Do You Like CAT, Cummins Or Other?

PS - If I were to wanna be a truck, I'd long to be a Kenworth classic-hood model sporting a Cummins underneath. I would want my driver to also professionally float my gears.

This made me laugh out loud, then cringe. I mean, eeeewwwwww. No offense, but if I were a truck, I sure wouldn't let anyone drive me! I'd drive myself!! And what she does with my gears is none of your business!!!

Wait a minute, that didn't come out right. Oh well, moving on.

Oscar, I think the basic problem has already been stated several times, but I'll try one more analogy just so I can say I tried.

Let's say, for example, that this forum was all about how to get started in a career as a software developer. You would expect a lot of threads about whether it's necessary to move to Silicon Valley, which programming language is best to learn first, whether it's worth going to college vs. learning on the job, if college, then what major, what sort of salary to expect as a web developer vs. database developer vs. application developer, the difficulty for newbies when starting out working in assembly on embedded systems, how to get hired, how to get promoted, what sort of jobs are good for starting out, how can anyone get any work done when they're put into an open office seating arrangement, should I quit this job and just start working the gig economy, can I make enough off a website to make it worthwhile while I'm working full-time as a truck driver, etc. etc.

Then along comes a guy who wants to talk about different kinds of keyboards. Do you like the old clicky Model M IBM keyboards, or the rubber dome keyboards, or the tactile keyboards, or the kind that are just sort of rubbery that you can roll up and whip out in an instant when you need to start hacking into the Social Security Administration mainframe like that kid in "Live Free or Die Hard"? Or something else?

Then the people who are actually working as programmers and developers offer a couple of thoughts. Some will say clicky, some will say whatever comes with the laptop, some will tell how that rubber roll-up keyboard really sucks and is a waste of money. Of course, I'm the one who is going to tell you all about how great the keyboards from Unicomp are and then offer suggestions about exactly where to map the Ctrl, Tab, and Esc keys. (This will almost certainly draw Rick S. into the conversation.)

Then someone will point out that, hey, wait a minute, what does this have to do with starting a new career writing software anyway? Yes, the tools are important, but what I really want to know is how do I get past that f'ing whiteboard exercise that Google does so I can get hired there!

And now the guy who wants to talk about keyboards (and previously started threads on which kind of laptop is best, will ARM completely displace Intel and AMD in the CPU market, will tablets completely replace laptops, how much memory should you have on your smartphone, and what sorts of foods are available at the commissary where you work) is offended.

That's what this is like. Sort of.

Then there is the aviation analogy. Considering to be a pilot. General aviation, military aviation or commercial aviation? Do I wear corrective lenses, glasses? YES! Then military aviation is OUT! OK, there's civil aviation which may allow glasses. What kind of aircraft do I want to fly? Helicopters or fixed-wing airplanes? Well, fixed-wing pilots are in super low demand these days so it would have to be helicopters. Ok, how much is flight training? Oh, about $100,000 to $250,000! Can I afford it? No way! Will any government programs subsidize it? Most likely not!

Then were back to driving commercial trucks as a possibility. Not as much "OUCH!" in the wallet as is private flight school. Trucks are probably a little less hazardous than helicopters to boot.

How much is CDL school? Oh, about $2,000 to $5,000, I read not long ago. Can I afford it out of pocket? Well, it depends upon whether my state's vocational rehabilitation will support it financially or not. I am on disability and on fixed income now. Then, there also might be the possibility of getting trained by a company as opposed to an independent school where I would not need tuition money up front. I should also mention I am a veteran with an honorable discharge but my GI bill benefits are long expired not that that benefit would have supported CDL school anyway.

Ok, Bud A, I now see your point. Better not to put the cart in front of the horse or the trailer in FRONT of the tractor!

I should worry now about whether I have the financial means to even enter trucking in the fisrt place and not be worried over vehicular equipment as engines and gas pedal designs.

Point well taken, sir!

Then there is the aviation analogy. Considering to be a pilot. General aviation, military aviation or commercial aviation? Do I wear corrective lenses, glasses? YES! Then military aviation is OUT! OK, there's civil aviation which may allow glasses. What kind of aircraft do I want to fly? Helicopters or fixed-wing airplanes? Well, fixed-wing pilots are in super low demand these days so it would have to be helicopters. Ok, how much is flight training? Oh, about $100,000 to $250,000! Can I afford it? No way! Will any government programs subsidize it? Most likely not!

