Profile For Rob

Life’s a funny thing. After weeks of research and taking sample training and tests to prep for a career in driving a truck I get a phone call from an old friend. “Hey! What’s going on in your world?” My old friend asked. Told him all about how I was tired of catching fish out of the river in my back yard and was ready to drive the country! That’s when he fessed up. We worked together for years with a company that does borehole investigation for mining and environmental work. He had been promoted and was calling me to see if I was interested in coming back to fill a slot. He didn’t exactly lay a horses head in my bed, but made a sweet enough offer that, after a week of internal debate, I gladly said yes. So instead of running the roads and securing loads I’ll be running the roads and inserting probes, into the ground I mean.

So I wanted to say thank you to TT and all the awesome people here. In all the searching when I started this journey I never saw a more professional or helpful outlet to get new drivers headed in the right direction. You’re all a very kind and thoughtful bunch. If somewhere down the road things don’t work out I’ll know exactly where to head. Safe travels to all.

Rob, AKA by my old company and friend: Robzilla 😂 Guess I’ll keep that if I ever get back to trucking.

Nope, no debate here. You toke CBD you roll the dice. 😵‍💫 My anxiety meds have 4 legs and fur 😁

Smoking CBD for anxiety or any other ailment is not illegal. The 2018 farm act made hemp a legal agricultural product. You need to insure that wherever you purchase your CBD hemp is a reputable dispensary and not cousin Tom’s backyard flower shop. CBD hemp growers are restricted to a .04% maximum THC content. Testing looks for the active psychoactive compound THC. Have this discussion with your physician and do some research in the DOT website for verification.

Howdy, Rob!

Entirely 'possible and probable.' HOWEVER, the FMCSA and the DOT have a ZERO tolerance level for ANY trace amounts. It may not be the 'prescriber, but the provider' ... aka: the end line (or ground zero?) vendor. Is it worth YOUR CDL? Not in my house. How CAN one Ensure that the CBD is, in fact, at or below, the 0.04% legality?

I've done a LOT of research on this, personally . . . even though my driver doesn't seek this for treatment. DaveW. has done an article on this; based partially on:

CBD and Trucking

Best to all; I'm not into debates...just the industry/profession!!

~ Anne ~

Smoking CBD for anxiety or any other ailment is not illegal. The 2018 farm act made hemp a legal agricultural product. You need to insure that wherever you purchase your CBD hemp is a reputable dispensary and not cousin Tom’s backyard flower shop. CBD hemp growers are restricted to a .04% maximum THC content. Testing looks for the active psychoactive compound THC. Have this discussion with your physician and do some research in the DOT website for verification.

Hi Tammy,

I had many of the same questions. I found out that by researching the companies info listed here on TT that offer training programs I could narrow it down to those I was most interested in. From there I went to the specific company websites. There, each company outlines in fairly good detail the manner and amount of training. Good luck!

Heck no Anne! That’s why I am here. Looks like family in this house and I’m happy to get advice and leads. I’m in for the long haul😁

Thanks, Rob

Hay, Rob ~

I know I'm sticking my nose in kind of a 'nunya' place, but . .have you looked into Knight? Davy (and Stephen and Bush Country) have 'fresh' diaries in that section, relative...to flatbedding.

Also, Davy's diary is 'almost' complete, and amazing!! (He's Top Gun & Solo now, yet still adds to it, for us 'wannabes!' )

Grand Finale' ~ Our humble yet most astute mod & vet of TT pulls dedicated for Knight, as well. Old School, of course!

(Sorry, O/S . . . had to!!)

Wish you well, whichever road you take . . . safe travels!

~ Anne ~

Cargo van? Length? Using cones? Too many variables but maybe this will help.. Pull forward till your rear guard is even with the front cones. You should be 2ish feet away from cones on passenger side. Turn wheel about 3/4 to one full turn to the right and begin a slow backing maneuver. Watching drivers side mirror while glancing at passenger mirror, when halfway past the front come you should be seeing the outside rear cone in the drivers side mirror. Now counter cut to the left till your left rear guard is aimed just inside of the rear outside cone. At this point is where drivers cut too much or not enough. Watch you right front clearance while keeping your left rear guard just inside the rear outside cone. I’m confused why no one there is working with you on this?

That’s great to hear CT ! Appreciate it.

Had my cdl before I got there but stayed for 2.5 years. Great training and top notch equipment. Highly recommend.

Flatbeds? It’s starting to look that way OS. I’m taking my time to square some personal business away and eat all the great online training I can. November is when I pull the trigger. Doing my research. For now Maverick looks top of the list for me as it’s nearby and I see a lot of professionalism in their training. Also on the list is Millis, Roehl, WilTrans and Prime. It’s tough wading through driver reviews though. Trying to sort sour grapes from plain whine (see what I did there?😁) is not easy.

Having been in the energy exploration business for 15 years, I am well aware of the rigors and demands of long periods away from home, schedule changes and the need to remain flexible while maintaining safety practices and a professional demeanor. I’ve carried a class “C” hazmat and worked under DOT, NRC, MSHA and OSCEA guidelines and regulations. I believe I’ll be a top rate employee and positive addition to any company I come aboard with. Hope to get lucky and find my “forever home”😂 first try. All suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks Rob!

Yeah, it is a real challenge trying to keep up with all the changes needed.

Have you settled where you want to start yet? Are we going to be welcoming you to the world of flatbedding?

As I was reviewing all the great information on trucking companies paying for training that TT has done I noted a discrepancy in Maverick Trucking out of Little Rock. It states the $3000 training fee is taken out at $500/mo then fully reimbursed once the two year contract is fulfilled. I realize there is no way to keep up with all the changes coming daily. So for those interested in Maverick, as I am, here is the current fee structure:

Maverick’s CDL Training program consists of signing a tuition loan agreement of $8,000. This will cover your tuition, housing, meals, tablet and additional equipment while in the program. When repaying Maverick for the loan, you will be responsible for paying $40 a week for 85 weeks. After this, you would have paid Maverick back a total of $3,400. At this point, you have paid in all you will be required to pay. Maverick will continue to forgive $40/week through 115 weeks. Keep in mind, this contract is for 115 weeks or 27 months. Should your employment with Maverick end before you complete your contract, you will owe Maverick the remaining balance.

I’m in Arkansas and I wouldn’t have guessed that. I don’t see the couch and recliner.

Arkansas?

Yep.