Excited But Nervous!
Topic 28899 | Page 1
Welcome aboard, Dennis! We're glad you're here and will help answer any questions you have, so don't be afraid to ask.
Where are you going to be driving for following orientation next month?
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Thank you!! I appreciate all of you and Brett for making this site.
I am going with C.R. England. I guess I got my timelines backwards. I start training on October 19th and from what I have read orientation starts after I pass my tests to upgrade from a class B to a class A CDL.
I’m a little nervous because I have heard good and bad stories about CRE. I know it’s going to happen but you can understand my nervousness with picking up my life completely, going to another state and doing something with 0 guarantees!
I have wanted to drive truck since my early 20’s but marriage and a kid put that on the back burner. I figure now that I don’t have to worry about any of that I might as well chase a dream.
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.
Welcome, Dennis. I am about two weeks into my training. Truck driving is also something I have considered since I was 21 and I am a few years older than you. So far, it has been quite an experience. If you want to see the country, I can tell you that in those two weeks I have been from Missouri to Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. Now that I have gotten the smaller states out-of-the-way, perhaps I can see some of the bigger ones.
Good luck!
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Thank you, Uncle!!
I’m super excited for this experience. I have read this website upside down, in and out. I’m ready for the lifestyle change.
Today I put in my resignation where I am at and my last day there is October 9th. I’m trying to get most of everything together that I am going to need but I know I’m gonna have to get a few things on the road. Not too worried about it though.
Any advice or input is greatly appreciated by everyone!
Good luck man pay attention to detail on your pre trip and backing !!! I just got my cdl last Friday I go to orientation oct 20th for Schneider . Keep both hands on the wheel when not shifting!! And 15000 on rpms was magic number for me when shifting
So the other day I made a big life decision. I decided I want to go OTR. A little backstory on me.
I am 42 (almost 43) years old. I’ve been divorced twice and currently not in a relationship. My son will be 21yrs old in a couple weeks. I pretty much have nothing tying me down right now. I live with family and the only bill I really have is my car insurance and car loan payment. I am currently a school bus driver, and let me tell you that doesn’t pay the bills.
I love driving, always have. I have never traveled much and know there is a lot I’m missing. I texted my mom the day I made the decision asking her if it was bad that I’m considering becoming a truck driver. Her response was priceless. She said “No, I did it for awhile. Lol. You’ll love it”. All of my family is super excited and supportive of my career change.
Being out there alone won’t be much of an issue as I’m kind of a loaner as it is. I don’t really have friends and as I mentioned I am not in a relationship. I have been divorced just over 2 years and had 1 somewhat of a relationship during that time. Yeah there are things I will miss but they aren’t a big deal due to current technology.
I am supposed to be starting orientation and training on October 19th and honestly that day can’t come fast enough! I have been all over this site the last few days and even read Bretts book.
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.
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.
Thank you Jammer!!
I appreciate the advice!!
Good luck man pay attention to detail on your pre trip and backing !!! I just got my cdl last Friday I go to orientation oct 20th for Schneider . Keep both hands on the wheel when not shifting!! And 15000 on rpms was magic number for me when shifting
So the other day I made a big life decision. I decided I want to go OTR. A little backstory on me.
I am 42 (almost 43) years old. I’ve been divorced twice and currently not in a relationship. My son will be 21yrs old in a couple weeks. I pretty much have nothing tying me down right now. I live with family and the only bill I really have is my car insurance and car loan payment. I am currently a school bus driver, and let me tell you that doesn’t pay the bills.
I love driving, always have. I have never traveled much and know there is a lot I’m missing. I texted my mom the day I made the decision asking her if it was bad that I’m considering becoming a truck driver. Her response was priceless. She said “No, I did it for awhile. Lol. You’ll love it”. All of my family is super excited and supportive of my career change.
Being out there alone won’t be much of an issue as I’m kind of a loaner as it is. I don’t really have friends and as I mentioned I am not in a relationship. I have been divorced just over 2 years and had 1 somewhat of a relationship during that time. Yeah there are things I will miss but they aren’t a big deal due to current technology.
I am supposed to be starting orientation and training on October 19th and honestly that day can’t come fast enough! I have been all over this site the last few days and even read Bretts book.
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.
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.
Lots of luck on your journey!!! Recent CDL grad here and I can tell ya,I'm extremely darn excited about starting this career. It's gonna be a rollercoaster some days but at the end of the day,your mind is gonna reflect back to why you chose this career and that is what's gonna push you to keep going towards your goal. (Annnnd I'm preaching...again). Your gonna do great man. Again lots of luck towards your new AWESOME career
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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So the other day I made a big life decision. I decided I want to go OTR. A little backstory on me.
I am 42 (almost 43) years old. I’ve been divorced twice and currently not in a relationship. My son will be 21yrs old in a couple weeks. I pretty much have nothing tying me down right now. I live with family and the only bill I really have is my car insurance and car loan payment. I am currently a school bus driver, and let me tell you that doesn’t pay the bills.
I love driving, always have. I have never traveled much and know there is a lot I’m missing. I texted my mom the day I made the decision asking her if it was bad that I’m considering becoming a truck driver. Her response was priceless. She said “No, I did it for awhile. Lol. You’ll love it”. All of my family is super excited and supportive of my career change.
Being out there alone won’t be much of an issue as I’m kind of a loaner as it is. I don’t really have friends and as I mentioned I am not in a relationship. I have been divorced just over 2 years and had 1 somewhat of a relationship during that time. Yeah there are things I will miss but they aren’t a big deal due to current technology.
I am supposed to be starting orientation and training on October 19th and honestly that day can’t come fast enough! I have been all over this site the last few days and even read Bretts book.
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.
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.