I just got fired from CDL training.
Posted by Inevitable-Book8875@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 173 comments
Failed to meet week 2 expectations. Couldn’t alley dock. Up until sign off today, I’d had less than five practice attempts.
Other dude in my training week got his offer to continue training and I’m trying really, really hard not to lose my mind. This dude had to use notes for every single step of offsets. Took an hour to run every pair. Had to have instructors hold his hand the entire time. I really feel like it cut into the time I could have had training on things I needed work on, like alley dock.
Didn’t help the instructors wanted to demonstrate once and then bitch you out for not getting it and interrupting their time watching TikTok in the Gator.
GunStarOmega@reddit
What I'd suggest is to go to a known 'easy' company to get into. Western Express was the one I did when I first started driving. Stayed with them for a couple of years for experience, then moved onto a better paying one. I got plenty of practice moving and maneuvering with WE until I was satisfied with how I was doing. Had not accidents or infractions and made my move onwards. To this day, I still look at every action, interaction, and event as a learning experience.
ScaryfatkidGT@reddit
Was this through a company?
AlcidzTV@reddit
It took me a month to get my CDL, 7 of those days was my trainer going home we didn’t spent much time practicing offset parking but I finally got it ! Make sure you get your reference points and know where to steer and always straight up your tires before making a move
TruthBehindMyEyes@reddit
Try halvor lines their training school is top notch and they will hire you on through them as long as your put of their hiring area. Also YouTube is a great resource for watching video to get the alley dock down. It's the only way I learned because in the process of when I went to school which was when covid was still a huge deal 2022 I ended up having like 8 trainers and it just confused me more. But I got it down. If I can do it being autistic and easily overstimulated in that point in my life I had only known about my diagnosis for a year. You can do it too!!
DrillTheThirdHole@reddit
at 2 weeks they expected you to be able to alley dock flawlessly? what? also, what kind of trucking school just gives you the boot?
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
Week 2 expectations are to be able to do offsets, parallels, and alley dock with an 80%+ success rate.
You’re limited on GOALs and pull ups. Using more GOALs than they give you is an automatic fail. Each extra pull up is a point, cone/out of bounds is 2 points. 4 points is a fail.
pisces_bubble@reddit
That's totally f*cked up! As a former trainer at a community college, you shouldn't be limited on GOAL's.... that shit should be encouraged! The company would expect that from you in the real world so you don't wreck the equipment or product!
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
Their whole model was “You’re going to be in the yard starting on day 2. We’re required to do theory as part of ELDT, so you can watch these videos on your own time.”
DrillTheThirdHole@reddit
was this paid for by a company or what? i had all the time i needed. which wasn't much, but, damn
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
It’s a company that does their own driver training and then sends you to take the CDL test.
spartanantler@reddit
Try your local community college. Mine was $750 which was covered by a random scholarship
pisces_bubble@reddit
This is the answer! I got mine paid for thru vocational rehabilitation
Top_Roll_6136@reddit
It's $5,000 in Michigan.
pisces_bubble@reddit
They need better trainers.... sounds like they are just pushing drivers thru to get you on the payroll
MembershipKindly9112@reddit
Makes a little more since knowing that it was a trucking company training program. Possibly their freight deliveries have a higher amount of alley and tight delivery locations than most.
In most trucking jobs backing is a smaller percentage of the job. You must be able to back into tight spots but I’d rather have someone using too many GOALs than none at all.
Every successful person has failed so don’t beat yourself up. Get back on the horse and prove them wrong. Good Luck!!
arrynyo@reddit
See if you qualify for the WIOA program. They paid for my CDL training.
hellbillyjoker@reddit
What's the company
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
I don’t want to outright name them because they feel like they type who would retaliate for negative publicity but if you Google “Ohio CDL training” they’re one of the sponsored results. Starts with an M.
wooptyscooppoop@reddit
just curious, what do you think happens when companies "retaliate for negative publicity"?
like what scenarios are you thinking might occur if you were to publicly name and shame a clearly awful training program at what is probably a subpar company? if you think they would go after you for the training costs they are going to do that anyways. none of these "free cdl training" companies are around to help people, they exist to extract as much profit as they can from each person involved and the more suckers who fall for it, the better it is for them.
alternatively by naming and shaming you put them on notice. people DO google "truck company reddit" to find out the good and the bad with companies and there's no sense pretending they're gonna send a deep state sleeper agent to your door for outing them.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
It’s more a matter of I don’t know what companies they know.
wooptyscooppoop@reddit
I highly, highly doubt they are sharing information between each other, and furthermore any other company would have a hell of a time connecting you to any reddit account to accuse you of negative publicity. you may do whatever you want with the information you have, but i really think you do yourself a disservice by not putting that info out there. all that said, i think folks can glean that info from the clues you provided.
i hope you find a better situation and i hope it involves a company worth your time and effort.
DM_RavenKin@reddit
Oh this company would 100% retaliate. The person who answers the phone when another company calls will literally make things up so you don't get hired. They tried that with me but all the local companies are wise to it. Honestly if you get shit talked by mast with a lot of companies it actually improves your chance of being hired haha
wooptyscooppoop@reddit
jfc, that's insane.
