Profile For Eric G.

Man, that's a bummer to get that far along in the process and then have to drop out and (possibly?) start over.

What are you going to do now? The fact that you stayed as long as you did means you must have to pay them back at least some of the tuition I would think.

Did they say you could return at a future date and try again?

They told me I could reapply later as it was bad timing. They been having a bad time at the C1 in Fort Wayne due to lots of students and instructors who end up quitting. I'm a nurse (was working in corrections) so its not the end of the world. I will get my CDL eventually. I don't know if it was the marketing (get your CDL in 3 weeks) or the "freedom" of seeing America that made me take the plunge too soon.

Well, I hate to say but I didn't get my CDL this time... It has been a logistical nightmare. I didn't get the pretrip down pat so they said no practice driving or anything until it is passed. It changed what was supposed to be just a 3 week course to possibly a 5 week course or longer. I couldn't afford another 2,3, or 4 weeks without some kind of pay. Also, they stated with the all the backlog of 3,4, and 5 week students that it might "be awhile before you can test." Any hoo, I did awesome on my first drive on the city streets. I double clutched so admirably that the instructor kept making me pull to the side of the road to "start from scratch as you seem to have done this before." However, I got VERY little backing practice about 5 minutes total its been about 3 weeks. We had 18 students to a truck. There were days before I even got into the truck. The director of the school got on the platform a few times the past two weeks to state we are sorry for the lack of graduating CDL students as we have lost 4 range instructors and 2 more are on vacation. Also, our range instructor was reprimanded verbally in front of students several times for just yelling instructions and not allowing students to think for themselves on how to back up. He was also a ****** bag for telling students to put a maxi pad between their ******s and blowing cigarette smoke into the cabs. On more than one occasion I have seen several grown men come out of those trucks with their nerves shaking. Anyway, I believe I came to the C1 School in Ft Wayne at a bad time as they were short staffed and had way too many students here. If I had a couple thousand with me other than a couple hundred I probably would of been more successful at this school especially since I was near broke when coming. I think someone should be more financially prepared before making the move, as well. My landlord who owns a trucking company stated he will help me out further. If anyone is thinking about going to C1 especially Fort Wayne through Driver Solutions I would be very careful if you are low on funds because it won't be a 3 week course but possibly more than a month before you get out!

Family Rider Policies: What is the most family friendly trucker company out there? What is their policy on kids or other family members out on the road?

*Was not were

I've passed all written portions of the test! The CDL program from this website were extremely beneficial. Don't relay on powerpoint presentations to pass.

I've heard automatic trannys are hard to move a trailer back due to the need to accelerate.

Just checked into the hotel. Tomorrow is my first day at C1 in Fort Wayne. My roommate isn't so bad. The hotel room is clean.

I live in railroad central here in Elkhart County, IN so I always think it is funny when trains carry inter modals... which are intended for the big rigs to haul... or trailers..... Its funny because railroad companies don't like the trucking industry because the more trucks that are on the road the more chance the railroad isn't as profitable. Its an interesting love-hate relationship.

Also you have to understand what a "moving" traffic violation is versus other misdemeanor traffic crimes. For example, in my youth I had: fictitious plates, unregistered vehicle, and no insurance. I got a "long form" which is non-custodial arrest so you have to show up in court. Many people assume the long form is actually a "ticket" but its different. The company I applied for only asked for moving violations in my history. I lucked out.

Moving Violations: Speeding, Disregarding traffic signals, failure to control vehicle, etc are some moving violations.

I can't say that I'm completely emotionless on the decision but definitely was getting burned out with working at the jail.

Eric,

My best friend just retired from 30 years as a sheriff's deputy (Washoe County, Reno, NV) and I have to say I think you made the right choice to change jobs at this point in your life. My friend was never on patrol as he was a jailer & bailiff only those 30 years. I don't know if you were on patrol but I think the danger for a young father/husband is significant (Las Vegas recently - that comes to mind). However, the biggest effect I saw on my friend was the daily exposure of the class of people he had to deal with. This guy is a Viet Nam vet and a fearless warrior in terms of his make up but I witnessed him break down and cry over stresses he never dealt with on his job. I think the trucking career you have substituted for the life of a jailer is a definite improvement for you AND your family. Being home but having to deal with the stresses of law enforcement may be just as potentially harmful to a marriage and family as the separation of truck driving. There are lots of people here who can give you sound advice on how to deal with the new types of stress your family life will undergo (I'm not one as I am a 62 year old single person who's family is grown) so make use of the ability to dialogue with others in your same situation. Like Daniel said:

Trucking is really tough on a marriage, and even tougher when you have children in the picture. Just reminding you to cover your bases and really make sure that this is what you want.

. . . so don't go into this blindly but get all the info you can so you are not taken by surprise. I am sure you will do so (as should your wife) and will be very successful if you do. Again, I congratulate you on getting on with your life when you realized your previous occupation was not what you wanted for yourself or your family.

Jopa

Thank you sir. I've seen some crazy stuff in the jail... Human kind at it's absolute worst. It has rubbed off in my personality, emotions, and everything. I've been threatened, cursed at, intimidated, assaulted, etc. Anyway, I'm excited about this opportunity... Also OTR is not my long term goal of things and I hope to get a local job some day. My wife is 100% behind me as we have all researched the lifestyle... She knows that the sacrifices to get the experience will be worth it... We have a strong Christian community here which can help.

Eric