The time has come finally to do my class 1 training.
It was initially booked for the 7th of May but we all know it wasn’t possible that time. I started on Wednesday last week.
Was supposed to get there by 8am but my girl took my car and then had to borrow one which didn’t have enough fuel to make the journey so I was late. Rang up and told them so my instructor doesn’t just sit there waiting for a miracle to happen, at least they know what’s what.
So hot there by around 9 o clock. (I live on the other side of Birmingham so it was a 70 mile journey each way.)
My instructor Cliff was a very nice guy the same couldn’t be said about the truck however, especially the gearbox. Bloody Italians. I’m glad that I don’t have to drive an Iveco on a daily basis because I’d feel suicidal, but I don’t think it matters much what you learn in terms of training. I thought jumping from class 2 to class 1 is going to be a big step but it wasn’t the case as much, it’s just a bit longer if anything, but generally speaking it’s the same positioning, braking points etc. Went well.
Then on the second day I was late again because I knocked the alarm off like 3 times. I’m working on afters/nights and finished around 3am so I was tired. Still new record though according to Cliff.
By the end of the second day of training I got too confident so I had to not use the armrest at all because it made me too comfy.
3rd and 4th day I got better and I wasn’t late this time. Test this morning.
I had a brain ■■■■ yesterday at reversing but it went well today. The trailer wasn’t straight but it was in and this is not real life so I got away with it. After the coupling exercise out we went. She took me in a few tight spots and low bridges but everything went ok.
Apart from the first tight junction after the test center she made me turn left and should’ve stopped until the other got green. She told me to stop, could’ve failed me there if she really wanted to but she didn’t so I’m happy.
Other than that right outside the gates we met with the MAN and it was kind of awkward, she told me to go up the kerb, but I just waited for the other trainee to reverse and then got on with it.
Overall it wasn’t too bad. Had 4 minors at the end 1 for planning and awareness 1 for understeering, 1 for stopping too far from the kerb and one as a bonus cuz I don’t remember.
I don’t know if it has been said on here before but I would recommend Peter Smythe Transport Training. Everyone is nice there and they will look out for you.
The only 2 negative things would be the ■■■■■■ iveco gearbox software and the position of the hand dryer in the toilet.
Back to mile munching [emoji16] I’m happy that I finally had my class 1 sorted, it’s been hanging above my head for like the last 9 years [emoji16][emoji16]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
