Introduction From A NY'er!

First time poster, short time lurker here!

My friend Dawn highly reccomended this site about a week ago, to get my "feet wet" with regards to changing careers. I have definitely found a ton of useful information - so much, that I feel like I'm getting overloaded at times. But, thats never a bad thing. Just break it down, and digest it piece by piece.

As for me, I'm 35. NY (Queens) born & raised (Ha - yes, driving in NYC is a complete & utter nightmare, and this is coming from someone who didnt own a car in the 15 years I've lived there off/on)

I initially started my career in I.T (computer geek). Out of technical school, I got hired on by IBM in 2003. Unfortunately, in 2008, I was laid off due to outsourcing/offshoring.

That got the ball rolling on getting into auto mechanics. I currently work as a light duty mechanic - belts, brakes, alternators, preventative services, etc. Ask me to change the brakes or tune up your car? No problem. Ask me to rip apart the motor and hone the cylinder walls or deck the head, and I'm gonna look at you like you have 3 heads, lol.

It's nice. The money is alright, but I'm tired of struggling, or, to be more accurate, barely skating by.

I'm not going to lie - my 2 biggest motivations are greed & security.

I want to make a good salary. I eventually hope to own a home, have a wife, kids. You know...the american dream - house, dog, white picket fence, etc.

I want job security. I dont want my position outsourced because its cheaper. I dont want to be let go because I'm making too much money in my IT position. (Both of which has happened)

I'm not going to hit those goals in my current state, and as a good friend once told me - "Inactivity breeds failure"

I really dont know if OTR is the right fit for me, but at the same time, theres nothing really holding me back for giving it a year and then reevaluuating things - money made, time alone, etc.

Anyway, I feel like I clobbered youu all with a big ole wall of text, LOL.

I'm sure I'll have tons of questions to ask, and many a brain to pick.

Take care, and be safe everyone!

Welcome to the forum Vinny.

The best place to start is in the beginning...not sure if you have invested the time to read and review the TT starter kit as follows:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

These links will help you establish a really good base of knowledge and realistic set of expectations. Many times the biggest failing a rookie has is lofty expectations void of true reality. The third piece, High Road, a computer based training course designed to prepare you for passing the CDL A permit exams and additional "trucking things".

Not sure what your definition of "just scraping by" is or what kind of money you need to make. Most drivers are not on any kind of a salary; typically paid by the mile or depending on the job hourly. There are some hybrid examples of that, but for the most part that's what you can expect. First year income is usually in the 35-40k range, however many of the first year driver on this forum have reported high 40s, low 50s. Really depends on the individual; your motivation, ability to learn and absorb the difficult learning curve. Keep in mind, truck driving is 100% performance based, a whole lot more to it than what meets the eye.

We're here to help. Liberal use of the search bar, upper left-hand corner of the page, can assist if you have something specific you want to investigate.

Good luck!

I actually started reading Bretts book yesterday morning, and was so hooked, I stayed up untill around midnight last night finishing it, lol

As far as the High Road goes, I've had the time to take the first two tests, I think I scored 96 on the first review test, and I think 86 or so on the second one.

The different distinctions on a CDL B/C is whats tripping me up at the moment.

I keep getting the weight restrictions either totally wrong as far as actual weights go, or get them mixed up.

CDL A i think is 26k and 10k+ lbs CDL B i think is 26k and up to 10k lbs CDL C i think is the one that trips me up because if i remember, it has a wierd weight range

CDL D is for regular vehicles & trucks. Etc

Im definitely going to re-read it. My ultimate goal is to hit 90% or better on each test, then attempt the CDL practice exam

I actually started reading Bretts book yesterday morning, and was so hooked, I stayed up untill around midnight last night finishing it, lol

As far as the High Road goes, I've had the time to take the first two tests, I think I scored 96 on the first review test, and I think 86 or so on the second one.

The different distinctions on a CDL B/C is whats tripping me up at the moment.

I keep getting the weight restrictions either totally wrong as far as actual weights go, or get them mixed up.

CDL A i think is 26k and 10k+ lbs CDL B i think is 26k and up to 10k lbs CDL C i think is the one that trips me up because if i remember, it has a wierd weight range

CDL D is for regular vehicles & trucks. Etc

Im definitely going to re-read it. My ultimate goal is to hit 90% or better on each test, then attempt the CDL practice exam

Hey Yo! I'm from a jersey girl. ;).

If it helps, the Class A is for "combination vehicles" meaning truck and trailer. My truck alone weighs 19k pounds, and with an empty trailer around 35k. It usually has five or more axles.

Class B imagine a truck that is all.one piece like a box truck that has the box attached to the truck. They are usually much shorter so the total weight would be much less. Class C would.be like limousines that would weigh more than a car but much less than a box truck.

Usually the test will have questions like "a class a is needed for combination vehicles weighing:" then it gives the exact ranges you are studying.

It won't be "if a vehicle weighs 17,254 pounds what class is it?"