Profile For Christopher S.

So coming from operating vehicles with synchronised trannies like pickups and motorcycles I understand shifting into gears with the clutch depressed but why clutch into neutral? Does it keep the rpms from dropping faster? What I'm saying is why not just pop it into neutral then clutch gear? I'm sure there is/was a reason for this.

Thanks! I will give dbl clutching a shot. I'm guessing since I've been floating that I basically shoot for the same sweet spot, clutch neutral, clutch gear. Do drivers find this easier than floating? Can anyone explain benefits of dbl clutching?

Companies will want you to either attend their school or have a minimum 160 hour training certificate from one of their approved schools.

Also you will have to learn to double clutch not doing so is a automatic failure.

Getting Hazmat with shouldn't be a problem they are looking for more serious offenses than what you have. If you do not plan on running Hazmat do not even bother getting it as it can be a pain as it has to be reneqed. Infact I have to renew mine with in the next month.

The sweet spot is the same. The reason for double clutching is it allows you not to have to be as precise and still get it in the gear. It is the standard that is taught and what you are expected to demonstrate. Even on road tests at companies during orientation. It just is what it is.

I find floating easier and faster. But, that is me. I’ve used floating to teach a student about listening to and ‘feeling’ the truck when shifting to improve their shifting while double clutching.

Thanks! I will give dbl clutching a shot. I'm guessing since I've been floating that I basically shoot for the same sweet spot, clutch neutral, clutch gear. Do drivers find this easier than floating? Can anyone explain benefits of dbl clutching?

Companies will want you to either attend their school or have a minimum 160 hour training certificate from one of their approved schools.

Also you will have to learn to double clutch not doing so is a automatic failure.

Getting Hazmat with shouldn't be a problem they are looking for more serious offenses than what you have. If you do not plan on running Hazmat do not even bother getting it as it can be a pain as it has to be reneqed. Infact I have to renew mine with in the next month.

Thanks again for the replies. Currently at work finishing a 12 and getting ready to go practice downshifting and backing later today. The big CDL school near me is iitr but I've heard mixed reviews. I'm having an interesting time learning to downshift because the old truck I'm in has no working tach and my stepdad doesn't believe in dbl clutching. I can float up well enough but going down is a different story doing it by engine sound only.

If Roehl interests you, the simplest answer is call them. Put in an application to apply for training. The worst thing they can say is: NO!!! Ok, if that happens then move along. The list of companies that offer in house training is fairly extensive.

If a local CDL school is something you are considering, then look around. See if any community colleges in your area offer training. If they do, they may have a night or weekend type class schedule available.

Ask any the Truck driving schools or community colleges with CDL programs if they are partnered with any larger companies. Many of them do have partnerships. It would work out very similar to company sponsored training at a companies in house cdl school. The difference being is instead of going away to a school, you would do your training at whatever truck driving school or community college.

Remember there is always more than one way to skin a cat. Persistence and creativity will be your friends.

If anyone has links/ names of companies close to Oregon that offer on the job programs that would be super helpful. I'm in a tricky situation where I have to keep income flowing to pay rent until my lease is up in the spring. I have been saving though if the right opportunity presents itself to get trained with a company I could swing rent for a few months. Living where I live is extremely expensive.

Thanks! I've been considering that option and Roehl was one of the companies I looked at but I don't think they operate near me. I'm in Oregon . Almost every single job listing I see says no reckless driving in the last 3-5 so I figured I'd have a shot at it being just over 7 years. I will be up front with everyone.

The 16 year old felony will probably not be a huge deal breaker; especially, if you kept your nose clean since. The Reckless driving charge WILL be an issue at many places.

As far as getting a job, I am willing to bet that any larger, successful company will not touch you without 3-6 month’s verifiable OTR experience OR 160 hr training certificate from a driving school. Trying to circumvent the process is shooting yourself in the foot. You would be better off either going to a school or choosing a company sponsored training course. I am sure someone will post a link to “apply to company sponsored training.” Just know that link only sends applications to a very small slice of available training out there. It is not the end all, be all. It only sends applications out to those companies that pay for such advertisement.

There are a couple company sponsored training that does pay you while in training for your cdl. Roehl is such a one if memory serves me correct. All the big companies pay you during your training after you have a CDL.

A big advantage of company sponsored training is your are applying for a job at a place. So if they extend an invitation to their own school you are more or less guaranteed a job as long as you pass training. The other advantage is little to no money up front. You only have to guarantee your time. Usually 10-14 months.

To put it simply: either go to school or join a company sponsored training. Anything other than that and you are wasting your time and effort.

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback. I work 4 12s currently and just found overtime hours are being cut so it's going to affect my income significantly. This seems like a great time to pursue a career as a driver. I am very concerned with getting hazmat as it seems most companies prefer you have it. I am looking at doing regional or otr since rent has skyrocketed I'd rather just sleep in the truck and bank the income. I have found a few companies that look promising so far like schneider and roehl.

Chris, as far as your legal history, I can't say how that will be viewed by trucking companies. What I can say is that if trucking companies only hired drivers who never made mistakes in their youth, then there would be a critical shortage of drivers. Just keep your record clean from now on and you will be fine. Any company that you apply to, and shows interest in hiring you, will probably bring you in for company training. That is a good thing. Just keep pursuing your dream and acting responsibly and it will work out for you.

Hello everyone! I recently obtained my CDL A permit with air brakes. I am training on an older Cummins 10 speed with my step dad who is a local terminal manager and I have some questions.

1, I have a felony that I got 16 years ago for stealing video games😕 I was 18 at the time. And I have 1 reckless driving that is just over 7 years old. Other than that I'm clean. Will these things prevent me from obtaining hazmat and passing the TSA background?

2, I'm basically going to be obtaining my CDL with a 3rd party instructor and not a school since I work full time. Will companies hire someone who doesn't attend school?

3, what advice can you offer to someone just starting out in the field?

I consider myself an experienced motor vehicle Operator and so far I'm doing ok learning the 10 speed. I have a motorcycle endorsement and have operated many different types of vehicles and enjoy being on the road. Any help you guys could offer would be great! Thanks