Profile For Bernard P.

From FL. I have my CDL. But no experience. Willing to travel anywhere. Im not afraid onto onto areas like California or New York. No wife or kids to worry of. So I don't care for home time.

What are the best companies to work for?

- I have a hearing aids restriction on my license. - need training and experience. So need a company who will be happy to provide the time and help I will need to succeed. - would like a decent pay for a starting truck driver as I learn through experience and training. - I do not have any money saved up. So what do I do about personal expenses like food, showers, hygiene stuff. I have heard some companies provide these things for free as a package when you first sign up with them? - an equal opportunity company as I do have a hearing disability corrected by hearing aides. - any advice for me as a OTR driver is appreciated.

Thanks and god bless.

Failed during offset this time, two encroachments and too many pull ups. I suck at backing trailers is what I am learning. I know this is not a very positive post, but I'm just frustrated beyond hell right now. I need to decompress before I get too far into posting. Just wanted to post the update.

I'll come back when my head is more in the game... ..

On offset, I accomplished it by keeping my tractor and trailer straight after the first 2 turns you make. First turn is full turn the opposite direction, next turn is a full turn going the other way once the back of your trailer is about to align with the center cone (view on your mirrors). I stop when tractor Is lined with trailer, straight my steering wheel and it's straight back after that. The key is that I make sure my tractor and trailer are straight at an angle so that I can perform the offset.

Im in the same boat as you on alleydock but Im going through an issue where Im not receiving any help at all from my teacher so I had to self learn the straight back and offset really, tweeking it from advice given by other students. Its sad but yeah...

Okay I have a neighbor who is telling me the cost for the Physical exam is going to cost me a 1000 bucks, is there any truth or a lying ??? i live in PA

I paid 50. All they do is check your heart pressure and ask you some questions...

Hello. I am currently in a accredited state college CDL School (both training and state testing provided in the same building). The class consists of two instructors (one full time and one part time) and 5 students. 3 of which are experienced semi truck drivers who have driven sticks. Me (who has never driven sticks or semis) and another gentleman whose in the same shoes. The course is 4 weeks long. We covered pre-trip the first week, passed the pre-trip state test. The rest of the 3 weeks we focus on basic skills and road skills. My concern is this...

The main instructor only works with the experienced drivers. They're the ones getting the teacher attention and are taken on the road. We are on the last week of school this Monday. 5 days to prepare for testing. Me and the other inexperienced driver haven't gotten any road time or teacher time. I basically been practicing the basic skills by myself or from help by the experienced students who give me advice that contradicts one another. The part time instructor took me and the other guy out on the road yesterday for the first time. The part time instructor told me on the downlow that the main instructor isn't planning on training me or the other guy because he doesn't want to train people who can't shift or drive semis. I'm confused because I am partially deaf and I thought I was joining the school to learn this stuff? I was told before I paid my 5 grand that I would be taught. The part time teacher is going to help me as much as he can, but I've got 5 days to learn how to shift and get practice before I'm scheduled for state road testing... I don't know what to do. I am extremely frustrated and I've sacrificed so much to get on board. I feel if I confront the instructor it'll make things worse, but if I let it slide I'll fail my test. I can't pass without his help and me and the other guy are no where near ready.

I need advice...

Thanks for the replies, your posts have been helpful. Just an update. I am currently in CDL training school since last week. There are only 4 of us in the class.The school is a training and testing site, so training and state testing are all done in one place. So theres no dealing with the hassles of the DMV. First 2 weeks we are working on pre trip and then we are to pass the states pre trip inspection test before we can begin practicing in the pad. HOWEVER...

One of the instructors took us on the pad one of the days last week. Everyone got a taste of what its like backing the semi, however, I found myself having difficulties shifting. I've never driven a standard before, but I just felt down on myself because the other 3 students were able to successful shift on their first try, and I wasn't. I'll admit, I was a bit afraid, I've never felt anxious or scared before so those emotions were new to me.

It hurt my confidence a bit, but I have to remember this is why I'm in school... to learn. Hopefully I can pick up on the shifting quick when I start training. I really want to do this. I just hope the teachers don't give up on me. Any advice on that would be appreciated.

Although it's tough finding work do you think I'll be able to find a company willing to work with my accomodations? I really don't need to see a whole lot of money to be happy. Just enough to live off of. So I wouldn't have problems sticking with one company that is willing to give me a chance.

She said she has a CDL A with x endorsement. The stuff she was telling me was off tho. Like you can only drive for 8 hours daily? I read it's 14 on and 10 off.

Hi everyone. Foremost would like to say hello to everyone in the community. I am a 31-year-old healthy male from Florida. However, I am particularly hard of hearing and I wear glasses and hearing aides too. I have no wife and no kids. I live alone. I am a good driver with a clean record. I've wanted to be a trucker since I was a kid but never did it because of doubt. I love to drive.

I passed the CDL permit exam on first try general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles. And I start school later this month. I have a few concerns, however...

I spoke to a "friend" who after the discussion wasn't much of a friend, anyway. To put it nicely, she advised I don't do trucking because I'll be "working at McDonald's after 6 months" and that she never saw more than $400 weekly as a trucker for swift and Werner. To be honest, I've never seen over 9 dollars an hour from a job. So her idea of big money and mine (as a minimalist) are two different things.

She also pointed out that companies are reluctant to hire people with corrective lens on their license. And will make my chances of finding work worse because I have hearing aides? I passed the DOT with flying colors. The doctor just told me to make sure I have enough hearing aides batteries for my trip.

Also because I live alone, I have a dog whose registered as a service dog to alert me of noises I wouldn't be able to hear while I am asleep without my aides on. Will trucking companies allow me to bring my dog with me to my OTR trips?

I know what I am in for and I want to do it. No family. No 'home" so to speak. Live the lone wolf life. So I'm ok with the distance. I just want to be given a fair opportunity after schooling.

Opinions are appreciated.