I did, finally, pass my final test to get my CDL. It took me two attempts, but I only missed three points, which is better than any of my classmates. That was kind of cool.
So after I passed that test, I had to take another test. This one was for my new employer. It was yet another road test with a backing skills test. I passed, but barely. I am still a horrible test taker.
The road test was a piece of cake. I knew I would do well on that one. After all, I am a good driver... period. But it was the backing skills that had me worried. My instructor, Dan, at CWI, took us as a class to the yard that May uses for their backing tests and showed us the course and showed us how to maneuver the course. Then we were given an opportunity to try it. Dan told us since this was not the state test, we could pull forward and get out as many times as we needed to as long as we didn't hit anything. I was able to, over the course of several days, drive that course four times and each time I drove it, I never once hit a tire or ran over a cone. Today, I didn't run over any cones, but I did knock over three tires!
On the plus side, I had actually completed the course and was told to do it one more time before I hit the one stack of tires, knocking over three of the six. But I did hit them, nevertheless.
Thankfully, I still have a job! I thought for a moment there I was canned for sure. But, he was rather generous and apparently saw that I could actually do it if I was given enough time and practice.
Now that I know that this is really for real, it all feels so surreal! I mean, in about three days, give or take, I'm going to be driving an 18-wheeler for real! I'm going to invade the space of another trucker and I'm going to be a working truck driver.
And all these thoughts keep going thru my head: is she going to be nice? What is she going to be like? Will she be a talker or the silent type? Will she like me? Will she become my friend? Will I ever see her again once training is completed? What is life on the road going to be like? Am I going to adapt to it as easily as I think I will?
Sheesh!
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