56 Years Old And Starting Over In Trucking At 7:00am

Hey Guys and Gals:

To give a short intro: around 20 years ago I got out of trucking because my wife had a health problem and I needed to be with her. She's far past that now and because the industry we're in has went downhill dramatically in wages and conditions I'm going back out on the road. Today in a little under 1 1/2 hours I am going back through school. I'll give you updates as I can. This morning I'm not nervous, just excited to get started. Trucking was an exciting career and I am happy to be going back into it again. My schooling is on weekends and the info I'll give will be general as far as locations and names. The company I work for has made it common knowledge that if you look into any other jobs you'll be terminated immediately. Anyway, today is a big day!!!

Until later Bad Bob

PS: I am a published author with over 7 novels published. (I'll only name those novels in private messages.) This is just a small way that I am attempting to repay Brett for the invaluable service he gives experienced and inexperienced truckers. Plain and simple: Trucking Truth is a GREAT information resource!

Good luck on the career change, Bad Bob.

I look forward to reading your general posts.

Day 1: Interesting day today: Took a Urine Test and although I didn't study very hard, I do believe I passed. The rest of the day was spent doing some paperwork and hearing what to expect during the rest of the schooling. I seem to know just about all the material being set in front of me. The reason for that is " The High Road Online CDL Training Program," found right here. If you are going to start a new career as a truck driver take that course. It's long and not easy, but by the time you are done you know what you need to know to pass the CDL test. Anyway, I'll keep you all updated as I can.

Have a great evening. Bad Bob

BB - What's your home state and where are you going to school?

~scott

Looking forward to your diary. I always like reading the diary section. Have fun in school, and ...

Stay safe.

Hey All: Just a few impressions from the last weekends classes. We did some paperwork and spent most of the two days with our heads buried in the computers learning stuff that I pretty much already knew from doing The High Road CDL Training Program. I can already see that there are some seriously big egos around the school. So the idea is keep my eye on the goal of getting the CDL and getting the job that I want. It's obvious that this is not going to be fun but hey, sometimes things that are worthwhile are not fun getting. On the upside: I went on my own and passed the written (actually clicked since it was on a computer) tests for general knowledge, airbrakes and combination vehicles this morning at the DMV. So I now have my permit to once again jump in a big truck and trundle on down the road (with someone watching that is.) Just got to keep my eye on the target and get there. That's it for now. Keep on going no matter what. Because failure is not an option!

Until Later Bad Bob

Laser focus Bad Bob, ignore the egos, they will have their day. Good luck!

Laser focus Bad Bob, ignore the egos, they will have their day. Good luck!

Thanks G-Town. It's just a matter of remembering what I want and working toward that and letting all the rest of it go. It may not be easy but when you got to do it, you do it. Take Care

Bad Bob

Update: 2nd Weekend:

Things went better last weekend than the first one.

The doctor was supposed to show up last weekend and never did. He finally showed up on Sunday and that was the quickest physical I ever got. Basically he said, "How are you feeling?"

"OK."

"Do you take any medications?"

"Prilosec, occasionally because I like my greasy foods and aspirin when I get a headache."

"Send in the next guy."

(I'm glad I didn't study for that test because I have a feeling if I had walked in and had a pulse he would have passed me.)

***

The rest of the weekend we did lessons in the computer and walked through the pre-trip. It's a long son-of-a-#$*&^%$. So there's definitely going to be some serious memorizing.

I am getting more at ease with what is going on. Maybe it's them getting used to me or me getting used to them.

Whatever, I'm anxious to get in the truck and start rolling those wheels. Forward or backward doesn't make any difference to me at this point. I do got the itch back to get control of those big monsters. Oh yeah, we did do a hook and unhook a few times. I was glad my ancient brain remembered all of it. Maybe, "the old grey matter ain't what it used to be," but it ain't far off of what it once was. So, I am feeling much better about the process now. It is a gradual process but Rome wasn't built in a day. (And I ain't so old that I was around to see that.)

I'll check back with you all later.

Keep on going and never give up is my mantra for getting back behind the wheel of my big rig. It's worked before and it will work now.

My goal now is to be better than I ever was before. Considering I drove eight years with no unpreventable accidents I don't think I was all that bad.

See-ya-later!

Maybe Not So- Bad Bob

Update 3rd Weekend:

Saturday; Not so bad. We did exercises on log books and recaps. I gotta admit the hours of service seem to have changed since I did this before so a whole lot of it looks brand new. At least I still know how to draw a straight line by using a ruler.

Sunday; Interesting day to say the least. Took a log test in the morning. Not a problem. Didn't get the test back but I'm pretty sure I passed with room to spare.

The afternoon: Well I've already emailed the school's director about this. We have a trainer who likes to yell at everyone. We're only doing straight-line backing. I jumped in the truck and she starts screaming. The woman confused the hell out of me. As soon as she walked away I nailed it. No problem. Didn't touch any cones and it was easy. I did the straight backing 4 more times with no problem. Didn't touch a cone and kept it straight.

She came back later and with her screaming it was extremely hard to keep a straight line but I didn't hit one cone. She was screaming about me regulating the speed going backward by using the clutch.

With having someone there that likes to scream at people it makes it hard to concentrate on what you are doing. Anyway, I'll see what the School's Director says about this.

They got to know this has been going on.

Why they would allow this is beyond me.

If she's doing this on the road with an inexperienced student that creates a very dangerous situation.

Anyway, I will keep you posted on developments.

Bad Bob