Profile For Moziere

I haven't kept up this post. But, I thought I'd give an update. I got my medical card and permit, then called CRE. They were to get back to me with a school start date. I waited and called back twice and got no response from my recruiter. I guess she went on vacation or something. Meanwhile, as I was waiting, I got a call from a PAM recruiter asking me if I was still interested in CDL training. I said yes and had a class start date. I finished my training with CDL of Alabama in Summerdale, AL. I passed my CDL test the first go. Now, I'm waiting for a mentor. I was notified that he would be picking me up sometime after Christmas.

Overall, I'm so glad I went with PAM. I loved the school. The instructors were all top notch and because the class had only 15 students, I feel we got more personal attention. I was the oldest in the class, obviously, but in the end, we were all part of a family. The 'kids' all called me the Old Lady, I started that goofing off one day. I said, I can't do that! I'm just a little old lady! It stuck. The instructors all gave me a 'hard time' because of my age. They razzed me about being Air Force, they were Army, Navy and Marines. All in all, we were family by the time I left.

The trucks were all older and there were some mechanical issues due to students clutching improperly. Well, that's school for you. They have manual transmissions, so there is no exemption on my license.

So, I'm fulfilling my goal. I will be driving for at least one year for PAM. I'm excited and I will make it be the best year I can possibly make it. I don't have any negative thoughts going in to my training. I'm looking for the best. I know it won't be perfect, but it will be my best.

One thing could have been better covered. They didn't cover logs at all. I know nothing about e logs, or paper logs, hours of service, how to plan your trips, drive times, etc. The schooling was accelerated and taught only the cdl test, backing manuevers and shifting. I will say this... The High Road Program here on Trucking Truth helped me so much when it came time to test. I aced all three basic tests and only missed HazMat by 1. I forgot to skip the ones I didn't know and come back to them on HazMat, plus I didn't study here first. If I had used the High Road program for HazMat I would have passed it first time. I will retake the test while I'm waiting for my mentor. PAM offers a bonus for getting your HazMat so I'll be getting that.

I recommended this site to everyone I was in class with. There were several there who didn't have a contract with a company yet and were looking to get hired.

So, If I have time and I can remember, I'll keep up with this as I ride and train with my mentor.

Thanks TT for being such a help and encouragement.

Change a tire ???? Is there one man on here that could change their truck tire?? This is equal pay for an equal day. There are no little fairies gonna fly down and help a Danzel out. Woman or man you climb your ass out the truck and do what you got to do.

I'm not asking for someone to do my job for me, nor am I asking for attitude. I've known men who could change a big tire with no problem and some who couldn't. I don't know of many women who can pick up a tire that large, unless you are a Gunhilda, which I'm not.

As a woman driving a truck, I'd like to know what your experiences are in situations like having to change a tire, or other heavy duty emergencies.

Also, what is your favorite or least favorite horror story. I'd like to know how women handle problems on the road that a man would have less trouble with.

Well, my medical card is in my hot little hands! BOO YAH! I took a picture. So, yesterday, I'm on my way to Cullman, AL to take my test for my CDLP. I have a flat, so the money I had for my permit had to go to buy a new tire.

Well, I'll just have to go Monday. Got to raise a bit more money. I make jewelry, so last night I sat down and made about $150 worth. Just have to sell it this weekend.

But the good thing about all this is, when I have a set back, something good happens to put me forward again. For instance, Wednesday I had to have an eye exam. Somewhere along the line, I lost $10. When I got to the eye doctor, I was short $10 for my exam. He told me not to worry about it. When has a doctor ever told you not to worry about it when you were short on a bill??? Wow. I'm still shaking my head over that one.

Well, missing my CDLP will set my start date back. I was scheduled to start Oct 1. Not sure of the date now. My recruiter is very helpful, very nice. I would say my experience, so far, with CRE is positive. I'm looking for good thing in my future.

Moziere - your driver recruiter at CRE should be able to help out with specific items you will need for your first foray into the truck. The Truck Driver's Career Guide Chapter 5 also offers some good insight for you.

Eating on the road will be a challenge for you, especially if you're watching carb loads / sugar and fats. The truck stops wont be your friend, you'll want to learn the truck friendly Walmart lots to shop for groceries. I use a thermoelectric cooler, and carry items that I know my nutritionist wont yell at me about eating, but during your training you may not have enough space to accomodate one of them. I know there have been some threads in here about food options, dietary requirements, etc. If you go to the search by tag section you can read what others' experience has taught them.

Good luck to you!

Thank you for the encouragement!

Leggins are fine, but honestly, they might not be warm enough if you go to north or west. get long johns for underneath.

when i say winter...i mean.. lots of layers. winds of 70mph in WY and temps negative 30 are possible.

What are long johns?

JK

I just got off my trainers truck and he had told me we are legally responsible for bringing all freight to the tail of the truck. That rarely happens. Many companies will pay you when you have to unload. I hope that helps.

So, if you are at the end of your hours of service, how does that work? If it takes you several hours of unloading the truck, which you would be paid for because you are in service, BUT you are at the end of your hours, do you take your 10 hours of down time, then go back to unloading??

We have a great number of readers who either never post or have only posted a few times. So whether you are an avid reader lurking in the background or someone who posts occassionally.... what topics would you liked discussed as part of the blog articles?

Whether you want a womans perspective, or you want to discuss something that has been holding you back from coming into trucking... please feel free to comment.

I'd love to know the options out there for excercise. I'm one of those people who was very active when I was younger. I rode horses, swam, trained horses... I never excercised like walking or jogging or running. I don't enjoy doing that. It's boring. BUT, I know that being in a truck sitting down will require some kind of excercise.

It would be great if there was someplace near every truck stop where you could go and do some line dancing for a couple of hours every day. Or for me, a pool where I could put in some swim time.

What are the options like when you are someplace different every day and your down time is precious?

i was always a jeans and tee shirt kinda chick but the denium started to bother me after awhile. i wear mostly sweats and yellow safety shirts because most customers want the Osha approved bright vests that construction workers wear. truck stops and my company store sell them.

Rainy, Would leggings and long tee shirts be alright to wear? They are so much more comfortable than jeans. I don't have any sweats and I was hoping I wouldn't have to buy any clothing until I get a paycheck or two under my belt.

I'm from the South also, born and raised in FL but living in AL now. I'm going to school with CRE and have a start date of Oct 1. I just realized that my 'winter coat' is a light weight jacket and I don't have a hooded jacket at all. I bought my winter gloves because they were pretty with little fur around the cuffs. I might have to rethink the clothing issue. :D

Very sorry to hear that, please accept our sincere condolences.

Good luck with your schooling and training. We are here to help you succeed.

Thank you, this site has made a huge difference already. Thank you for all the wonderful information and encouragement you provide here. Sometimes people don't comment, but they read everything. You'll never know some of the people this site has helped.