RoadMaster Tampa, Florida (Night Classes)

Hiyas everyone,

I've been researching schools around in my area (Auburndale/Lakeland), and found that the best option would be RoadMaster.
---------

Now I've been reading these forums, and researching truck driving for around a month before I actually went to any type of recruiter of a school. When I made up my mind I went to RoadMaster in Tampa, Fl. Before I enrolled though, I checked the trucks to see the condition. I parked on top of the casino parking garage to scout out what kind of movements they were doing. And after all that I went into their office to enroll. I went in at 4:00pm, enrolled by 5pm, and began my first class at 6pm (same day). This post is to describe my first impression of RoadMaster, and are my sole opinions.

--

Sense I've been researching, I told the recruiter he could "cut out" the salesmen pitch. I already knew the cost, and how I could afford it. I knew the likelyhood of me getting a job after/before graduation, and the only way he was going to lose this "sale" was to talk me out of the school.

Once the recruiter heard this, he relaxed from Salesmen Mood, to someone who just wanted to explain the details of the school and started talking about his own experiences as a trucker. He was very upfront and honest (from what I could tell). There was alittle concern though when a fellow recruiter met him in the halls and gave him a high-five, for signing up 3 people in 1 day. But hey, it's their business to get people enrolled, so no big deal.

Sense the class was starting at 6pm that day, they quickly did the paper work to get me enrolled.

Day 1: Paper work/DoT Physical/Drug Screening/Logs/PTI/Cab Check --- The Physical and Drug Screening are on site, and fairly quick and painless. Of course there was paperwork to fill out but nothing overwhelming. After everyone completed their physical/Drug Test and TAB test, we began filling out drivers logs for the last 7 days to the present. The instructor was very clear and light hearted. He never once had an intimdating statue. He answered everyone's questions (I asked a few dumb ones), but neither-the-less he answered them without making me feel dumb for asking.

After the logs were completed (and after the break). He started telling us about the PTI and Cab Checks. What to look for and etc. He started telling us what the examiers may look for, and expect on test day as well. After that we headed to the yard to give us a visual of what he taught us about PTIs. (Openning the hood and showing us the components that needed checked, and going down the trailer and teaching us what certain parts are and what they're used for) .

We then proceeded into the cab for the Cab Check. He first went behind the wheel and did a break check, making sure the springs would engage and etc. What he did next was extremely awesome, he let me get behind the wheel and do the same. (Not so awesome, but alittle intimidating). After some helpful hits from my fellow classmates I completed everything he did. We had to get back into the classroom due to the instructor's boss showing up and telling him we weren't suppose to be behind the wheel yet. (HA! Opps).

Once back into the classroom (now 11:30) he taught us about Recap in the logs and ended the class.

----------

My impression so far:

If he keeps going over things in detail, and keeps his light-hearted/caring nature, then I believe I'll have no problems learning from him and look forward to whatever he has to teach me.
---

Until tonight!

 

That we were off duty. HA... have no idea why we had to log that... maybe practice? I work for a company that employs drivers and I have to take care of driver logs, so no big deal. But your guess is as good as mine.

 

That makes sense!

Thank ya!

 

Hiyas! I havent updated this threat sense day one. Main reason I’ve been busy with work during the day and school TDDS at night.

Here’s a little update:
After the first day we began to receive demos about what we’re going to be doing. For example, the instructor took us around the track talking about shifting and driving. Then he brought us to the backing course to show us our parrels/allies/abstract left/right. Then we began the long road of doing PTIs. We learned how to do a PTI the entire week until Sunday when we had our test (All students pasted). After we completed our test on Sunday we still had half the day to kill. So we loaded up and went driving around in traffic (we had practiced shifting for 3 days straight while learning PTI). For my first time I didn’t do that bad. I was nervous because of the narrow streets, and considering we are literally right next to the casino, I was worried about snowbirds, and drunk drivers. But all-in-all I did pretty well. Didn’t lock the brakes, hit any polls, or cars. My shifting was a little better than where it should be for a first time on the road, so I was pleased. But one thing I must work on, is placing the shifter in the right gear instead of throwing it. After each driving lesson my arm literally feels like I just threw a 9 inning game.
Sunday is our backing test, and one thing I do NOT like about night classes… It is very hard to see lines at night on dim pavement. Especially if it rains, forget about it.
But good news, I received a conditional offer from Roehl. Took my DoT physical and now just waiting for graduate so I can go to the orientation. Can’t wait! J
Until Next time!