Profile For Misty F.

You said the question was for everyone. I'm a student at a CDL school. So I can only give you what I know so far and hopefully when the seasoned trucker ladies get time they will give you far more experienced feedback.

You asked if the testing was very hard. My answer is, "Yes". I have found it to be so for me. But I did not grow up on a farm driving at age 14 on private land vehicles that have a trailer attached and learning under the wings of a dad or older brothers. There are guys at my school who have driven for the military, and some have been raised with a monkey wrench in their hands, and they are very comfortable around all the equipment. But, there are guys in there who can't double-clutch as well as me, who have stalled the rig on railroad tracks, and didn't know what a "YIELD" sign meant. One guy knew the Pre-Trip Inspection word-for-word and you know he passed that but he's back on Friday because he didn't pass the road test. I tested first and went home right after, so I don't know if he passed road on Friday or not. Hopefully he did, but he's determined, so I know he would train again this week and try again on Friday. (State law requires you wait seven days before testing again.)

I also know that the life of truckers, male or female, is very challenging. I'm like you in that I don't need office politics and I can't stand catty women who form cliques and won't welcome me for months on end because they have some snooty chip on their shoulder. Pink collar jobs have been for me, a complete dead end. All that being said, I am about to go into my 5th week at school because the 3rd week I was not ready to take the test, so I went home and rescheduled for week 4, Friday. I just passed Pre-Trip Inspection part of CDL testing on Friday, and I'm going back for more backing practice because Lane Change kicked my butt good at 7:30 in the morning. I had spent all day before test in constant rain and wind on the concrete training pad and getting in and out of trucks for my turns on all three backing maneuvers. My body felt like lead jello next morning.

Every morning I wake up thinking about the backing maneuvers. I just am very pressured to get this license. I'm running out of cash. I want to get it all right this time. I don't want to come back a 3rd time to test. I just want that CDL and to move onto the company training. Will it all be for me in the end? I don't know. But I know I have worked very hard in my life and want to try. I want to work hard on this and see where it goes for me. I think I have the mental and emotional stamina, but of course, hope to develop the physical strength and endurance as I go on the road. Working hard in the yard all day at my little rental house for six years cost me over $30,000. I could have paid for that house and the land it sits on for that price. Now I have no home and my stuff is in storage. Staying with friends and family is getting old. I want that CDL and to see what the road has to offer. I'm scared and excited and challenged. Hey, isn't that life?

Soon, you will get some more replies from nice people here on the boards. Let's see what they say about testing, training and driving on the road.

Hang in there Angi you will get through everything! I will be praying for you as the prayers of my friends along with solid determination on my part got me through my CDL schooling and testing to get my CDL. I am currently in Appleton WI at Roehl's Phase I orientation and made it through the physical assessment this morning but it was hard, I must admit. It is all worth it though and I keep reminding myself of this. I sent you a private message so I hope you got it. If not I will text you tonight.

I have been wondering about Roehl ..I've been driving dump truck for 11 years...I have my class A but no experience... My question about them is do you have to team and do you touch freight??

Misty,

If i remember correctly the only time any company can push you into a refresher course is if you do not have 3 years of recent combination vehicle experience. (Truck & Transfer or trailer are combinations) I would simply ask them for a road test and if you pass then no need for a refresher. In my experience people who have driven local or dumptruck are a lot better drivers than anyone who comes out of any school or someone who drives 90% highway.

I have driven OTR (53') Local , Log Truck, and Dump truck w/transfer. The dump truck and Log truck were by far the biggest test of skills and the hardest to master. I am by no means an expert but after trying different things i can honestly say OTR takes the least amount of training.

I too have been researching Knight, I filled out an application on line, and was called by a recruiter within 24 hours, was accepted to the school over the phone.......Knight refrideration out of Green Bay WI. But being I live in Minnesota, I stopped by the terminal here today.....GREAT people.....they want me to go dry van out of Minnesota! They also told me I could go through their schooling in Indiana......but suggested if I wanted to get driving sooner, to go to a local school and I could be on the road solo 2-4 weeks after graduating CDL school.

They weren't trying to steer me away from their school, offered me that option also, just explained to me that they did not like having me away from home for 4 weeks with school, they try to get the drivers home every 10-14 days. with my time fame for starting, private schooling could be done nights & weekends and save me 4+ weeks ( private school while I wrap up home life )

I'm also looking into Knight...I already have my cdl but I've been driving dump truck for 10yrs...I called Knight & was transfered to Indiana... I was told I need a refresher course.... I'm planning on going in March.... I soo miss being OTR.... Any & all information on their training would help....stay safe