Profile For Boots&Bludog

Wow so much has transpired since my last post. I had to keep a focus on school and wrangling up whatever odd jobs for income, hence letting such a time lapse in posting here. With that let me bring things up to date.

After two attempts passed at DMV on July 28th. Three's a charm!

Took time out to visit with ailing parents and get my house together for leaving OTR. During school had spoke with various recruiters local and OTR and had pretty much made my mind up to apply with Knight, May & Werner and in that order for preference. Once I found out who would get the bludog on board the soonest, the order changed to May, Werner & Knight. Then of course the care for the bludog whilst in training went and changed up on me. By this time I was 5th on the waiting list for May and wanting to hold out even though Werner was ready for me when I was ready for them. Knight ....well let's just say they were no longer in the running on my list. It took almost two weeks to progress from 5th to 4th and at that rate I was feeling impatient to get the show on the road. So I recalled yet another company that I had met a trainer briefly months prior to passing at DMV. We had gone so far as to exchange phone #'s and he was introduced to me by the owner of the school I was attending. Of course this came to me in the middle of a sleepless night so I got on the laptop and applied and followed up with a simple text message to trainer. Woke up the next morning to a very early call from a recruiter telling me the trainer had already been in the office and set everything up for me to train in a week and a half. That was four days ago. Yesterday around noon I got a call from May saying they were ready for me to be in Salem, OR. on this Tuesday! Now I was really unsure of what to do. I had really devoted myself to May in my head but when I really thought about it my gut said go with the trainer that set everything up already. I made a call to the owner of the school and he helped put things into perspective and confirm I was on the right track with my thoughts. At this time I know the trainer I had met has been at training for a very long time. He has a proven track record not only with his current company but also with the school I had attended. With me being a complete newbie I figure the top priority should be in the training. So called May to thank them for working with me so far but I had found another company that I will be going with. And yes I had also called Werner with the same thanks. Now it gets better. Today I got a call from my trainer and he is routed through Reno so he will be able to pick me up and deliver me to SLC for orientation! See ya Greyhound! Although if I wanted I could have taken Amtrack and been reimbursed the fare upon arrival in SLC. Greyhound to location is prepaid but train is not since Greyhound will refund the company for a no show where as the train will not. Tomorrow I meet with the trainer and departure is scheduled for Wednesday early morning. Now make no mistake I know I will have a lot of learning ahead of me and I fully mean to make the best of my training but I'm not going to feel bad about getting a few perks when they're available. And the company is....Pride Transport.

I am going to post what the pay start is for any that may want a comparison. Orientation and three weeks with the trainer is $450 per week. Forth week until trainer feels the student is ready to solo is driven as team and all "truck miles" are paid to student at 14 cpm. Truck miles mean pay is calculated by the miles the student drives as well as the miles the trainer drives. Recruiter claims team generally average 5000 a week. Roughly $700 a week. By no means is the student required to be team driving after training. Once solo the pay starts at 30 cpm.

To be honest I have not wanted to look further into the pay, mileage and all that. I just want to get on the road before the snow falls, get some miles under me and be the best I can be. I have a tendency to overthink and for me any money inbound this first year is a step up from the last couple of years.

And there you have it. From school to the first job. Took longer in school than I expected, not exactly bragging, lol, however it seems to have been perfect timing to get on with a trainer and company I feel confident with.

Welcome Karen. I'm a complete newbie to the industry but what I've learned in the school that I've attended is that it will vary per type of truck. I mostly trained on double clutching. We were instructed the magic #'s for shifting were 10-1100 and 17-1900. A graduated student informed me that the truck he is in the #'s are lower. I think if I were asked the question I would say it depends on the truck.

If you don't hear another reply to this post I would recommend posting on the General Discussion forum as many more folks will see it and be likely to offer suggestions.

06/04/14 Passed all the endorsements I could and now have a CDL permit in my possession! I will not be able to afford Hazmat right now. I've been told that hazmat drivers usually require more experience than any of the others. No worries I can get it when I can afford it if need be.

After pre-trips I was able to go along in the only running truck out on the road. I have to say it was FUN to drive. I will need to get more familiar with the gears but overall the instructor had lots of compliments for my performance so far. Sure hope it isn't beginners luck.

DAY ? Too many and not enough. It's been a while since I've posted. First and foremost I am embarrassed that I have not progressed further along. I've missed many days being sick and taking on some side jobs to get some income for bills. The school is really struggling along with the failing equipment. This means barely any practice behind the wheel or any practice on the brake tests. Pre-trips are coming along nicely. In cab inspections are also. Still waiting on the updated eyewear to arrive....however I squeeked by taking the eye exam at DMV. Also I've passed the endorsements for Tankers, Doubles and Triples, Combinations and General Knowledge. Alas I have failed the Air Brakes. I'm confident I will pass the air brake next time.

