My Journey To A New Life As An OTR Trucker Begins

Have you been sending out applications to various companies? I always recommend rifling off applications to as many of the trucking companies that offer paid training as possible. You might get on with Swift right away, but in case it falls through you'll have other options lined up.

Not yet, Brett. I have been looking at Prime, Stevens and Schneider as well, but have not yet applied. I like Swift for the fact that they give a full scholarship to veterans, and the training academy is here in Texas as well. One big problem I have is very limited funds right now, so I need to try and find a company that will put me to work with little or no up front costs. At Swift's academy in Corsicana, they put you up at a neighboring motel on their dime I believe, another big draw.

I am also concerned about passing the DOT physical, mainly due to my hearing. I have an appointment with the VA clinic on Aug 5 to receive my hearing aids. Now there would be a chance that I could pass the forced whisper test without the hearing aids. When I was tested in May in the booth by the VA audiologist, my hearing loss at its worst point in the frequency range was not quite -40 decibels, the DOT threshold for failure for uncorrected hearing loss. However, I just want to be sure I have the best shot to pass as possible. In the meantime, I am working on the High Road Training, which I have completed about 25% so far, and I have been cramming as much general knowledge about the industry into my head as possible.

One thing that is encouraging is that the DOT, after receiving pressure from groups like the National Association for the Deaf, has begun granting exemptions to the hearing impaired beginning Feb 1 this year. Here is a link for information on this for anyone who might wish to know more:

DOT Recognizes Deaf and Hard of Hearing Truck Drivers!

Now it would seem to me that it would be discriminatory to grant these exemptions to only a few drivers in my situation, and not more. Perhaps changes are in store.

Brett, thank you so much for your advice. Your book, along with your website, have been my prime sources for learning and advice on becoming a truck driver. I would very much like to hear your opinions, and the opinions of others here as well, on what you or they might do if walking in my shoes at this point.

I would say it sounds like you're on the right track.

- Keep looking into grants and special services provided for Veterans.

- Get those hearing aids tuned up. You're right - they have permitted a lot more in the way of hearing-impaired drivers in recent years so hopefully you won't run into any snags with that.

- Keep working on the High Road Training Program

- Apply to all of the Company-Sponsored Training Programs and get a dialogue going with the recruiters.

And don't sweat your decision about the first company you choose. For years it's been very challenging for me to help people understand that the first company you go with is not very important. For one, it's not "the company" that you're going to like or dislike. It's going to be your trainer initially, and your dispatcher once you go solo, that you'll like or dislike.

The trainer you get is just luck. Hopefully they'll assign a good one.

As far as your dispatcher - once you've spent a few months proving you're a safe, reliable, hard working driver with a great attitude you should have no problem getting good miles and fair treatment.

And finally, that first year is all about learning the industry, adapting to life on the road, and learning to handle that rig. Once you get a year of safe driving under your belt you can work for almost any company in the nation.

So I would apply to all of the trucking companies that offer paid training and get a dialogue going with them. Hopefully you'll get accepted be several of them and have some nice options to choose from.

I will do that Brett. Also, I called the VA today, and I do indeed qualify for VRAP, the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program that will pay me 1500 month if I go to school full time. That may allow me to look into going to a drivers school or Junior College.

Hey, that's awesome news about the VRAP! That's definitely going to give you more options. Outstanding!

Hey, that's awesome news about the VRAP! That's definitely going to give you more options. Outstanding!

Hmmm. The Swift recruiter never emailed me the documents he said he would. I wonder what is up with that? I am not so certain that I want to go that route now that I have found that I may be able to go to Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, TX to attend their driving school. It is $3500, but I may be able to swing it with help from the VA and perhaps a TPEG grant. I sure like the idea of coming out of college with more employment options and little or no debt.

Yeeeeeeee Hawwwww!!!

I got a confirmation Email today that, based upon my status, I qualify for Federal Education Assistance in the form of a grant. Also, I can still get my VA assistance, which means basically I can go to Del Mar College in Corpus Christi to get my CDL-A, with all expenses covered. That opens up more options for employment coming out of the school.

Now, I feel like I can stop worrying about passing my DOT physical. If for some reason I fail it, I can still go back to school and earn a certificate or degree in a high demand career field. That is only my fall back though. I want to drive a truck.

Whoa! That's a potential game-changer, eh? Fantastic news!

Wow, even better news today. After speaking again with a VA rep about VRAP, he said I would likely qualify for the Hazelwood Exemption for Texas vets, which would cover all tuition. Things are looking pretty good. I have been dieting, and running hard on my recumbent bike and working with dumbells (which I intend to carry in the truck with me when the time comes), so I am getting into better shape. My blood pressure has been better lately as well. Got to get er done.

Tim L: Way to go! I am in a truck driving school at Midland College at Midland, TX. From my experience here is some advice you probably don't need: get a manual for CDL and start reading it and starting working the training here on this site! Then you'll come to the class with a lot more confidence and be ahead of the curve ball!

Also, you are a vet, eh? Thanks for your service! I am sincerely glad for the Hazelwood act and anything advantage you receive. Take care.

-Dave S.

Tim L: Way to go! I am in a truck driving school at Midland College at Midland, TX. From my experience here is some advice you probably don't need: get a manual for CDL and start reading it and starting working the training here on this site! Then you'll come to the class with a lot more confidence and be ahead of the curve ball!

Also, you are a vet, eh? Thanks for your service! I am sincerely glad for the Hazelwood act and anything advantage you receive. Take care.

-Dave S.

Thanks, Dave. Already about a third of the way through the High Road, trying to work on some of it almost every day. Is your training a three week course, and how do you like it.