DM_RavenKin@reddit
Oh it is. The owner and i laughed our asses off. Safety guy there is a absolute treat lol
justaskin_x2@reddit
Ummm. State and federal labor board complaint right there. It's illegal as f and you can sue the snot out of them. Labor boards do act.
DM_RavenKin@reddit
Btw if you do get your cdl come check out dutch maid. They will hire straight out of academies and the entire setup is owned by weir farms. Bunch of us old mast hands went over here and were all still having a great time! 11-3 is the base schedule but they're happy to work with you on that. .64 starting pay, 30 a stop, 240 layover, 20/hr detention pay. And thw safety bonus doesn't include fuel mileage because, and i quote, you can't control that and it's idiotic of anyone to think you can. " lol
natkingcoil@reddit
Hey I started there! Good folks and they take pretty good care of their equipment which goes a long way. You can make some good money on those cookie loads if you don't mind slinging boxes onto a roller but 90% of it is just regular freight.
quackdamnyou@reddit
Isn't it shitty how people have been scared into being subservient in the market as employees? Name and shame is about all we have left.
wooptyscooppoop@reddit
facts. this sub, and the industry at large, is full of good people who unfortunately find themselves in bad situations with companies that exist to cannibalize their employees and take as much as they can before the well runs dry
DM_RavenKin@reddit
Ill name them for you. I left a couple years ago when Kevin started carrying more about numbers than his drivers. His old man would roll over in his grave if he could see what his son had done to that place. It's Mast trucking Inc. Training yard is in millersburg and the new main yard is in massillon. Bigger turn around rate than prime now. Used to be an amazing company who looked out for their drivers and had great benefits and pay. Now it might as well be swift or prime. Owner doesn't give a fuck about anyone or anything except his books with all his numbers. They constantly ask the few drivers who still remain what they can do to retain people but don't listen to anything they say. Place went from being a company you had to know someone to get into to a POS company like any other half baked business with no morals. Are Mike and rodney still the instructors?
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
Mike, Rodney, Louie, and Paul. Paul is the only good one and I was supposed to work with him today but he had a family emergency.
DM_RavenKin@reddit
Lmfao yeah that's Mikey haha he's a good dude though. Always trying to lighten the mood. But i know he's fed up with mast as much as rodney is. I highly doubt he has the motivation he used to.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
It wasn’t even the joking that was the issue. It’s like dude just didn’t care any more, which was probably true, and I felt like I couldn’t learn anything from him at that point.
DM_RavenKin@reddit
Yeah yeah that sounds about right. The amount of shit he's stayed and dealt with...i don't blame him. He's dead inside now a days which is a complete shame. He used to be an amazing instructor. His wifes nice too.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
It’s to the point when new weeks come in, all of the people in the final weeks warn them about Mike. He seems cool, I just don’t think he’s at a point where he wants to be an instructor for Mast any more. Him, Paul, and Rodney were all talking about they could leave and make more money doing local or regional.
DM_RavenKin@reddit
I'm honestly surprised they haven't yet. Mikey and rodney were both about burnt out when i left the company and that was at least 2 years ago.
DM_RavenKin@reddit
Dont know the other 2
dedtekker@reddit
In real life, you take as many GOALs as you need to make sure you're not hitting anything.
nyw5@reddit
This is how it is at the DMV when you test to get your actual license. You either sink or swim.
Raleth@reddit
Shit I mean clearly some states are more strict than others. The fail threshold for backing in my state is 9 points, and they don't even teach alley docking in any of the schools here.
keithndi@reddit
I just finished school in Las Vegas and they hardly even mentioned alley backing. Not required in CDL School.
nyw5@reddit
They taught alley docking at the school I went to.
Raleth@reddit
Fair enough man, I'm just saying it's not really a prerequisite in all states.
Kevo_xx@reddit
Maybe at your local DMV. Mine basically gifted me my cdl. Instructor sent me down a road we weren’t supposed to turn into, I didn’t have enough room to turn and jumped the curb and the guy couldn’t care less and handed me my license. It was partly his fault but point is, many of the dmv examiners aren’t there to fail you, quite the opposite actually.
ChiTruckDGAF@reddit
I don't know, they let me come back the next week and try it again.
Savagemocha@reddit
That’s the test though
Cardinal_350@reddit
I passed my DOT driving exam alley dock after 7 days of training. Never pulled a trailer before in my life before I showed up for school. Some people aren't equipped for the job.
DrillTheThirdHole@reddit
i can run circles in reverse now, but i think 2 weeks is too early to tell, unless they havent even made progress on the straight back.
TruckinSammy@reddit
You do realize that it’s generally the job of the school to equip a student for the job, right?
Cardinal_350@reddit
Some people just don't pick shit up. This person didn't mention how hard they are failing. I'd imagine if this company has already invested in them this far and then sent them home they just don't see it working out.
