Hello: Intro. To Trucking Truth.
Topic 23954 | Page 1
Hello. I am in my training phase, so I can't answer alot of questions for you, as I still have my own, but I wanted to say Hi. I was a hairdresser for 32 years and started with Prime3 months ago for many of the same reasons. It's tough, but I love it. Don't be scared. Just do it. You get pretty creative when it comes to peeing. Lol. I will let the old dogs, called moderators, answer all the fun questions. This site will be instrumental to your success as a truck driver.
Welcome! Not sure if you've read these links but I'll give ya our "starter package"
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
We're here to answer any questions you have. We have a couple highly succesful women drivers in this forum, as well as a trainer from CFI. If you have any specific questions feel free to post over in the general discussions area. As you may have already noticed your options may be more limited to living so far south in Florida but not impossible. I look forward to following along in your journey.
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Hi and welcome. This "old dog moderator" can b3 a girlie girl too lol
ive written articles on training, sexism, marriage OTR , and the culture shock of trucking. Be sure to read as many blog articles as you can.
yes you have to get out in the cold. even when you are sick. this is something my current trainee has realized. when solo, you can keep a traveling commode on the truck. Yes you can ask for downtime before the next load, but if you take a load, be responsible enough to get it done.
and if you have read my comments... i make it a point to get massages and spa treatments in my terminal...i rent jacuzzi suites when i want and get "girlie". but the more girl stuff you bring OTR the less living space you have.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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.
Your concerns about liquid elimination from the human body reminds me of an old joke. One answer to your question is this: Depends
Bruce, your funny!! Thanks for all of your replies! I meant to put this post in general discussion and not "Diaries" but oh well. So nice to hear from you Rainy D. Do they have massages and spa stuff in the terminals????? And jacuzzi suites? or do you just go off site and get a Hotel suite and go to the spa? Rob T.: CFI told me I would do well on a run they cal SEC: Super Regional East Coast Earn 2 days off for every 14 days out Driver will remain in the hiring area per the map States: DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WY This would work out great because our kids are in VA so we could probably see them more often than we do now! Stephanie-Thanks for your encouragement!! I wish you the best!
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
Hey Andrea, CFI has a SE regional and it is easy to switch to OTR if that works better for you. It is better for you to train in winter so you can learn to drive in snow. I have had a very white past couple of days. CFI will train you with a woman. As far as girlie girl. Rainy is the expert on nice hotels with truck parking. At CFI they reimburse for paid parking which is usually close to the building at Pilot/Flying Js, where we fuel and get our free showers. When in Joplin there is a shuttle that runs from the terminal to the hotels, shopping and restaurants. Having your husband as a copilot and fellow tourist will be great. It is so nice to share the beauty of this country in a way cameras can't catch. The view from the truck is so much better than a car. Good luck.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.
Welcome Andrea.
I can assure you,as a new member, that there are some knowledgeable drivers on this site who will only stir you in the right direction. Any question that you have has already been asked, so pleased don't feel like your question may be dumb and let that feeling deter you from asking. There are too many people that wants you to succeed here.
Trucking is a great career to get into for all of the reason that you are looking for. It is a lot of work at times both physically and mentally. I implore you to make sure everyone is on board at home before you make your decision. The more knowledge that everyone has about the good and bad side of trucking the better. I don't mean to seem negative, but there has been so many times that potential drivers quit all because sacrifice that comes with trucking wasn't taken into account.
I pray that you enjoy your experience at CFI and that you receive everything you are looking for and more.
Andrea, good luck. We have a lot in common. I was a nail technician for 49 years. I can honestly say that there isn't a nail made
that I didn't hammer during my career. Wore out a few hammers, too!
Nail technician... smh... I had to read that twice. First time, I was all "the heck is he saying?" The second time, I was "ah, good dad joke."
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
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Hello. My name is Andrea and I have been considering a career as a truck driver for a few months now. I have been a Nail Technician for 23 years and I need a REAL JOB, meaning a career with benefits that will enable me to have a secure life with healthcare and a little extra $ to have fun with my kids and husband and dog every now and then. Nails is seasonal, I live at the beach in FLorida by Anna maria Island, and its really unheard of to get any benefits in the beauty Industry. Ideally I would like to drive solo and bring my husband and dog with me. I have been offered to come aboard with CFI and Pam. I'm going to go with CFI if I can ever stop being so scared! Scared of leaving the florida sunshine and the beach to go to training in MO. I will freeze to death I think! I have had a troubled and traumatic past and I just think that making this leap will give me purpose and independence and a sense of achievement. Most of all i'm just SCARED about so many things: training in the cold, driving in the cold, being cold,getting out to pee in the cold. Oh yea! What do you do if you have to pee in the middle of the night and you are with your trainer? I'm also a very girlie girl and I have all the comforts of my little pink palace here at home, just the way I want them. It's scares me to death to leave all of that and miss the comforts of home. On the other hand though, I'm strong and tough and really don't see any other opportunities that offer what a career in trucking offer for my future, and be able to take my hubby and dog to boot!! I am looking forward to being a part of the Trucking Truth Family and I would appreciate any and all comments!