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Werner in Fontana, CA. , whose school is associated with "Road Masters" pays $500 a week while in school. Pays a little more per mile than "S####". Their contract is for 3 years, but if I could do a do over I would have done it at Werner instead. It's going to be 2 to 3 years before you can move on, so you may as well get paid for the school, and make a little more per month, as opposed to being stuck on the bottom as far as income goes. Currently at S#### the pay is sporadic, which is probably the case at other companies depending on how much time is spent waiting for a load, but a few cents more per mile covers all the work you do for the pay. In my opinion .36 a mile doesn't cover the hours you actually spend working. There's scaling, fueling, data entry, trailer locating (disorganized).

Thanks for the update Mike! Just curious... When your trainer was taking "personal time" do you mean a few hours off duty or home-time?

Don't you stay @ a motel or something when they take home time?

This began in the morning and by the evening I was cold and tired. This was at a truck stop. Motels are too expensive. If you get a mentor that pays for a motel bless your lucky stars. My mentor and I had the same home terminal, which is convenient. The motel room I got at a Days In. Was $71.

Well now that I got the permit where should I go, and what should I avoid?

Well now that I got the permit where should I go, and what should I avoid?

I've been on the road solo now for about 3 weeks.

After being in the classroom I thought it was going to be smooth sailing, but I advise newbies that going with a mentor is tough, and even "IF" you think their not being fair. They are. You have to drive the first 50 hours yourself. Then you run as a team. Listen to the mentors, even if they don't explain "why" there is a reason. Remember it's their truck, not yours. I had to spend some down time in the truck stops watching TV all day because my mentor wanted to relax and have some personal time. Now I have a 2016 Freightliner all to myself. The. First day solo will also test your metal. It's hell day. At truck stops don't worry what people think. Some will shake their heads and others will happily help and share advice. When you get frazzled relax and rely on what you already and were taught. My motto is Drive it like ya stole it.

I've been pondering this for years. I have passed a background check to work with youth. Apparently I'm safe. Aren't DUI's driving offenses, and Criminal offenses crimes. Also if you've had anything Expunged from your driving record, and criminal record it doesn't show up. A judge does the expungement.

I'd follow the rules, and if it was legal in a lock box,,,,I might still sleep with it.

Well I start a Swift on the 19th. Can drive from my home the 21 miles to school. Swift does not pay for the 3 weeks of class training though, so I guess I'm lucky to be only switching careers, and have 2 weeks to prepare.

Mr Mike, you make plans for My Whitney, but you don't have a trucking job lined up?

Assuming that's the case, get reading:

Trucking Companies

How To Choose A Company

Understanding Pre-Hires

Well I try to live a full life, and I haven't quit my current job either. When I do initiate the career change my monthly income may drop a little at first, but I'll be doing something I'm probably more suited to. Don't laugh, but I went from construction, and an equipment operator, college to an outreach worker for a non-profit org. Operating a truck is what I want to do for myself, and Mt. Whitney is something I may, or may not do. I'm 57 and know that with a career in trucking there won't be much if any time to go to a gym.

Well now that I got the permit where should I go, and what should I avoid?

Hello I am currently at a driving school obtaining my CDL and I was wondering from the folks that have been in the field for awhile I kno most truck stops are starting to put in workout facilities... I was wondering how most keep themselves fit during time OTR?

I was wondering this myself. I just got my permit today. I've been going to a gym somewhat regularly, and hiking. I've learned that walking on a treadmill uphill for 15 to 20 minutes. 1 mile at a #5 incline to start. This will probably be the best thing for the adverse reaction from long periods of sitting. Also do 1, or 2 exercises for the chest, and back. A lot of it depends on time. One day I hope to climb Mt Whitney.