Profile For Bryan E.

Would it be realistic to say I could drive another class A or b truck when I am laid off from the construction company,and not just semi? Keep in mind it is a six month straight layoff. We work six months and are laid off six months. They are laid off November til may. We get cold and snowy winters here. The only reason in considering it is the benefits are real good with the construction and can carry the health insurance during the layoff. I believe the union pays for the health insurance. Being I'd be on the road the six months working road construction I wouldn't mind working local the six months I'm off. I would like to utilize the class A cdl and not sit on my duff. 6 months is too long not to work. What are my ootions?

Most OTR companies aren't going to count your local driving experience as experience, believe it or not. Many of them only consider OTR driving as experience. Sometimes they'll consider the local driving as experience if you're in an 18 wheeler, but definitely not if you're in a dump truck or something like that.

Depending on the company and their training, an OTR company may or may not recognize your schooling as being legit. They will require you to have a 160 hour legitimate driving course or one year of tractor trailer experience to avoid going to school.

Also, like Big Scott mentioned, it would be hard to find a company to let you drive only part of the year. Maybe if you had a ton of OTR experience they might consider it, but you don't at this point.

So the deck is kind of stacked against you. It's certainly worth exploring but I think you're going to have a tough time pulling it off.

You said what I was trying to say much clearer and concisely. A better way for me to say what I was trying to say would be was if I was to do construction for six months and get my class A cdl through the construction company could I utilize my class A cdl the other six months? I suppose it don't gotta be OTR. It could simply be a job where I'm home daily too, regional etc. Point is I don't want to sit on my duff for six months. The cdl is worth money. I'm still trying to figure out what to do but with the construction the benefits are real good and you can carry the health insurance with you when you are on your six month layoff if you have enough work hours in the six months I'm on. The ONLY problem I'm seeing with the trucking is the high cost of health insurance. In two to three months I'll be in full swing on this career change and I'm simply weighing my options. I want to truck more than anything but there seems to be more doors opening up and want to look at everything before I make a decision. This is not to say that I wont go to truck driving school. I may. I'm still really considering it.

What is best for you? Do you want the construction job as a long term career? If youvwould prefer the trucking lifestyle, then make that jump. If you would rather do the construction, you may have to check Craigslist for other short term trucking jobs. I doubt an OTR company would hire you for six months at a time. Which would you rather do?

If someone was to join a construction trade and get their class a cdl with air brakes for the trade, could that person drive truck with a trucking company without going to the trucking school?

The reason I am asking because there may be doors opening up where a construction company will pay to get the class A cdl but the company has a six month layoff in the winter. I was wondering if i could double dip. Do construction in the summer six months and drive truck from November 15 til may 15.

Essentially I would have my class A cdl with air brakes BUT I would not have gone through the trucking school. The company will train and then setup the driving test.

I'm in the middle of a career change and so much is opening up at once. I'm simply weighing out my options. Any advice or comments is appreciated.

I'd hate to see that cdl go to waste six months a year when I could be making money.

Thanks.

On the upside I pass all general knowledge CDL practice tests I be taken thanks to high road training. Now I'm off to studying air brakes and combination. That is minimum. If I accomplish that I'll star on doubles, and tankers. Then hazardous. But I wanna get permit down bare min. Not sure when I'm taking tesy, but it could be soon.

This is in regard to the written test for my permit (CLP). Nothing else.

Do I need to study these sections for the written test?:

Pretrip inspection (permit) Driving exam (permit) Logbook rules (job duties) Weight distribution (job duties) Cargo securement (flatbed)

I understand I need to know it all but I am only interested in studying for my clp and endorsements as i am limited on time. Thanks.

Attitude is everything. Congrats!

So I was told that I was selected as company driver of the month. I am really excited about it. My hard work really paid off and it’s just nice being recognized for it at such a large company.

My problem is this. I would work with CC but I live in the upper peninsula of Michigan. How would I get home for my hometime? Cause they said I'm on my own getting home. It's not like I can get a plane ticket home from s. Carolina to Michigan for 5 days hometime. It's wired I actually feel a pull to work there. Problem is I have a family. How much did you make the first year of you don't mind asking. I also hear jim Crowder is a Christian and praying man. That means a lot because the gool ole lord had everything to do with my life change. Can we email back and forth. My email is ekbergbryan@gmail.com.

I started with CC. I loved it there!! I was very thankful for the opportunity they gave me, and I still am. I keep in touch with them. It's all about your attitude. Once Corey, Curtis, Tonya, and the dispatchers know they can trust and count on you, they WILL keep you rolling. If they can count on you, you can count on them. You will learn a lot, and work hard. You will go everywhere carrying anything. Their pay isn't terrible, and after just 6 months, it's quite good. The toughest parts are making it through the first month, learning to slide the tandems correctly, and dealing with a co-driver who's a jerk, lazy, dirty, or selfish. Jeff is easy to talk to, Joey is cool, and Wendy & Leah get your pay right. Jim, the owner, picks you up to bring you to orientation!! Very good man. Randolph keeps the trucks in great condition. Great company to open doors to all those who said no, but then open arms to you. Again, attitude and a thankful heart go a long way. Big Scott's friend...Done Gone.

Thank you. That would be great.

I'd like to talk to him. I'm kinda intrigued by Carolina cargo.

We had a driver on the forum that started at Carolina Cargo. Yes there base pay is low; however,they pay bonuses for just doing your job. Like arriving on time and what not. If he shows up he could explain their pay better. The way they pay is kinda odd as well.

I'll call him and see if I can get him to jump on and add to this.

I'd like to talk to him. I'm kinda intrigued by Carolina cargo.

We had a driver on the forum that started at Carolina Cargo. Yes there base pay is low; however,they pay bonuses for just doing your job. Like arriving on time and what not. If he shows up he could explain their pay better. The way they pay is kinda odd as well.

Thank you. I will sure do my best with that. I'm getting very little support from those around me. I'm trying to get out of poverty and working mediocre jobs. It gives people a poverty mentality.

Keep that attitude you have and you will be able to succeed with whatever path you take in training for this career.

Do whatever it takes to accomplish this. Adapt to and overcome all problems and obstacles that arise. Even after you have your cdl and are making your deliveries all by yourself keep this mentality.