Skills for me are still not consistent. One day I can nail them and the next I fail. I know in my heart it is practice that will make it happen. Currently we have one truck and it needs to either be at DMV or on the road for the students ready to take the test. This means very little practice for those of us that do not even have our permit yet. Hopefully by next week we will have another truck running and by that time I will have my permit.

I want to note that I really enjoy the school for the positive instructors and owner. I have to admit had I known that there was very little equipment for the amount of students I very likely would have signed up elsewhere. At this point instead of getting all worked up over it I am trusting in my lucky stars that there is a reason this is proceeding as such.

In the event anyone is reading this I apologize it is not terribly helpful on a regular basis.

OK, I won't say "it's so simple." Because for some of us it is NOT. However I will say that at some point I will bet that it will come to you, the light will turn on with what you did correct that works for you and then you will be able to repeat it. Sometimes a break or deep breath do wonders and other times it is plain old persistence. I'm having the same trouble with most of the skills. I understand the concept but am really struggling with a difficult clutch, uneven ground and worst of all no time behind the wheel due to truck breakdowns. I know in my heart to not loose faith that it will come to me with practice and patience. You can do it Cole!

Boots

Gee Redgator thanks for the favor! We or I should say I would not like to have someone behind the wheel of these tractor/trailors on the road with me that didn't have their heart in it. Soon you will have a whole pack of students trained by you under your belt and you will feel the pride of knowing they were trained right by you. I would be honored to be your student from what I've read from you on here. Keep up the good work and happy trails and training!

Boots

PS: If I were your student could we get our nails done together, hee hee JK.

Good morning!

OK, to start wow I am happy to hear you still have your fingers! Is it normal to pre-trip with the truck running? So far at school the truck is always off.

Hear in Reno, NV our cement trucks are seasonal as well. Usually I embrace seasonal coming from the horticulture industry. I've got a plethora of projects normally lined up for the winter months when the work hours are slim. However with the economy tanking and the wages with it I no longer find it financially feasible to continue in this field. So along comes the idea to get back into Logistics and this time as a driver.

My first inclination was to stay local with the rock hauling jobs. After talking with a few OTR drivers and gleaning on this site I think it would behoove me to get in that golden "year" I hear of. Staying with the same company and getting the experience that will lead to more opportunities for me is what I need. Seeing your post Debby reminds me of that first inclination and has given me a clearer picture of the physical side of what to expect. So far I think I could do it and like the being physical part but as a 5'2" lightweight I have to be realistic too.

As far as my so called "handicap" for the record that was mostly my fathers negative way of making a big deal out of something I've already addressed and conquered. For now I will keep it off the record publically but anyone who wants more details on that is welcome to PM me. Thank you Debby for the congrats on my success with the above. :-)

I really admire your spunk with your driving and employment record Debby. It is very reassuring to me to see all of the women drivers post on here and the support they offer to us newbies. Sometimes as a female of middle age I tend to have my doubts about my decision and then along comes the positive threads and I feel better. Thankfully the folks at my school are also very encouraging. As has been mentioned the possibilities are endless and I plan to keep an open mind for the decisions I will be making here soon.

I really congratulate your decision to stay local for your son and his father. Cancer really has a mind of it's own and for the survivors that support is everything. Also for the family of survivors support is everything. Never forget to take care of your feelings while going thru this as well Debby. You are a strong woman to have made the decision to stick around and deserve a whole bunch of kudos for it! :-)

Happy Memorial day/weekend, Boots

Congrats! Yeah for another of us girls OTR!

Boots

Cheers Deb!

Thank you for the post. When I told my Dad about me getting my CDL for some reason he went OFF about not being able to handle driving a cement truck. He hammered me with questions about the equipment and pointed out how a previous surgery makes me "handicapped" for performing the duties. This was all before I explained that cement truck was one of many options for me once getting the CDL. I will take pleasure in being better informed if he brings it up again. At first I thought I would prefer the seasonal jobs you mentioned. Now upon considering my lack of experience and current financial needs I will probably go OTR with drybed or reefer. Thank you again for the lady point of view and thanks to Brett for providing the safe place for it!

Boots

Hello Gary,

I also have a similar situation. My post office will hold mail for me and I can set the hold up online. Just enter the dates and even select if I want them to deliver on a certain day or go down and pick it up myself. Most of your utility companies now days will offer to bill you online if you pay online to help keep some of the clutter down.

This time of year it is imperative my landscape gets water and the lawn in front is mowed so as not to look abandoned. I figure I will have to fork out the cost of having someone do that for me. I see this as a plus to have someone keeping an eye on the outside at least a couple times a month. I'm a little bummed but the many houseplants will be going to a new home. :-( The winter is when I will have the water shut off outside and as far as the inside, for me I'm not coming home to having to shovel snow out of the way to get it back on....so that means keeping the utilities up and running albeit on "vacation" mode. I am planning on lining up my neighbors with my contact info in the event of something tragic.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with the Bludog until I can get him on board the truck. I'm currently in a private CDL school and have a bit of time to scope things out but darn if it isn't looking expensive.

Hope this helps and good luck with your endeavors!