A_CA_TruckDriver@reddit
A student failing to do a task they’re supposed to be taught is a failure on the teacher, not the student.
december151791@reddit
Can confirm.
The first time I took my CDL test I failed because of the alley dock. After that they gave me a new instructor for a couple of days who actually showed me how I could do it better. The next time I took the test I got a perfect score on backing.
Cutmeinfor25@reddit
To be fair you can’t teach common sense though and some people can drive truck and some people can barely drive cars.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
I feel like I could have gotten it if I had been given the practice time. I went in with 0 trailer experience, let alone 53’, and was able to pick up straight lines and offsets in the first week. Drove for 4.5 hours, including interstate in Columbus, my second week with minor issues that were just lack of experience operating a vehicle that size. I was doing pretty well at parallels (I think). It’s just not having practice on alley dock that was killing me.
Cutmeinfor25@reddit
To be fair you can’t teach common sense though and some people can drive truck and some people can barely drive cars.
NuttNDButt@reddit
that sucks man. sorry you had that experience. education is far overlooked in this industry. I went to a great/accredited school and payed a pretty penny for it. graduation was apart of their guarantee, not a sketchy way but as in “we will train and test you until you meet state expectations. look for a school like that and it will be worth it. i also feel like i was set up for success beyond the state test too.
Then join Schneider. You wont make alot of money, but they have a solid education and training pipeline for new drivers. work with them for 3-6 months and the sky is the limit for you.
EquivalentRude9364@reddit
2 weeks is a short time to get all maneuvers and pre trip down. Dont give up bro you got this.
Bamfurlough@reddit
I've been driving for almost 20 years and I can count on one hand the number of alley docks I've had to do. I could probably do one if I really had to, but I'm not sure I could do it quickly enough to pass some sort of training test
I guess you'll just have to find another place to continue your training. I've heard really good things about Community College programs. But honestly i don't really know that much about getting your CDL at this point in my career.
cnash@reddit
Do I have the vocabulary wrong, or isn't an alley dock the maneuver you use to park in a space at a truck stop? That's absolutely a critical job skill, even if you're not bumping literal docks day in, day out.
ADrunkChef@reddit
Texas, they only test straight/offset/parallel. My instructor had a solid 30 years under his belt, fantastic instructor, but he'd always tell us "Don't worry about parallel, I can't think of more than 3 times I've ever had to parallel."
I had to parallel a loaded 53' split axle flatbed the very first morning I was in my trainers truck. I did it 3 more times over the next week. I still end up doing it a couple times a month. I've never once alley docked, but you don't really do that with splits....
Bamfurlough@reddit
A parallel park backing maneuver can come in very handy at a lot of various rest areas along I-80 and other places. I've definitely done it more than a few times.
Bamfurlough@reddit
If it makes you feel any better I'm a 20-year vet and I failed my CDL test like three times when I went to get it from my state of residence.
NitroBike@reddit
Only time I ever had to alley dock was during my CDL test
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
The HR lady who is basically management told me last week “Yeah, all of our maneuvers are designed around our freight! So if you don’t succeed here, you might succeed somewhere else!”
And then gaslit the fuck out of me today when I said I didn’t have enough alley dock practice.
expostfacto-saurus@reddit
I'm a lurker here (labor history guy at a community college). We have a cdl program that is great. Check out CC's for these programs :) Heck, we had a program a couple semesters ago that offered free training (not the case at my school now, but check around).
seem92@reddit
Almost the Same thing happened to me when I was trying to get hired by Schneider. Dude couldn't back and needed to be directed and they passed him. When I back I would get it in but the instructor always had a remark like if it was a row of trailers here you would have hit them or your backing is dangerous. Never hit anything and always got it in but they let me go. It was even a guy they passed that hit a trailer.
SuperPen4066@reddit
I failed my test 6 times I’m good now though but yeah it be like that don’t give up
t0ke-400@reddit
I'll agree with the amount of people in trucking schools its almost impossible to get the practice you need to graduate in the time frame they try to advertise, But i've never heard of a trucking school just straight up kicking you out, when i was in training i met people who had been there for 2+ months because the academy was backed up or they just couldn't get it, I was fortunate enough to be working somewhere where i had access to a truck ( I would sneak in to practice) i would go for an hour or 2 late at night and practice my 90° and straight back in the 53 while at school we were using a 48 , Just keep going, I remember i felt hopeless plenty of times and the pre trips felt impossible to remember, But its just technique, intent and what you truly want, You got this. Come with game 💯
YaBoiAggroAndy@reddit
Wtf is this industry coming to when you can NOT ONLY get fired from training, but have to get an offer to continue…. Idk where your doing your training but where ever it is ain’t it
sxatr@reddit
Damn that’s shitty.. I would say go to swift. Yeah they have a bad reputation online and are a meme in trucking but these instructors here are the best and actually care about you getting your CDL and will help you in any way that they can.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
Swift rejected me for my background.
SuperTruckerTom@reddit
Find a forklift to driver program somewhere. I did it at XPO 31 years ago when it was Con-Way. We have 6 guys at Estes in Ellenwood GA doing it right now. They're yard switching with day cabs and getting paid to do it. 8 to 10 hours a day. Then they have some classroom work.
