From 911 To Trucking
Topic 23079 | Page 2
I totally get it and it sounds different coming from a man than a woman.
check out my article about the CDL exam. it talks about how many of us failed a couple times, but became successful.
Failed the Exam? Dont Sweat it
My other articles include team training with men, sexism, money management, motivation and more! theres even a good one about OTR marriages and relationships the men thought was great.
and Good luck!!!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
You will definitely be able to take hometime across the country to see family if the company you choose runs that area. in the beginning, you will be so exhausted that tourist attractions will be the last thought in your head. that first six months solo i crawled into my sleeper and collapsed. i started planning 2.hr naps into my drive shift. i once.pulled into a rest area and fell asleep on the steering wheel. i woke and thought i was rolling backwards, slammed the brake pedal, then realized the guy next to me was pulling forward. it happens often in the beginning.
keep in mind in the beginning it will seem terrifying if it didnt you would be a moron who i dont want on the road lol.
look at it as bootcamp and stages. get thru the training... get through the first 6 mos solo... that is when the backing starts to click at 6 mos.
and Kim... ur so funny lol
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I PASSED!!!!
I think I may have barely squeaked through by a few points. My setup for the alley dock was terrible and I thought the test was over then, but somehow I managed to reposition myself just right and squeezed right in with inches to spare. I thought I sunk myself on the road test because I stalled a couple times and had a few instances of not being able to find a gear, but the trainer said that was sometimes a problem with the truck, so I don't think she penalized me for it. I didn't hit any curbs, read almost all the signs, and checked my mirrors and intersections constantly, and I think that's what saved me.
I'm so glad this part's over!! I'm going to take a little time to rest. Then do some cleaning and laundry. I booked a message as my graduation present to myself :) Also I'm going to do some Lyft and Uber driving to make some money before heading to orientation!
Again, thank you soooo much for the words of encouragement!! They really helped to keep me calmer today :)
whoooo hooo!!! thats what i want to hear!! a d a.massage? a woman after my own heart lol u go girl u deserve it!!!
dont wait too long before orientation though. the sooner the better. after 90 days, the potentcy of your certificate declines and some companies might want you to re train in that case.
keep.us informed!
So I'm at orientation now and everything was going well...... Until I got put on a medical hold. I'm still going to the classes, but they won't let me drive, so I'm just in this frustrating limbo. My old doctor is supposed to be sending files over, which is the alternative to my leaving and going back to Florida just so I can have an appointment with that doctor :/ I'm so worried that they will refuse to hire me because of all this, and then I have no idea how I will pay the school back for training I won't even be able to use :( :(
I hope everything gets worked out soon for you.
I'm so worried that they will refuse to hire me because of all this, and then I have no idea how I will pay the school back for training I won't even be able to use :( :(
I'm sorry. Unfortunately, this is one of the many reasons we suggest company sponsored training. Many companies have stricter requirements than CDL schools, including driving/criminal history as well as medical issues. Because of that, some people get the CDL then can't get hired.
My suggestion, try not to take no. Not sure what the issue is, but if it is a medication issue, ask if you can try having your doctor exchange your prescription for an approved medication. I know several people who went home and 30 days later came back proving the changed the Rx. Donna posted that she was almost sent home due to a sleep apnea test she had years ago. She was originally told she would have to pay for a new test upfront. Instead of taking no, she went to a supervisor with power and got approval. Prime then fronted the money for the apnea test and she is now in the second phase of training. Your other option, depending on the issue, you might be able to try another company. I know people who have gone from orientation to orientation. The problem being, the same issue might arise.
If you feel comfortable telling us the issue and company, we might be better able to assist you.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
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Thank you, Rainy!!!!!
That really is exactly what I hoped this job would be. Dispatching is very similar to your USPS experience - its often very micromanaged, there's loads of stress, you work weekends and holidays in a windowless box, and for far less pay than you deserve.
I was really hoping that trucking would be a lot less stress, getting to travel and see things, maybe get to see friends and family who are spread out all over the country, so I'm really, really glad to hear that has been your experience :)
I take my CDL exam tomorrow morning. I was so nervous after leaving school today that I started crying in front of a bank employee :/ But reading your account has put my mind a little more at ease. I'm still very worried about the alley dock and the road test, but at least I'm a little more hopeful now. :)
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: