Profile For Pauletta J.

Hey, Pauletta!

thanks for your opinion it was very insightful lve been over an over the decision to bit the bullet an pay for the classes at my local community college its only 1600 I feel it would give me more time to learn everything than to feel rushed at a company school??,, I don't know but for right now I've been studying book for my permit an going over the highway road learning training course it's been a excellent resources for me I'm going to take my time do as. Much by myself then pray about it. O:-)

Here's my 2 cents. Success depends on how badly you want it. I went to a "CDL Mill," a private school that lasted three weeks. I had never even been IN a truck before, but this was what I wanted to do. Here's how it broke down: I paid $2500 out of pocket and showed up Monday morning slightly giddy, slightly terrified. We had three and a half days of intense cram sessions to pass the permit test on Thursday, and of the ten of us that started, only 2 passed (I was one of them, but book knowledge always came easy for me. It's a LOT to remember) So that Saturday, the "do overs" returned to take the test. After that, only 2 of the original 10 had still failed and they repeated the classroom week and passed. The rest of us spent a week out on the range learning the 6 backing maneuvers and Friday were tested on all of them. I failed 2, and came back Saturday to retake them.

This was a low point for me. Testing on the 90* alley Dock when I'd only done it four times over the course of five days. It came down to allowing myself to fail, and spending another week on the range, or refusing to let myself fail and getting out on the road with the rest of my class the next week. This is where your brain, your heart, and your drive take over. I had put all my eggs in one basket, and a lot was riding on my timely success. I couldn't fail, so I refused to fail. I nailed all my maneuvers the next day and was out on the road.

Of the eight that made it through, five of us got our Class A CDL on the first try. Those that had never driven a manual? Passed. Those that had quit their jobs to attend training? Passed. Those that had always wanted to drive a truck? Passed. Those that didn't take anything seriously, spent those three weeks talking and telling jokes, and bragging about the fancy Freightliner Landstar they were gonna buy their first year? You guessed it. They failed their first attempt.

If you are going to a company training facility, or a tech school program, you won't have as bad a 'do or die' situation as I did. However, your drive, positivism, and sometimes even anger, will push you toward success, or not. If you're not the type to let fear defeat you before you start, you can do this. If you're the type whose pride won't let you stay down once knocked down, you'll do this. And be prepared to be knocked down. Learning to drive a 10-speed manual has a unique way of making you look and feel a bit stupid. Just don't sweat it. We all felt a bit stupid when we were in your shoes.

You just need to stay confident... we can do anything we put our minds to. The DMV written test was a little challenging... but you get three tries and I got it on my second.

As for learning driving they expect people to come in with no manual experience. In fact, our instructors said that it was better if you didn't have that experience... as tractors require a different technique when shifting compared to small gas powered vehicles.

One last question do u feel it best to obtain permit before you go off to training or just get it while there at traing school

Also the training costs $3900, but you only pay half that in installments over the course of one year... after the year they match it for half so it ends up only costing $1950.

Yeaa i looked at swift but the main reason i went with cealdon they pay 100% training food an board i wont pay a penny back if i sign a year with them. But thanks for the input i just worry about making it through training with my class A cdl

Well i have been researching company trucking schools. The most promising is Celadon. Right now i have a oka job CNA just bought my first home no kids. An i really want to become a truck driver. But its a hugh risk!! I have never driven a manuel transmission. I will have to quit my current job to go to trucking school. An what if i cant pass my test. I go home with noting??? Is trucking school really that difficult??lady truckers what your opinion??? Is it worth the risk??? Im 23 years old an need some sound advice

I totally agree with everyone above. Do not be concerned. Truck Driving Schools and Company-Sponsored Training Programs are designed to take people straight off the street without any knowledge of truck driving whatsoever, and that includes shifting.

this really put my mind at ease