ZealousidealIssue593@reddit
Are you able to afford a private trucking school? I paid cash for mine and got a 1000 dollar discount when I spoke to one of the office guys over the phone. It was originally 4000 but they said it would be 3000 if I paid in cash. Pulled out 2400 and gave them the other the next week. Took me 3 months to get my cdl lol. Learned how to drive a 10 speed no manual restriction. I wasn't good at double clutching until the end and they didnt have time to teach me how to float.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
I definitely cannot afford to pay out of pocket for any schooling. I’m living in my dying truck. That’s why I went for the CDL. A sleeper is a big upgrade from a Ram.
Currently trying to sleep at the Pilot but there’s an absolute specimen of society idling a class 8 International next to me on the auto side.
ZealousidealIssue593@reddit
Damn I feel for you man. If you really want to i would suggest trying out a mega carrier. Once you get a job at least you would have a place to live and you can save up money for your own place after you get a year and apply to local trucking jobs.
ComfortableStock1824@reddit
I had the same thing happen to me with a cryogenic job, only difference is I dipped out because I didn’t wanna walk on egg shells everyday. Basically I’m used to the regular pto engine so they retrained me on the hydraulic pump. I got it down packed easily but they complained because I didn’t do it “their way” I even dumbed down my process and did it their way they still found something to complain about but yet they were comfortable enough to have me drive, unloading the product and do all the paperwork but complain behind my back to the manager. In so many words, they poisoned the well to the point the manager didn’t believe I had experience in it (3 years by the way) and tbh that pissed me off what do I have to lie for or better yet he could’ve drove with me to see for himself, he kept questioning my experience and also saying “I have other guys jumping at the opportunity if your not gonna take it serious” I personally think the guy training me probably wanted to plug his buddy in and get me out the way…..don’t feel bad something else will come around u dodged a bullet, keep your head up 🙏🏽
MajorLeagueJenga@reddit
Really feel bad for you guys now that “school” is necessary for a CDL
UncleTrucker1123@reddit
Just keep pushing forward my guy; when I started driving I couldn’t back to save my life without a spotter, then one day after a few months of driving it just “clicked”. I’ve been driving for 10 years now, and I can easily back into some of the most ridiculously tight areas better than I if I had a single dock in an open field with lit up dock lines like an airport runway (don’t ask me why it’s like this, but I’m sure a lot of other drivers can attest to this as well😂).
Just find another place that will give you the time to learn and practice, and remember that just because that dude’s hand was held in training doesn’t necessarily guarantee he’s going to make it in the industry in the long term. Anyone can drive a truck, but not everyone can be a truck driver.
Warm_Flight5164@reddit
you’ll be fine bro, sounds like you just didn’t have a good trainer/trainers. not sure if you’re going to a training school to get it or through a company but i got my CDL A in a manual back in 2023 and thankfully got a really good trainer. he would also bitch us out and stuff while we were driving and trying to park lmao but it was only because he was trying to push us.
i was the youngest in the class with absolutely 0 experience driving a manual and backing up a big truck, and now i can put it in the hole like it’s nothing. if i can do it you can. we actually had a guy on test day that had the worst time backing up so he had to come back but he eventually passed.
you really just need to find the right trainer in my opinion and most importantly stick at it, i knew another guy in school that ended up passing his test after like 3 tries? it’ll come.
Known-Brain-6862@reddit
That’s absurd. I’d raise hell or just honestly go to a truck stop unless you know someone who owns a truck and just ask a trucker for some help. A few hours with a trainer and you should have a much better idea. Even if it takes 20 goals getting it in the hole is a job done! I’m sorry that happened.
CorholioPuppetMaster@reddit
I’ve been out with my trainer for three weeks, his clutch gave out on him and I’ve been sitting in a hotel room for a week and a half while his truck is in the shop. A week before that his DEF pump gave out and we sat in a hotel for a day. I’ve only backed a few times and only drove less than 50 hours so far
Laurens_hubby10@reddit
I went to Schneider in 2002, had a very similar experience. I had an instructor that was on the phone with his girlfriend, feet propped up on the dash in the passenger seat, and then he’d call his wife. I believe you had a week to complete the driving portion and have your license by the end of the week. I failed. 2016 was a different story. I have an uncle at 70 who failed out of at least 5 training programs and had success with number 6, he got his class B.