Then were back to driving commercial trucks as a possibility. Not as much "OUCH!" in the wallet as is private flight school. Trucks are probably a little less hazardous than helicopters to boot.

How much is CDL school? Oh, about $2,000 to $5,000, I read not long ago. Can I afford it out of pocket? Well, it depends upon whether my state's vocational rehabilitation will support it financially or not. I am on disability and on fixed income now. Then, there also might be the possibility of getting trained by a company as opposed to an independent school where I would not need tuition money up front. I should also mention I am a veteran with an honorable discharge but my GI bill benefits are long expired not that that benefit would have supported CDL school anyway.

Ok, Bud A, I now see your point. Better not to put the cart in front of the horse or the trailer in FRONT of the tractor!

I should worry now about whether I have the financial means to even enter trucking in the fisrt place and not be worried over vehicular equipment as engines and gas pedal designs.

Point well taken, sir!

First, Oscar, thank you for your service. I appreciate it.

Second, I assume that your disability would not disqualify you from operating a CMV. If you are not sure of that, you should make sure of it before doing anything else. (If you already mentioned this in another thread, I apologize. I don't recall it.) No need to give details if you don't want to, just be sure you are not disqualified medically or otherwise.

Third, and just FYI, I think I have read here that some GI Bill benefits will pay for school.

Fourth, the financial means required to start do not have to be huge. It all depends on your situation. If you go to a company-sponsored school, you can probably get by with having something like $1000 set aside (in addition to whatever sorts of bills you have in order to take care of your usual expenses).

Will your current income continue while you are in school? I would find that out. Assuming you are getting by on that amount now, a company school might be a great fit, since you'll make money while training. The first hurdle is the hardest. Is this something you really want to do? Is there something keeping you from making the leap? Is there something else you are thinking of doing instead?

Then there is the aviation analogy. Considering to be a pilot. General aviation, military aviation or commercial aviation? Do I wear corrective lenses, glasses? YES! Then military aviation is OUT! OK, there's civil aviation which may allow glasses. What kind of aircraft do I want to fly? Helicopters or fixed-wing airplanes? Well, fixed-wing pilots are in super low demand these days so it would have to be helicopters. Ok, how much is flight training? Oh, about $100,000 to $250,000! Can I afford it? No way! Will any government programs subsidize it? Most likely not!

Then were back to driving commercial trucks as a possibility. Not as much "OUCH!" in the wallet as is private flight school. Trucks are probably a little less hazardous than helicopters to boot.

How much is CDL school? Oh, about $2,000 to $5,000, I read not long ago. Can I afford it out of pocket? Well, it depends upon whether my state's vocational rehabilitation will support it financially or not. I am on disability and on fixed income now. Then, there also might be the possibility of getting trained by a company as opposed to an independent school where I would not need tuition money up front. I should also mention I am a veteran with an honorable discharge but my GI bill benefits are long expired not that that benefit would have supported CDL school anyway.

Ok, Bud A, I now see your point. Better not to put the cart in front of the horse or the trailer in FRONT of the tractor!

I should worry now about whether I have the financial means to even enter trucking in the fisrt place and not be worried over vehicular equipment as engines and gas pedal designs.

Point well taken, sir!

First, Oscar, thank you for your service. I appreciate it.

Second, I assume that your disability would not disqualify you from operating a CMV. If you are not sure of that, you should make sure of it before doing anything else. (If you already mentioned this in another thread, I apologize. I don't recall it.) No need to give details if you don't want to, just be sure you are not disqualified medically or otherwise.

Third, and just FYI, I think I have read here that some GI Bill benefits will pay for school.

Fourth, the financial means required to start do not have to be huge. It all depends on your situation. If you go to a company-sponsored school, you can probably get by with having something like $1000 set aside (in addition to whatever sorts of bills you have in order to take care of your usual expenses).

Will your current income continue while you are in school? I would find that out. Assuming you are getting by on that amount now, a company school might be a great fit, since you'll make money while training. The first hurdle is the hardest. Is this something you really want to do? Is there something keeping you from making the leap? Is there something else you are thinking of doing instead?

