AJ's Truck Driving Journey
Topic 5059 | Page 2
Alright brother! You've got that ball rolling. Excited to see where the journey leads you. Glad to hear you studied the High Road ahead of time.
Day 3
School is proceeding well. Everyone in my class has come to the conclusion that I have been to school before! lol Thank you High Road Training Program. I am way ahead of the curve.
Today is a full day of work on laptop computers. I'm not sure what is involved. Permit test tomorrow. I'm completely prepared and confident.
TDI is a great outfit. Good people - which is all you can hope for in any organization.
I will try to get back to some of the recruiters I had contacted prior to school today during the breaks.
I'm behind on filling out my job apps that the TDI recruiter wanted by tomorrow. ...Too busy studying and getting settled in at the hotel. Will knock out as many as I can tonight.
One guy that filled them all out last week, but had to restart do to medical card issues, already has two pre hire offers. TDI has amazing placement % numbers. They will find you a job if you are willing and hungry. I came to the right place, it seems.
Until tomorrow.
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.
Pre Hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Glad you're updating your progress. Can't wait to hear how you do in the tractor.
Off to a great start! The more you can relax and focus the easier everything will be. You'll learn more, you'll learn faster, and you'll have more fun doing it. And believe me I remember very well that it's easier said than done when you're basically learning to maneuver a bending building on wheels going backwards. There's nothing relaxing about learning progressive shifting or driving that building on the highway the first few times.
But even learning to drive a rig is an awesome experience. It's soooo satisfying when you see that CDL in your hand and get out there for the first time getting paid as a professional. I'm just as fond of my memories of school as I am my years on the road. And I've forgotten about 1000 loads but I remember the first one like it was yesterday. I can tell you every detail from the color of the shirt my trainer was wearing to the truckstops we visited to the receiver we delivered to. Going solo was the same way.
So to everyone out there that's getting started in trucking - have fun while you're learning! Take the schooling as a serious challenge but enjoy the privilege of learning to drive an awesome American Big Rig! Like anything you do....the more you can enjoy it the better off you'll be in a thousand ways.
Keep it up AJ!
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.
Off to a great start! The more you can relax and focus the easier everything will be. You'll learn more, you'll learn faster, and you'll have more fun doing it. And believe me I remember very well that it's easier said than done when you're basically learning to maneuver a bending building on wheels going backwards. There's nothing relaxing about learning progressive shifting or driving that building on the highway the first few times.
But even learning to drive a rig is an awesome experience. It's soooo satisfying when you see that CDL in your hand and get out there for the first time getting paid as a professional. I'm just as fond of my memories of school as I am my years on the road. And I've forgotten about 1000 loads but I remember the first one like it was yesterday. I can tell you every detail from the color of the shirt my trainer was wearing to the truckstops we visited to the receiver we delivered to. Going solo was the same way.
So to everyone out there that's getting started in trucking - have fun while you're learning! Take the schooling as a serious challenge but enjoy the privilege of learning to drive an awesome American Big Rig! Like anything you do....the more you can enjoy it the better off you'll be in a thousand ways.
Keep it up AJ!
Thank, Buddy
I am making a point of making sure EVERYONE in my class is having fun. I am trying to keep it as light as possible and helping everyone I can, since, it appears, I am so far ahead of everyone on the knowledge tests.
When we get out to the trucks, the field will be level, but I will still make everyone have fun!! This is awesome !
Some people are pretty nervous, but I have them pretty loose now, and they are doing better. This is such an amazing adventure, I don't want anyone to have nightmare experience while I'm around and can help them.
I'm getting some job apps filled out while running practice questions on the school issued laptop. ...awesome
...check in later
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.
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.
.... hanging out in the hotel room with a few hours to breathe, finally. Taking the opportunity to listen to ball game on TV as I knock out this first batch of job apps.
Round 1 is, US Xpress, Stevens, Werner, Roehl and HO Wolding.
The Roehl recruiter swung by today and just knocked are socks off. What a great company.
One more app and it's in the sack. Big day tomorrow getting the permit. Zero apprehension.
Until then.....
Oh yeah! Getting ready for the range next week huh? Watch out for the "Beast"! That one will make you squeal like a 12 year old girl at a Taylor concert and scare the s*** out of you at the same time. 
Oh, and start working out your left leg, you will need the strength and stamina for her clutch...
Oh yeah! Getting ready for the range next week huh? Watch out for the "Beast"! That one will make you squeal like a 12 year old girl at a Taylor concert and scare the s*** out of you at the same time.
Oh, and start working out your left leg, you will need the strength and stamina for her clutch...
Oh, thanks.... lol
That sounds like a hoot! .... Hopefully they got rid of that one since you left. Can you describe the truck more? ... and I'll try to avoid it !! lol
Drive well, buddy .
Oh yeah! Getting ready for the range next week huh? Watch out for the "Beast"! That one will make you squeal like a 12 year old girl at a Taylor concert and scare the s*** out of you at the same time.
Oh, and start working out your left leg, you will need the strength and stamina for her clutch...
Oh, thanks.... lol
That sounds like a hoot! .... Hopefully they got rid of that one since you left. Can you describe the truck more? ... and I'll try to avoid it !! lol
Drive well, buddy .
Got rid of it? That was the best (funnest) one!
Yeah, I will describe it for you: It is white, single axle, standard transmission, blue interior (I think), oh, and it kicks like a mule when you start to back.
Have fun!
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Day 2 of school.
Day 1 was paperwork and DOT physical day. Exhaustive by the waiting. Stressful in the fear of the unknown of 50 year old blood pressure and vision !! lol .... 1 year card approved. All backgrounds passed and clear.
It's go time. Permit on Thursday.
Everything in the CDL manual I am studying is quite familiar. ;) .... thank you High Road Training!
Tonight is massive job apps to fill out. ... will update then.
Keep it on the road.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.