If you really want to do it, it’s just a matter of time. Let no one stop you, but you.
brgr94@reddit
I went to my local technical college it was only $2k and it was covered by a random grant. They had plenty of good equipment and we got 175 contact hours. My instructor told us that he used to train for swift and they have so much turnover because the course is only 2 weeks and they pretty much have to focus solely on the students that “get it” and couldn’t really spend much time on the students that didn’t get it right out of the gate. Try a tech college. It took me the full 6 weeks to get the hang of alley docking. But one day it literally just clicked and i knew exactly how to back that trailer. Keep trying don’t give up 💯.
alcol100@reddit
I’ve read through some of your comments. You’re in Ohio. State of Ohio demands CDL schools hand over test scores and other such things, including your backing grades. They only allow 2 GOALs and 2 pull-ups for state testing. In the past few years, Ohio has severely cracked down on CDL training. Most places were testing at third party sites, because no one could pass at the state testing centers. Now the majority of all students are required to test at state testing facilities with just outright insane testing/maneuvering/driving standards. Your problem right now isn’t the school, it’s Ohio. I guarantee you it’s Ohio. A person at my trucking school failed at the state testing center like 8 times in a row before he went to a 3rd party testing center, and would you imagine that? He passed with flying fucking colors. Unfortunately it seems like the state of Ohio might have their hands around the neck of whatever company you’re training at. They probably failed student and equipment audits in the past few years and Ohio said no more. Along with the Trumpster cracking down on illegal aliens and people unable to speak/read/write English in the US driving trucks, he’s basically given states the freedom to crack down on everything in the trucking world.
According-Scholar-36@reddit
I’ve been on both sides of this. But as an instructor now, I’ll tell you this truth. If an instructor doesn’t see your struggles in learning, they are not utilizing all their abilities to reach you. They lack compassion. There are very few that are unreachable to teach. You were never truly taught.
Few-Chemical-5165@reddit
So are they gonna reimburse you? Some of what you've paid to be trained because they haven't fulfilled their end of the bargain. By taking you to the full end of it. So I think you deserve some money back for that since they essentially fired you.
Few-Chemical-5165@reddit
Or are you talking about a company that you have just gone to that failed your training? I may have misread sorry?
kennnnnnnny@reddit
Hey man don’t feel bad it took me lots of practice. Shit it took me five attempts at the driving portion to get my CDL. Don’t give up!
Monicatt-1971@reddit
Don't let it get you down! I know people been driving for some time, including myself..all professional drivers use GOAL'S. I understand that for test purposes there are limitations. Some people need extra practice to get a clear understanding. If I were you I would go straight to my local employment agency and apply for the WIOA grant. It's a federal grant that will cover the cost of your tuition and licensing fees and you do not have to pay it back! I cannot stress enough that you need to make sure you enroll in an accredited school. They are usually a little more expensive..not that it will matter to you bc the the grant will cover it but my experience as a former student and instructor at CDL School is the ones that charge a little more will not leave you behind if you are struggling bc it looks bad on them when they are audited. Just a tiny glitch but your options are not yet spent..go get your CDL driver and be safe when you do..your welcome!
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
I’m going to find whatever options I can tomorrow.
The CDL was my path out of homelessness. Sleeping in a sleeper cab is miles above sleeping in a Ram 1500.
My Ram is dying, three wheels in the grave, on borrowed time. Oil pressure just bottomed out on the interstate. Thankful it didn’t stall out because when it does, it locks the steering since the engine isn’t running. No brakes at that point either since it’s running off residual pressure. Limped it three miles to the Pilot and it stalled out the second I got in the parking lot.
DM_RavenKin@reddit
Also mate ive done an alley dock maybe twice in 4 years. Maneuver is fucking retarded. If you have room to alley you have room to modify a 45 and do it easier
ddp70@reddit
Totally agree with you. 30 years driving, retired now, and “alley dock” maybe a dozen times. These DOT road tests are equally stupid. 4 points and you fail? Ridiculous. I never cared how many times I had to pull up or get out and look. Don’t hit anything. That’s the mission. Teach these folks real life trucking.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
Didn’t even get to learn 45s because they save that for week 3 on.
DM_RavenKin@reddit
Yeah I'll never understand that personally. It's the most used on the road. I was just up at walnut creek making a delivery this morning and drove past on my way out. Didn't see anyone on a Monday. I was gonna stop in (mainly cause it woulda been really funny) and bullshit with Mike and rodney
justdan76@reddit
That’s a bullshit school. It was a long time ago, but the one I went to allowed extra practice on weekends and evenings, however much you needed to pass your tests.
You don’t learn to alley dock by watching it once and trying to do it twice.
Speak to the management
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
Management is a family member of the owner. Doesn’t have a CDL. The training coordinator doesn’t have a CDL. Explained I felt I didn’t meet expectations because I wasn’t given enough practice time on alley dock. They didn’t like that answer.
MyOwnChemicalRomance@reddit
Lol people who have never spent time driving for a.living have bj o business teaching it to people. To be fair though, all CDL mills teach is the bare minimum needed to pass the state test. Honestly the whole thing is fucked. Don't want to give them anymore ammo to pusg self driving shit tho ...that's a whole other topic . I'm rambling. Sorry.
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oasuke@reddit
Hah, during my training I didn't even get time to do an alley dock at all, and I was the worst backer in the class. They just said there's not enough time and sent me with a trainer anyway. Here I am 6 years later. I wouldn't let it get to you, and it definitely doesn't mean you can't do it. Go for another CDL school that pays you.
