Profile For Jacob I.

This Reply is to the Gentleman that goes by the name of Lou L. ;

This is what you wrote Sir: "I am a former European, yes, to this day regretting the move into the US, which I only did to actually live with the wife whom I married in Ireland."

After a long sour and negative rant you proceed to complain about the United States and whine about how tough working conditions are in the Trucking Industry.

Well, let me say this to you ; Love it or leave it - you ungrateful son of a b****!

Let me tell you something Lou - I am from Europe too - I came over to this Greatest Nation on God's Green Earth from Sweden - and NOTHING pi***s me off more than people like you - coming over here from Europe and then crying like little girls that things are too tough over here.

Hey - If you are some kind of Communist who are more worried about how much your boss makes then get your a** back to Socialist Europe were EVERYTHING is strictly controlled and you pay taxes just to be able to breathe.

Everybody is so damn concerned about how much their neighbors make in Europe that it is nearly impossible to make it big over there - the Socialist State controls everything and everyone is supposed to be the same as everyone else.

You are an arrogant little ingrate and I need to set the record straight just so that the rest of the readers on this website doesn't think all European Immigrants are the same as you in today's America.

After obtaining a Green Card from marrying an American woman, I joined the U.S. Army at 34 years of age; I was a Heavy Machine Gunner in the Airborne Infantry and then I qualified as an 18B Special Forces Weapons Sergeant.

I served in combat during the Surge in Iraq and we called the Sunni Triangle "the Triangle of Death", because we experienced fire fights and incoming rockets on a daily basis. My best friend, US Army Paratrooper Medic Sergeant Hullander, was killed in action right next to me on one of over 250 Combat Patrols in hostile enemy territory. In total; my Regiment suffered 54 men killed in action and over 200 wounded.

I served with the best Americans this country has ever known and they took me in like a brother - because that's HOW THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WORKS - it is the ONLY nation in this world that gives honest, hard working people from anywhere a second chance - with no prior judgement regarding background, race or religion.

After 8 years in the military I received an Honorable Discharge and got out as a Disabled Veteran.

Now I'm using my Post 9/11 Montgomery GI Bill (a benefit program for Veterans) to pay for Professional Truck Driving School. After I'm done getting my CDL Class A with all the endorsements I'm going to go to a Heavy Equipment Operator School, also paid for by the Veterans Administration.

You see Lou, here in America, the people love their military Veterans so much that the US Government actually helps their Veterans by paying the tuition for new schools or training so that the Veteran can start a new successful career.

Back in Europe, you can forget about all that. Over there, the people question why the government should spend any money on the military at all - I know, because I served in the Swedish Navy a long time ago, before I came to the United States.

Bottom line is this - If you are willing to work hard and you have a hungry, positive attitude and the intestinal fortitude not to quit - then THIS - The Greatest Country on God's Green Earth - the United States - is the one place that will appreciate you.

If you stay out of trouble and do the right thing (my old Team Sergeant used to have a saying: "If you gotta think twice about doing something before doing it, it is probably not a good idea") you can get hired in America.

Then, if you don't like starting from scratch in Trucking - freakin try something else - don't just sit around and cry about it like a little girl.

And you know what else? Sometimes in life its good for you to eat a little piece of humble pie and simply shut up and listen.

Maybe by riding around with a stranger in a truck you could ACTUALLY learn something about yourself as well?

Of Course, I think you should just take the first plane back to Europe and go drive a little Lorry Truck, pay through your nose to fill up your fuel tank, and then go out and drive on some narrow little roads with some crappy weather out there were all the trucks look the same.

I just had to get these words out of my system tonight - Good riddance to bad rubbish!

Its about time somebody told you Lou; Stop hating on the USA - because you sleep under the very blanket of freedom that me and my brothers in arms provided for you.

"Only in America can someone start with nothing and achieve the American Dream. That's the greatness of this country." - Rafael Cruz.

To all you Great American Truckers out there - Thank you for all that you do.

And I'd gladly stand up next to you And defend Her still today 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land - God Bless the U.S.A.!!!

Happy New Year America!

Sincerely, Jacob I.

Jacob, Thanks for your input. I too am in NYS. Eastern part and studying for the Permit exam thru this site. Did you find anything peculiarly different than that in the exam? I did notice one question regarding OOS Orders time losing your CDL. I believe this site says 6 mos and NYS book says 90 days. But as I recall it doesn't specify first or second offense.. You are at National Tractor Trailer school? Is that in Syracuse? I did a school check through this site there wasn't anything in my area, (Albany). Im interested in trucking as a second career. I too will be 50, soon. I live on I87 corridor and see many many different companies. I don't know what I don't know . haha make sense? A school or a good reputable company. I enjoyed reading the blog from the guy who went through Appleton Wisconsin . I don't even understand how the pay system works for truckers. Is it mileage only? a salary and mileage? Thanks for reading and any input you may have. I too am retired military.

