight back, hit the bumper with no problem, air brakes applied horn sounded. "Please turn the truck off and come here for further instructions". This test is the off set test, same thing you are going to pull all the way forward and then park your truck over on the right side of those cones, when you are happy with where you are, apply the parking brakes and sound the horn, you get 2 free pull-ups and 2 free GOAL before you start earning points. (I will put here, that you are allowed 12 points and still pass, now if you cross a "wall" on either side that's 2 points, if you go past the number of FREE Pull ups or GOAL then you earn a point, here's the big one, if you back TO FAR OUT of the alley dock, that's 10 points, so it's easy to see how you could easily go past your 12 points) any way I pull forward, turn the wheel, get the trailer moving straighten it out, it lines up perfectly with the other side and just slowly ease on back to the back bumper, apply my air brakes, get out and look just to make sure I'm not out side the box, nope straight as an arrow, so I get in tap my horn. He said okay turn your truck off and come with me. (Well that can't be good) so he starts heading to the alley dock, okay you need to start over there (points at a spot on the pad) and turns around and points at the Alley Dock and said finish there, you get 2 Free Pull ups and 2 free GOALS, when you are happy apply your brakes and sound the horn. Okay, so I pull around the parking lot get set up, stop for a quick second say a short quick prayer, gear in to R and back we go, little this way...Little that way, looking good, CRAP not where I need to be...BUT I know how to fix it, I just need to pull up 20', pull up fix the trailer, start rolling back...By Golly she's right on the money get the nose around to the front...CRAP Crooked, that' okay I still have ONE MORE Free pull up, so pull it up, it's now a straight line back, get it in the dock, get out and walk to the front and then to the back and see that I have to go back about 3' to be in the box, BUT, if I keep moving the way I am my nose is going over the line...Crap time for the first point pull up NUMBER 3, but I was able to straighten it out straight as an arrow, rolled back to my line, use my last free get out and look DEAD CENTER IN THE ALLEY and DEAD CENTER IN The Box, walk up front take a deep breath and tap the horn. He stays behind the truck walking back and forth a couple times (they have a tablet they put everything into) he starts coming to the front not making any eye contact, I get a sinking feeling in my chest..."I'VE FAILED" Some how, he get's up to me, looks up and says "LET'S GO DRIVING" Wait what, did I pass, he said 'LET'S GO DRIVE" Ah Okay so that's a yes. I got this driving thing down I was nervous about the alley dock. So we go out tool around town, do a safe stop, explain the triangles, continue on our route, make couple left's and couple right's he said okay just head straight up the road to the school. (Now I will point out heart attack number 2 happens when we get back to school, our teacher said when you get back to the school if you passed, he will sit in the truck and you will have to sign the test saying you completed it and that's a pass, HOWEVER If you get back to the school and he just bails out NO GOOD) So we are driving up the road, I come into the yard go around back, park where he tells me to, pull the air brakes, look to the right and he is half way out the door already. AH MAN, teacher said if he does that you're DONE. So I get out of the truck my heart sinks, and I follow him into the office. He plugs his tablet up taps a couple keys, cusses a couple times, hits the tablet a few more times, and says Okay I need you to sign this form! I said what is it for (I don't sign ANYTHING With out knowing what and WHY I am signing. He said this just states that you passed your CDL Test and you acknowledge that. "WAIT WHAT?" So he repeated it, said why are you surprised, so I explained it to him, what the teacher said, he said "Normally I do that, but this has been giving me fits in the past and so he has to COME INSIDE before he can hit submit that we passed. ...PHEW PASSED, so I eagerly sign it, he shakes my hand and says "Congratulations TRUCK DRIVER" Probably sweetest words I have heard since my daughter was born. My teacher is outside and all he has seen is when we get back into the lot, the examiner bounces out the truck and doesn't say anything to him. So he comes over and said "Well" So I show him the paper and he said "Nice Congrats I KNEW You would do it" I then Message the MRS, first tell her the great news. Then message my classmates and let them know I had passed.
Now if you don't follow me on Facebook, I posted a Cryptic message, it said the following "Well join me tomorrow afternoon on a live video as I explain to you the ONE THING I Did that got me kicked out of training" Now MY INTENTIONS Brief lived as they may be was to do a quick little review of the training and the "THING I DID" and hold up my CDL License, you CAN'T Be a student if you have passed the class and your CDL TEST, class is for permit holders and you are no longer one, so you HAVE To leave. Well that set off a Tidal Wave of Texts and phone calls, and FB Messenger Messages QUICKLY, and I had told the MRS, I was going to be finishing EARLY but SWORE Her to Secrecy, also told her to IGNORE ANY AND ALL MESSAGES in regards to this, if someone messages you about it just ignore them. It's wasn't until my mother text me in a panic, did it all crumble into the ground and I had to post the REAL Reason i was no longer in school...AFTER I talked her out of panic mode. Sadly in today's society NO ONE Can wait we need answers NOW. But I digress. So we got in the truck and headed back to school. When we got back I had to do some paper work, sign off the road test paper work for the company and then I was free to go..Jump in the car and proceed to drive 400+ miles home. Got home around 0200 took a short nap, got the kids up for school ( I called and told them last night I would be home in the am), went and surprised my sister and mother, went to breakfast with them, then they went with me to get my HARD COPY CDL. I am in Louisville this weekend going to the state fair and enjoying time with FAMILY Before I start my next portion of training. I am OFF For week, then will meet with them. Soon as I know who they are will update all of you.
Thank you for traveling with me...Please CONTINUE to follow and encourage other's in your daily life as you interact with others. I will continue to post blogs of my training and progress but really would like to switch over to a camera and VLOGS. Until next time
Thank You
God Speed
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
firemedic2816
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