Pepsi_Truck@reddit
Keep your head up and ignore the negative stuff You got a bad hand man, it happens. Take it on the chin and count your blessings you dodged that ship before it took off. Failure sucks but like you said, you got thrown to the wolves while others were herded
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
I’m actually glad now that a former employee has chimed in on this thread.
justaskin_x2@reddit
My son had the same thing happen to him and 2 other trainees. For the test, 1 guy got to use the only truck the company ever uses and trained in, while the rest had to use some random bs truck God only knows where they found it. First guy had an easy going dude test him, the rest got some bitch. They had to go through training 2 more times, forget why, more bs. Meanwhile drivers were leaving screwing them out of rank. It's a crap shoot this trucking game.
But they're excellent drivers and making good money even though they get screwed regularly and have crap schedules.
It's good experience and you'll expand your horizons doing the job. If you make it through this, you're set to be successful in anything you decide to do in the future. Hang in there.
Savagemocha@reddit
Where were you trying to go?
LetMeReload@reddit
Beautifully said
Rayunex@reddit
This is going to sound stupid, but look into an app called My Trucking Skills. It helped me understand concepts a bit better. It's an amazing app.
confusedbystupidity@reddit
Ally docking is they main skill, if they had too many students in your class I can see why some would fail out, but I had the advantage of working in an Amazon yard, and they asked me if I wanted a cdl. So I had slight parking experience... best thing to do is find a way to practice your docking...
popo22194@reddit
Schneider?
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
It’s a local Ohio company that does OTR reefer. Shouldn’t be hard to find.
Financial-Prize9691@reddit
Dude you totally dodged a bullet. GOAL 100 times if you need to. Never heard that stuff before.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
That’s what I’ve been saying the whole time. The shipper/receiver doesn’t give a shit how many times you had to GOAL or pull up. All that matters is it’s in there and you didn’t hit anything.
Turning CDL schooling into some dumbass rules based thing rather than actual driver training isn’t it.
ChiTruckDGAF@reddit
I mean they might not be pleased with it taking forever but they'll be more pissed if you fuck up and hit something, then it will take a lot longer.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
Right. I wasn’t saying it should take an hour to do a five minute maneuver but it’s not a big deal if you need to GOAL that one extra time to avoid hitting something.
beastlike@reddit
Well you need to pass the cdl test, which limits your GOALs and pull ups so its not bad to have them in mind while you train.
But for them to take it that seriously while teaching you is stupid. The school I went to we paid out of pocket for, you had pretty much as much time as you would need even when sharing with 4 or 5 other people.
They would tell us to get the maneuver down, pull up and GOAL as much as you need until it clicks. With some decent instruction and fair time you know within a few weeks if youre capable or not.
Depending on how fast youre progressing then you start treating it like the real thing for as long as you can. At least that seems like the best way to do it to me.
Temporary_Choice1617@reddit
KLLM sound like
Fresh_Historian_2851@reddit
LMAO. That CDL school sucked then, because even after you graduate. you will not be able to fully understand how to alley dock until you get your skin in the game. Ignore all negativity from the school. They are designed to get you in and out and do not care if you succeed or not. Just count it as a blessing and go to another school or CDL training that will be patient with you. The last thing that you want is to be pushed through the CDL training only to fail at the CDL exam. just stay positive and move on
NohUsurName@reddit
Find a new school or training program?
I assume the contract you already signed has no refunds. Hopefully you’re not on the hook for a large sum.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
You sign the contract on day 1 but it’s post dated to go into effect the first day of week 3, so at least I don’t owe $7000.
TheFrogsMightbegay@reddit
Roehl? I went through the Appleton training back in late 2021 I almost failed and got sent home. They offered to let me leave early and not have to pay or keep going fail and pay. I surprisingly passed on the first test. Keep your head up, man! Look into getting a class b CDL I have my A but I do trash right now which only requires a b and the money is good
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
I’ve considered getting my B and then going back for A later.
Is there any process for actually getting a B? It seems like every training opportunity that’s company sponsored is targeted at A.
RumpelFrogskin@reddit
Look into city bus driving. Most places pay to train for your CDL B. Not sure what state you are in but they are desperate for DR vers in my state/city.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
I’ve actually looked into it prior in Akron, OH with Metro RTA. Last I knew, their hourly pay scale was actually pretty decent looking for what it was.
RumpelFrogskin@reddit
It can be. TriMet bus drivers in Oregon earn an average of $33.70 per hour. Salaries range from $28.22 per hour for new hires to over $35 per hour with experience
TheFrogsMightbegay@reddit
I don’t know any particular process, but I do know if you’re unemployed that there’s a way to get a CDL for free through the state. Some garbage companies will help you get a Class B. I think republic does that.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
I’ll have to look into Republic tomorrow. Pretty sure they operate near-ish to me.