Don R

Hi Don - Thank You for your Service brother! If you have not used your GI Bill or Post 9/11 GI Bill yet, my own advice would be to first use this site to find a reputable private trucking school that you like (call them) and then go through the V.A. office in Buffalo, NY, and pay for the school with your military benefits. According to the info I got the school I applied to is supposed to be good - I will let you know after I've graduated just how good they are. Since I happen to live in New York City, only one of the schools in my area was endorsed by truckingtruth.com , and that was Al Sorano's Professional Truck Driving School in the Bronx, NY. If you use your V.A. Benefits, they would even pay for Cost of Housing allowance during the time it takes to complete the program if you choose to travel to a school far away. In fact, I'm going to a Heavy Equipment Operator School in Wisconsin after I take this Class A CDL; its a 6-week training program (you live in barracks just like in the US Army) - and the tuition is completely covered by the GI Benefits. I think its great that the government gives Veteran's a chance to learn new skills for a new career. If you want to check them out (they give CDL Class A training also) - here they are: https://www.operator-school.com/ Anyway, to get to your point - by studying this website's CDL training tools you should be able to pass the DMV office CDL exams with no problems. The only thing I would encourage you to do is to read through the NYS CDL manual as well, because New York has some specific regulations regarding the School Bus Endorsement that are in addition to what most of the other states seem to have. Also, request the NYS DMV Supplemental rules for the TOW TRUCK and METAL COIL CDL Endorsements online at: http://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv14.pdf Simply because these two endorsements are unique to New York only - from what I understand. So far I've passed all the DMV CDL written exams (CORE, AIR BRAKES, COMBINATION, DOUBLES/TRIPLES, HAZMAT, TANK, PASSENGER, SCHOOL BUS) except TOW TRUCK and METAL COIL - I'm studying for these last ones now. The HAZMAT is a little tricky - try to memorize as many Classes and Regulations as you can. As soon as you get your CDL Permit with the HAZMAT Endorsement - apply to the TSA for your government permit via: http://www.tsa.gov/stakeholders/hazmat-endorsement-threat-assessment-program I think simply showing up at the school with all the endorsements on your CDL Learners Permit already should save a lot of time, and let you go straight to the actual driving classes. Going to a private school should give the student a little more independence when it comes to looking for work with different companies after graduation. I will write a review of my school on this site once I have completed training and obtained my CDL Class A. My goal is to get qualified on different types of equipment, so as soon as I'm done with the CDL I'm going to a Heavy Equipment Operator School next - always wanted to learn how to operate a Bulldozer and an Excavator! I figure in today's job market it would be good to stand out with more qualifications on your resume. Regarding your other questions I simply don't have that information yet - I'm sure more experienced truckers would know. Good luck to you brother - stay motivated - and Happy New Year! Jacob I.

Hello Mr Brett Aquila,

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for making this website happen and especially for putting together the CDL Online Trainer Program.

I'm using my US ARMY Post 9/11 GI BILL benefits to pay for Al Sorrano Professional Truck Driving School / CDL Class A training in the Bronx, New York City.

Even though my classes don't start until January, thanks to your website CDL training I'm already ahead of the game, just like Mr Glenn G did, by going to the DMV myself and taking the written endorsement tests.

In just two days, I already took the NYS DMV CDL General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination, and Doubles/Triples on my CDL learners permit. Your method of teaching the different subjects is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME! I like the part were you halt the student if he tries to get through the program by guessing the answers. We used to call that "tough love" in the army.

Without even attending the first day in school I got these endorsements done thanks to a combination of motivation & outstanding teaching study material (your DMV CDL Practice Tests included).

Before New Years, I'm gonna get them all done (HAZMAT, Metal Coil (The only topic I didn't find in your program), Passenger, School Bus, Tank and Tow Truck) - and why not? It can only help me in my new trucking career.

You are a good man for organizing a learning program that actually works Brett. I struggled in High Scool with staying focused in class - but I think the fact that you are a truck driver yourself with a sense of humor helped making this whole thing easier to grasp.

Ever since I watched my army buddies getting the M1 A2 Abrams Main Battle tanks transported on Heavy Equipment Transporter Vehicles (HET M1070A1 OSHKOSH DEFENSE) - Talk about WIDE OVERSIZE LOAD! - I wanted to be able to legally drive MY OWN Big Rig one day. Now I know this will happen one day.

Thank you Brett, for your attention to detail in building this website and for helping a Veteran building his own meaningful career.

"Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. And don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines." Richard M. Nixon

Best Regards, Jacob I.