Thank you for the nicer reply, Bud. My GI benefits expired in 2005. My disability is related to obesity: my doctor said I should be in normal health again when I get to about 200 pounds or below. I am looking at about the middle of 2018. I am now on a strict diet and exercise plan.

My VA income benefit should continue through school as long as I am not getting paid any employment wages. I still have yet to consult with my state's voc/rehab agency to find out what extent they would support this. I am age 53. When I was in California in 2014, I had been working with voc/rehab in that state and they supported me to achieve an AS in computer networking management. I fear at my age and not having a BS or higher it might be nearly impossible for me to get employment in that field. Voc/rehab would not support me through a BS degree in CIS.

Trucking seems like the good-paying ideal job for the older set in an age of age discrimination in the American workforce. Trucking seems older-person friendly.

I have $2,000 in a credit card line and some saving in the bank. So, surviving once employed in a paid capacity as a driver would not be an issue.

Voc/rehab later on may suggest I take the route whereby the company offers CDL training. Hopefully, voc/rehab might pay for the DMV fees. I plan to consult with my local voc/rehab agency next month. I have three of five days interim weekend jail time left to serve for a petty theft plea deal. The judge may get this clean off my record a year from now if I am a good boy. I also have two misdemeanor convictions from 1999, non-DUI/non-violent (basically verbal threat charges) and no felony crimes on my record. My driving record is perfect with a good-driver discount from my auto insurance carrier.

I hope a petty theft on my record would not harm me for employment in trucking if the company were to find out about it. I have heard that if you are without any felonies, you are pretty much a shoo-in for trucking employment.

Voc/rehab later on may suggest I take the route whereby the company offers CDL training. Hopefully, voc/rehab might pay for the DMV fees. I plan to consult with my local voc/rehab agency next month. I have three of five days interim weekend jail time left to serve for a petty theft plea deal. The judge may get this clean off my record a year from now if I am a good boy. I also have two misdemeanor convictions from 1999, non-DUI/non-violent (basically verbal threat charges) and no felony crimes on my record. My driving record is perfect with a good-driver discount from my auto insurance carrier.

I hope a petty theft on my record would not harm me for employment in trucking if the company were to find out about it. I have heard that if you are without any felonies, you are pretty much a shoo-in for trucking employment.

These are the practical things to find the answer to, I think. I don't know for sure how distant in the past convictions have to be in order to be hired, but I know there are some folks here who have jumped that hurdle, so it's worth finding out. And figuring out the financial part should be pretty easy once you get an answer from voc/rehab. Then it will just be a matter of sticking to the plan and keeping your eyes on the prize. Sometimes that's the toughest part of all.

First what do you mean "Helicopter". It is a Rotary Wing Aircraft. Pilots can and do wear glasses in military aviation.

G. I. Bill benefits do pay for trucking school. It paid for mine. It also pays for my apprenticeship program. G.I. Bill benefits can be used to help subsidize a pilots license. Only problem is because of the nature of how expensive it is you quickly reach your cap allowed. It does have no problem subsidizing an associates in Aviation Maintenance Technology. Speaking of which since I already have my permissions to test from the FAA, maybe I should take a hiatus from trucking after my year mark to kill off the rest of my benefits and get my Airframe and Powerplant license. Not that I will likely use it, but it would be just one more technical license. Then I will have my Master Barber license, CDL-A, and A&P for maintaining Aircraft. There is a General Electric turbine engine plant about an hour from my home. Maybe I can give that a shot. I already have the training and experience doing quality control for aircraft.

Anyways, I strayed to far from the subject.

As far as disabilities, I AM a disabled Vet. Depending on the severity and type of your disability will effect the outcome of a DOT physical. I have 2 bad discs (L4/L5, L5/S1.) degenerative Disc Disease across my entire spine. Permanent nerve damage to my sciatic nerve roots effecting my left leg in sensation and function. Arthritis in both knees and my left shoulder. Reduced range of motion in my left shoulder from scarring inside the socket of my left shoulder. I have moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. (I do have hearing aids for both ears). I have moderate tinnitus. Like any combat vet with 3 deployments, I am just a little ummm, quirky. Despite all that I am disabled NOT handicapped!!!! Like anything life, drive to accomplish determines success far more than the obstacles you must overcome.