ClaireSquared@reddit
I work for republic and can confirm they do offer CDL b training
Lopsided-Move6309@reddit
Leave right now, rather owe half than the full amount. I failed at swift in 2013 and owed 4k. I waited some years after and went to a community college in 2019 to learn. Better student/teacher ratio, only cost 1.7k at the time. Passed, and have been driving since then. I remember another guy quit by the halfway point and only owed half, I was stubborn and thought I could turn it around. Basically, I had the same problem you seem to, I'm guessing they have too many students and not enough time to share the trucks. The community college gave me more time to learn enough to pass and I wasn't on the hook for a contract afterwards.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
It’s a shit setup. Trucks are used based on your week. If there’s just you, you get all the seat time. Five people in your week? You’re all splitting the same amount of seat time the person in a week by themselves is getting.
Crazy_Repair_9437@reddit
Well..I was going to recommend the school I went to, Drivers Edge, but apparently they closed down. It was in Piqua, and classes were so small that after some people quit we each had our own truck and just went around in circles practicing each move and getting the feel for the truck allll day long. I would say do some digging, and find the smallest student-teacher ratio you can. I learned the most not from the owners, but the hillbilly bullhauler on staff when he went on the road with us. His favorite word when learning to shift was "finesse". I'd be yanking that damn shifter like you wouldn't believe 🤣. He'd go "finesse Joe finesse!!"
Recall_Newsom@reddit
I’m glad I found a school a few years ago that allowed me to take my time and practice on weekends for a few months until I was ready to test, Maybe you can find a school like that. 2 weeks is too much pressure especially if there’s a lot of other students in the class.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
It’s not even two weeks to get your CDL. It’s a 5-ish week program with CDL in week 3/4. They just expect you to master all of their maneuvers (minus 45s) in the first two weeks.
Recall_Newsom@reddit
I understand most of them are like that, I was only suggesting there’s some schools that allow people to take their time to master everything before taking the big test.
ThanatosGod0001@reddit
Which company was this with? So I can avoid once I get into a program lol
ogloc1995@reddit
Do you have your cdl or was this your first job?
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
I went in with my permit. They structure it so you don’t get your CDL until after you’re locked into that contract, so no CDL yet.
opinionated_penguin@reddit
Join FFE in Lancaster, TX if they still have their school. Have never heard a bad thing about it
Own_Recognition_2994@reddit
smh pay for truck driving schools is a scam every state has a community colledge program that will pay you free of charge to go to school. you just have to find it and meet the requirements.
Substantial_Steak704@reddit
I been driving a year and still struggle with alleydock
Lost-Astronaut-8280@reddit
If at first you don’t succeed…
EscapeWestern9057@reddit
If this is a company training to CDL for you to work for them, I'd say, go to an actual CDL school you pay for. They'll be invested in you learning and doing well because you're the customer instead of the company.
Old_Low4358@reddit
If it makes you feel any better, I was considered one of the best if not THE best in my 88M training for the army. 88M=trucking. We do pintle hook off-road tactical vehicles called “LHS” or “PLS”, then the second half we do tractor trailers.
The off-road vehicles has a hook arm for loading flat racks. I made the dumbest mistake they drill into our heads NOT to do which is shutting the truck off with the hook arm still down. The rest of my class and friends moved on to tractor trailer and I got rolled backwards 4 weeks worth of training.
Had to restart with a whole new class and meet new people, and redo the slow process alllll over again. I eventually continued on to be super proficient in both classes. Yea it fucking sucked large sized balls, but, there is nothing you can do except re-do it. I watched men and women who are literally AWFUL at CDL and shouldn’t even touch a wheeled vehicle move on genuinely believing I sucked and that they’re more skilled.
It was what it was. I’m a sergeant now and can out-do many people at my job.
Ok_Bug_6470@reddit
You pissed off the wrong person. I’ve done it. We all have. It’s Big fish small pond. Or maybe you’re an ahole? They got your money tho right?
Gonzotrucker1@reddit
You’re thinking too much. Just back it in without thinking about steps some book tells you.
NameThatDrug@reddit
Prime inc isn’t a bad choice.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
I was in school. I have a permit and a physical but not a CDL.
NameThatDrug@reddit
Take a look at prime inc. it isn’t a bad choice for school and first company.
Secret-Grab4381@reddit
Ill second this as a prime driver still in his first year driving it really is a good start and company to train for cdls with i didnt come through the cdl program.as I got mine through a private cdl school but from what I see most all students will get their own trainer that teaches them the maneuvers and most everything in the truck for cdl testing so it really would be a good choice for OP to look at Prime for sure
mariamad89@reddit
That means ur instructors failed you. I am sorry that happened!
Sufficient_Tooth_949@reddit
Don't give up find a new company they'll still hire you
You can also consider class b jobs that are local if you see any openings
Its not you, backing is hard plain and simple, it takes years to be truly confident
CaptBreeze@reddit
Don't let it beat you down. There's something better out there waiting for you.
BackstrokeVictim@reddit
That sort of crap happens all the time. When I went back to my CDL school for my manual endorsement, they were testing my ability to drive a rig on a busy highway with less than 20 minutes of prior experience. Keep your head up
Madelyn_Rose89@reddit
I got rejected by Swift because an anti depressant I take that’s also prescribed for anti-seizure and they didn’t care to ask for a doctor’s note. I got out to TMC in February and froze my ass off in -20 degree weather in the yard dealing with the same bullshit instructors who didn’t want to teach
I just got hired on at Performance Food Group CDL training. It’s physical work but you can be right near 6 figures. I’m also fortunate that I only have to work 4 days a week and have weekends off…home daily. That’s unheard of for CDL Trainees.
