Profile For Joshua J.

Hey everyone, I know I've been on hiatus recently, had to finish up my engineering degree/finals and started getting everything in order for CDL school at National Trucking Inc. in green cove springs/orange park Florida.

I first spent a month at their heavy equipment operators course, graduated and got my NCCER certification, and began the CDL portion last sunday! I just got my permit Thursday morning, and we begin our work on shifting tomorrow. Im looking forward to learning as much as possible, getting my skills test knocked out, and getting on the road with a company. Going to spend the next few days sending out applications, and getting a hold of recruiters, its my hope that having the heavy equipment certification (and the ability to actually operate the equipment in a safe, professional manner) will open up additional employment opportunities for me and provide additional experiences that can be shared with you all.

Hope everyone is having an absolutely wonderful weekend, be safe out there!

Be sure to check out any local programs offered by the state for helping with tuition, many places have a workforce training program that will help citizens get funding to learn skills that are valuable in the workplace.

Thats a pretty nifty man ring, now I want one! Congrats on two years of exemplary service!

Aside from the great advice people have been giving here (dont put yourself in a bad situation, stay alert, be aware of your surroundings) the best thing I can say is IF YOU MUST carry some kind of weapon, use something work related, your lawyer will thank you. Ive seen some listed already like the tire hammer, long shank screw driver and the like - I imagine a length of chain wouldn't be out of place if you're flat bed, and itll do some work.

Is there anyone here that doesn't double my age?!

Com'n.

25 years old.

Im 27

How is anyone supposed to follow that post Pianoman?

Congratulations on no longer being a rookie Chickie! Im heading out to National Training inc. on the 7th for my heavy equipment operators course, and as soon as that finishes, Im getting my CDL at their trucking portion, God willing Ill be with a company and starting my slog as a rookie in july. Everyone on the forums has been so very helpful, and quick to support anyone who needed help, or even someone to vent to. Im glad to see everyone doing so well!

Daniel,

You use a bike that doesn't have gears? Also, the photos on the first page don't load for anyone.

Cwc,

50+ miles is pretty hardcore. You must be in very good shape.

It takes a bit of prep beforehand but not undoable. Make sure and eat pasta or rice the night before your am ride.

Bring food and electorlight replacing drinks and not just water.

And sugary fruit lightly through the ride beginning 25-30 minutes into the ride. I like dates and bananas.

Coffee is not a bad thing on the later end of your ride.

And as a post ride treat, chocolate milk is the nectar of the gods!

Lycra itself isn't necessary but the chamois pad they put in the bibs or shorts... totally is. But hey don't take my word for it and go for 50miles and let me know how that works out for you. But remember you still have to sit and drive for the following 8-11 hrs.

I learned that less while i was still in the Army, My NCO got me into mountain biking, and we'd do a 10-15mile trail up in the Franklin mtn chain near el paso, needless to say I learned padded briefs were a must- couldnt sit down for a week.

If it looks stupid, and it works, its not stupid.

I can't take anything a sociologist says seriously, they don't cover the hard sciences at all and most wouldn't know the scientific method if it slapped them in face. This to me, means i can't accept any statistics he throws out because I can't be sure he did any of the sampling correctly.

All that said, you can make more than 40k your first year if you do your homework before hand, run hard, and act professionally, something you won't find in many other careers. This is my last semester in a mechanical engineering degree that I pursued because Uncle Sam is paying me to do it (post 9/11 gi bill) my employment options with this degree and 0 experience pay about 14-16$ an hour, after a year of experience it goes up to 20-22$, at 20/hr 40hrs a week, is 800$ before taxes. Thats AFTER a year, with a college degree....

In the Army, I was making 2200/month with 3 years in and jump pay, thats 26,400/year before taxes, and worked days, nights, 24 hour shifts, my birthday, Jesus' birthday, holidays etc... Compared to that, the MINOR things listed that pertain to company drivers, and the increased pay (literally twice the amount for no experience and no one shooting at me) seem like a vacation.

I also can't believe "working harder, longer hours, and with less job security." ; primarily because of technology and breakdown service. In decades past, If you were lost or had to reroute due to weather or a crash, you had to grab a map and figure it out, we didn't have cell phones or GPS, there were quick passes for tolls, and there wasn't a contact truck coming out to fix something if you broke down. Job security, if i took my degree and went to work for a manufacturing or robotics company here, and lost my job, it would take me atleast a month to find another one, if you have a CDL and a clean driving record, and the company you work for closes down, or you get fired because of a small infraction (nothing serious about safety,drugs, or theft) you can literally have another trucking job the same day.

So in short, yeah the guy made some valid points, but they're very few and most of his article is focusing on the O/O niche and not the wider driver population as a whole. If it were that bad, and the pay so horrible, why would there be so many veteran and rookies alike posting their stories here daily, and talking about how much they enjoy their company?

Im not gonna lie, that sounds like a pretty sweet gig 25$ per tire chained, might need to set me up a side business