Profile For Matthew V.

So I passed my HazMat test without actually studying for it, and it's something that I've had on my mind, as to whether if that's something I should be worried about. I know a lot of it is common sense, but should I leave the rest of it to when I do my over the road training?

The company that I'll be working for doesn't carry any explosive or radioactive HazMat, just stuff that you'll find at Menards, Walmart, Home Depot, etc. such as batteries and other low risk Hazmat. I'm not saying I'm a know-nothing imbecile, but I also don't want to be ill prepared when it comes to taking my Hazmat loads.

Http://www.qualitycompaniesllc.com/drivingschool/

This is a question that I've been plaguing myself with for the past week or 2, now that I've finished school, and I'll soon be leaving with my trainer. Is renting a apartment worth it when you're an OTR driver, and you won't be home except for maybe once a month, or sometimes 2? I don't have a spouse, or even a S/O that would live there, so it'd be basically empty except for family checking on it for me. I do, however, have 2 young children (5 and 2), and I would like to have my apartment available for sleeping over when I come home.

Are there any single parent OTR truckers that had this same predicament?

I start trucking school with Celadon July 28th. Excited, yet apprehensive as well. Can someone that has already been there give me some pointers

I am currently in the Celadon school, just passed my CDL state test last Tuesday, and I will be taking my Celadon test tomorrow, and orientation on Monday. I have been here for just over 7 weeks, BUT I was a week or so behind because it took me 5 tries to pass my combination test at the DMV. After that, I was able to make it through the practice area at a good pace, but they did get a little backed up, because they didn't have a new class come in on the Monday after Memorial Day weekend, as they were closed, and they brought in 2 classes the following Monday instead of one, to make up. It's starting to clear out now, since there were a lot of passers within the last 2 weeks.

Here's a list of what I believe are the pros and cons, and I will break it down in categories:

Instructors:

Pros: Friendly and helpful All ex semi drivers They're understanding if you've never driven a manual They will break down everything you will need to do to pass your tests They will run you through the exact same test course you will go through on your driving portion of your state test.

Cons: There are only 3 main backing maneuver ranges for starting people, and 2 extra ranges for people practicing for their test. They could use a few more instructors They don't really go through your outside pretrip with you, you're left to study that on your own, but other students are very helpful in that area.

Facility:

Pros: You get your own dorm room, and if they don't have a room, they will put you in a hotel at no cost to you. Plenty of bathrooms and showers, so there's never a wait for them Full basketball court, gym, racket ball, and cycles if you like to keep active. All doors are electronically locked, and there are security personnel that are always available, 24/7

Cons: Speaking for the men's bathroom, there is a large problem with other male students peeing on the seats, and sometimes leaving the sink a mess with hair shavings. The elevator does stop working from time to time The food isn't always the best, and it does get kind of repetitive after a while. The facility isn't in the nicest of areas, and you're urged not to walk off the property after dark, or if you need to, go with a group. The internet is restricted, no streaming of any kind.

Would I do this again with everything I know now? Yes. Even with the cons, the school is worth it.

I just finished CDL School with Quality Drivers, funded by Celadon. It's a new school, and there are a lot of people with gripes, but all in all, it's a great school. The trainers are all super friendly, very helpful, and they give you every chance to succeed. Call and talk to a recruiter, and see what they say. By the say, the school is "free", and the only reason I use air quotes, is if you don't want to pay for it out of pocket, you can opt to be contracted with celadon for a year at .18c per mile (240,000 miles split between a team), or .14c per mile for 6 months (120,000 miles). You can buy out your contract for $7,200