Keep your head up. I’m fueled by those who have told me “you can’t”.
Madelyn_Rose89@reddit
Sorry I was reading other comments. I’m out of our Mansfield OH hub. We’re just by the Ohio Reformatory. We have people from NE Ohio who work for us but theirs also Performance Food Service in Cleveland but they’re a bit more grunt work for not much better pay.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions
BaseballDue9043@reddit
That's sucks! I went through Steven's Transport CDL school in Dallas, and you got as much practice as you needed and only graded on your cdl exam. There were a few who got kicked out, but it was because they failed pre trip like 6 times. Stevens was a shit show to drive for, but their driving school is top-notch! They want you to succeed and will work with you one on one if you're having issues with a particular maneuver. There Also a 3rd party tester, meaning you take your written and driving exam with them at their school.
BugO_OEyes@reddit
I got kicked out of Schneiders training program in pa when I first started. Keep your head in the game
You'll bounce back
Moist_Position_9462@reddit
Yeah CDL school is rough. I think I only got to practice backing for like a total of like 2 or 3 hours the whole time I was there. Everything else was watching others perform the maneuvers and learn from “their mistakes” but really none of it looks the same from inside the cab and out. I was lucky I started as a yard dog so I had the concept down I just needed to translate it from a small yard truck to a full fledged sleeper.
Tough_Yard7088@reddit
Call Steven’s Transport in Dallas they will teach you all you need to know..
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
If my truck would survive the drive, I would seriously consider heading south.
Efficient_Ostrich_54@reddit
All things happen for a reason.
Present-Ambition6309@reddit
Sounds like my school except they would pull you out of the truck, cuss you out, send you home and best have your shit together the next morning.
Just talk to them tomorrow. Most drivers got a short temper, they probably do as well. Gotta have thick skin in this industry and when you hear “No” you keep on knocking louder.
I was the type the one day everything was great, the next day sometimes a shit! The owner yanked me out and asked if I was jerking his chain. He thought I was just fucking around. I took 2 piss test a week for 4 weeks plus the one before class starts 🤣. We all don’t learn the same and at the same pace. Remind them of that.
A toy tractor n trailer helped me gather the fundamentals of what was taking place during my backing. Just this idiots experience.
NitroBike@reddit
Sounds like an awful school. My school had only 28ft trailers for us to use and I struggled so much backing up. it wasn’t until the end of the week right before my test that I finally got it.
fleetingreturns1111@reddit
Same man. Same. Couldn't meet it too. Now what the fuck am I gonna do? Worse still I got word my friend died in a car crash yesterday. I scraped a road sign I didn't even know today was the road test. My brain was cooking in the heat and I couldn't concentrate on coupling and uncoupling
MR_6OUIJA6BOARD6@reddit
I have those days where I have all the room in the world and still can't back in the trailer. Don't beat yourself up, and keep hustlin that trailer.
MasterpieceAmazing87@reddit
Talk to the supervisor or whoever runs that shit show
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
HR is a family member of the owner so that was a dead end. Asked me why I felt I didn’t meet expectations and I said I felt I didn’t have enough practice time on alley dock. She didn’t like that answer.
Frenchie1001@reddit
So you didn't cut it and it's everyone else's fault? I came in here to say it's not for everyone and maybe you should consider a different path but they attitude is what 90% of drivers have
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
It feels a little fucked when you’re not actually given the opportunity to succeed. Instructors would hold this dudes hand every step of the way and then just leave me to figure it the fuck out. Huff and puff when I’d ask for advice because they’d have to get out of the Gator, off TikTok, and stand in the sun.
Everheart1955@reddit
Here’s the thing, somebody was paying these assholes to teach you, and they didn’t. As a company owner I’d want to know about their phone time while I was in class.
Frenchie1001@reddit
Checking out this story is not
Auquaholic@reddit
Some schools really do suck. If you really want to get your cdl, go somewhere else. Since you were never hired by said company, just leave it out of your app info. Start over. If you're in Texas, by chance, C1 was a good school 15 years ago, and it hear it's still a good school. Plus, you can get sponsored thru Drivers Solutions. Can't remember the site, but they have several companies that they work with. And, you'll learn on a manual. Good luck.
Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)
I technically was hired by the company. They hire everybody on day 1 as a driver.
HumanVsWorld@reddit
Wtf 2 weeks how my school did it we had 6 weeks to learn everything if they show us how to do it a couple times and we just practiced on the yard everyday til we get it or needed help there was no time limit other then the 6 weeks til the state test
OrganizationNo6167@reddit
You dodged a bullet
orwass@reddit
Most of the training for CDL schools are ass my school was crap it took me 3 times to get my CDL from the DMV just keep your head up don’t give up