Profile For Tina A.

Hi Rob T,

I look forward to following along in your journey and seeing if experience in a bus helps you adjust to driving a truck.

Thanks, it’ll be interesting I’m sure. LOL

Hi G-Town,

Please don’t think I’m arrogant in what I say. I know it’ll be a lot more difficult than what I have done. I just feel lucky that as with anything new, I’ve had a peak inside. Not with the truck itself but there is more than the physical act of driving and if I have a few basics down already, well, it’s kinda like learning a new language. If you learn some of the the curse words, thank you, and where’s the bathroom, the rest will come easier when you finally get in front of a teacher. It may still be a foreign language but at least I know how to pronounce a few words. The more I’m already familiar with the less to bog up my mind. I would like to encourage other women who drive a bus that would rather drive a truck. I think by pointing out where they already have a first step may help. Yes, there is a full mile to go yet but it’ll never start without that first step. Know what I mean?

Thank you for the great links. I’ll definitely be reading them!!

Drug test - Done! 3 bald spots later but it’s done!

Physical - Done!

All paperwork - Done!

School starts Tuesday 🤯

Hi All,

I’m hoping this is not supposed to be “Just the facts, Ma’am because that’s not my M.O.

Most of this will not be directed at former bus drivers, just in the beginning.

I’ll be starting at the 160 Driving Academy in Crest Hill, Illinois on 09/03/19 through Swift. I’ll do my best to fill you in on what might give you a heads up.

Illinois is one of those states where you must get your license in Illinois. No out of state school so that narrows your options down a lot.

I do want to write the biggest things for school bus drivers to take note of. I have a feeling that something’s will need to be unlearned. Like “HEY! SIT DOWN!” Or “WHO’S SCREAMING?!” Or “Are they going to throw up?!” “Try not to bleed on your seat mate, please.” Well, school might be tough so maybe not the last one. I will tell any instructor that they, in fact, can NOT Moon the car next to us though. No stopping at every railroad track! THAT will be weird. I even do it in my car at times.

Ok, the positives of being a bus driver first. Most of these things will just be amplified by 100 but you are already familiar with them at least. You’re already aware of how to deal with traffic. People constantly cutting you off. Motorcycles cutting so close in front of you that you lose visual of half the bike just so they can turn RIGHT THERE. Here in Illinois, maybe national wide(?), there is a campaign “Start seeing motorcycles”. I want to start one for motorcycles. “Start driving so that trucks and buses can see you, idiot!” Ok, leave off the idiot. It’s already implied. Air brakes, like a pro! I HATE driving a bus with ABS! We already had to test out for basics. Really hoping that I don’t have to test on air brakes and basics again. I almost failed on basics! It was so, basic! I thought they were trick questions! They weren’t!! We are familiar with some of the lingo. Off set parking and all that. Less new stuff, easier to understand more new stuff! We’re already used to being watched and scrutinized the ENTIRE TIME. All those cameras and microphones as well as every parent on the road watching our driving. That should help a little with the pressure. We already are familiar with the West Chicago CDL only DMV. Love that place!!

If I were to ever go for Hazmat, I’m already used to hauling hazardous materials. If 50 2nd graders hopped up on sugar from Brookfield Zoo + 95 degree weather + traffic jam on I55 doesn’t make things hazardous, I don’t know what does. All the cars are non stop jockeying. “Must get in front of that bus!” One kid pukes, they are all hot, the teachers are either on the edge or their phones, and the look on the parents faces. You know the one. “I’m never doing this again. Ever. I knew I should have brought a flask!” Which means you get to deal with all of it yourself. That’s hazardous. LOL

I, myself am a charter only driver. I go downtown Chicago and as far as I possibly can. Yes, I’m a “your children are precious but I don’t want to deal with you” kinda person. Besides, I did it to drive. And money. But to drive. This means, I already know what it’s like to drive 4 hours one way without stopping on a regular basis.

I’ll add more to the bus driver difference part later.

160 Driving Academy: Before school starts, you go for drug testing. Not sure when I will be sent for the physical. The card doesn’t cut it. You must have the long form.

Have to complete an English comprehension test. I’m doing that in a bit. It says not to do it on a phone so the office is letting me do it there. I heard it’s easy.

Unlike other schools, this one Monday - Friday 8:00 - 5:00.

Ok, more later

Too many places to quote. Boy am I glad that I’m going to a contracted school!!! That sounded rough. Nightmarish even! Thank you!

Hi Errol V,

Thank you for your reply.

I’m signing with Swift. I was told that after so long I will be reimbursed for my portion. I was also told that I was tagged for a specific dedicated run. 2 weeks on, 2 days off. I’m assuming being “tagged” was a sales pitch but I’m hoping for the best!

I read the article about paid training versus on your own, that’s what helped me decide. I’ve been making good use of this site. Such an incredible resource of knowledge.

As soon as I posted my question I saw the article about reefer/dry van. I’m hoping if there is anything else though that someone will let me know.

Great to know about the importance of the relationship with my DM/dispatcher!

Start a diary? Really? That makes me even more nervous than driving a truck! LOL I’ll take a look at the entries and see if others get as “passionate” as I would want to. Don’t want to offend anyone.

Thank you so much!

Hi everyone!!

I’m about to sign on with company sponsored training. I’ve been told by the company recruiter a certain amount per mile but have yet to see it in writing. All the logistics of what I owe them is in writing but nothing else. I don’t know if I would be breaking with protocol to ask. Also, I found out that, once I’ve been on my own a certain amount of time, that they are in need of on the road female mentors and what that pays. I couldn’t believe my luck! Driving and teaching adults, especially when it comes to safety and practical knowledge is a passion of mine but if someone is going to live with me, for any amount of time, I want to know it’ll be a fair exchange.

Oh, one more question. Dry van versus refer, any real difference besides making sure that the cooling unit is always operational? I’ll not lie, I would love hazmat but this company doesn’t offer it. Perhaps in a couple of years.

Thank you for any input.