The question simply is: How bad do you want it?

Your VA Disability award as long as it is a permanent award gets paid regardless of other income. VA Disability is based on Quality of life, not ability to work. I could be in a job making 200k a year and it wouldn't effect my benefit one bit. I could win the lottery and I will keep getting paid no matter what. Just make sure any job that may have some kind of conflict with your Disability that you get your VA doc to sign a letter stating despite your disability you are able to perform the base tasks for that job.

Good Luck.

Drive Safe and God Speed.

Pop Quiz: What is Gyroscopic Precession? No cheating and no Googling it!!!

First what do you mean "Helicopter". It is a Rotary Wing Aircraft. Pilots can and do wear glasses in military aviation.

G. I. Bill benefits do pay for trucking school. It paid for mine. It also pays for my apprenticeship program. G.I. Bill benefits can be used to help subsidize a pilots license. Only problem is because of the nature of how expensive it is you quickly reach your cap allowed. It does have no problem subsidizing an associates in Aviation Maintenance Technology. Speaking of which since I already have my permissions to test from the FAA, maybe I should take a hiatus from trucking after my year mark to kill off the rest of my benefits and get my Airframe and Powerplant license. Not that I will likely use it, but it would be just one more technical license. Then I will have my Master Barber license, CDL-A, and A&P for maintaining Aircraft. There is a General Electric turbine engine plant about an hour from my home. Maybe I can give that a shot. I already have the training and experience doing quality control for aircraft.

Anyways, I strayed to far from the subject.

As far as disabilities, I AM a disabled Vet. Depending on the severity and type of your disability will effect the outcome of a DOT physical. I have 2 bad discs (L4/L5, L5/S1.) degenerative Disc Disease across my entire spine. Permanent nerve damage to my sciatic nerve roots effecting my left leg in sensation and function. Arthritis in both knees and my left shoulder. Reduced range of motion in my left shoulder from scarring inside the socket of my left shoulder. I have moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. (I do have hearing aids for both ears). I have moderate tinnitus. Like any combat vet with 3 deployments, I am just a little ummm, quirky. Despite all that I am disabled NOT handicapped!!!! Like anything life, drive to accomplish determines success far more than the obstacles you must overcome.

The question simply is: How bad do you want it?

Your VA Disability award as long as it is a permanent award gets paid regardless of other income. VA Disability is based on Quality of life, not ability to work. I could be in a job making 200k a year and it wouldn't effect my benefit one bit. I could win the lottery and I will keep getting paid no matter what. Just make sure any job that may have some kind of conflict with your Disability that you get your VA doc to sign a letter stating despite your disability you are able to perform the base tasks for that job.

Good Luck.

Drive Safe and God Speed.

Pop Quiz: What is Gyroscopic Precession? No cheating and no Googling it!!!

Well, Pat:

Most laymen and most army soldiers call the "rotary wing aircraft" a "helicopter" or sometimes a "chopper".

I entered the army reserves in 1988 and went active in 1989. I asked, as a SP4 in the Reserves, my hometown recruiting NCO about the warrant officer candidate flight school to pilot rotary-wing aircraft and SSG. McBroom said, "Sorry, son, army aviation is closed to those who wear corrective lenses." so, I remained in my current MOS, 63B10, as light-wheeled vehicle mechanic until taking an honorable discharge in the summer of 1995 under Clinton's RIF program thus cutting my second active hitch two years short.

Maybe things have changed over the 22 years since I got out of the service regarding wearing glasses in military aviation.

The VA benefit I receive is called the Pension (formerly known as the Improved Pension) because my disability is non-service connected and that i served at least 24 hours during the Persian Gulf War era. I was told that I would lose this benefit dollar for dollar for every dollar I make working.

As for the GI Bill expiring that is not a big deal depending on if you go private (technical college) vs company sponsored schools. My GI Bill expired way back in 08' and I was able to get the VA to pay a portion of the tuition. I was laid off unemployed and was able to get state lottery funds, VA, and state workforce funding to cover the majority of costs. I just had to come up with a small bit. There are programs out there. Do some research comparing company vs private schools.