What Did You Do Before Becoming A Truck Driver?
Topic 7924 | Page 45
Firefighter, retired after 32 years....
Certified Diesel Technician for 18 years top pay 46 per hour. Had no interest in becoming Shop management (where mechanics go to die 😂) so I figured I'd put my Class A to use in OTR.... 3 wks in... still can't get hired on... 😔
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.
If you don't have any recent driving experience you may have a hard time getting on anywhere.
I think my company has a program for folks like you where you basically train with someone for a few weeks until you're back in the swing of things.
Certified Diesel Technician for 18 years top pay 46 per hour. Had no interest in becoming Shop management (where mechanics go to die 😂) so I figured I'd put my Class A to use in OTR.... 3 wks in... still can't get hired on... 😔
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.
- Former military - Once out of the military, I went to sales (failed and was fired)...customer service then to a specialist position in mental health for 15 years then fired - Used our daughter's college fund and savings to fund CDL A school after being told by a fellow truck driver the financial difference that a CDL A can make.
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.
I was a technology Director and Product Manager. I was tired of the new ‘must-make-big-splash’ very young inexperienced executives working earnestly to disrupt everything and everyone and pushing older folks out. Layoffs after layoffs in our industry, and mentally being drained, I semi-retired at 57 yrs of age and have been living for 2 months on my retirement (yes, with the 10% penalty for early withdrawal).
I thought, why not try something where I am my own captain and work for the end customer and myself. My kids are grown, Wifey and I are empty nesters. We’ll miss time together for a bit, but my mental health will get a good venue to regenerate.
I attended a very small, very new local CDL school and passed in 17 days.
And now am literally sitting in the SLC Clarion Hotel finishing up my orientation with Prime Inc. preparing to go out on TNT (Trainer and Trainee) for 40k miles. I’m hoping to be done mid/late December.
Best case is I’m in my own company truck first of 2025 and I never have to build software again. The hardest part will be cutting all living expenses down to be able to survive the 20k salary reduction until I can get enough experience and ‘perfect scenario’ to get back close to where I was in the Technology/Software industry. (Maybe Tanker/Hazmat/Doubles??) Frankly, it’s a bit scary, not knowing if I’m going to love it, hate it, or somewhere in the middle. But I’m hoping it’s something I’ll enjoy doing for another 10 years.
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.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
TNT:
Trainer-N-Trainee
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.
Thank you for bumping this, Wales. I think it's rent interesting to see what truck drivers did never that grabbed the steering wheel.
Welcome Wales… I retired early in life, 52 for me and got bored after 11 months. Gave trucking a shot to see what would happen. 11 years later I’m still here. Starting to slow down now a bit. Been a great choice for me, hopefully it will be for you also!!
I got my CDL back in 2008 because I lost my job when the housing market crashed. I was working on a survey crew at the time and when things slacked off, I was low man and was first to go. I was working as a civil drafter before they put me in the field. Before that, I was working in aviation as a civilian contractor doing mechanical and electrical drafting and design for a company that did military aircraft modifications… started in the engineering department before I even graduated high school in 2003. 16 years later, still making more money driving a truck 😂
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.
Time to bump this again. 45 pages of "Before" stories. Enjoy reading and/or add your own.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
This topic has the following tags:
Becoming A Truck Driver Changing Careers Military Veterans In Trucking Older truck drivers Photos The Economy And Politics Truck Driving Stories
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Delivered Pizza at Pizza Hut 2004-2007, fired by asshat manager. Worked for a friend at his Pizza & Subs place until 2013 once business slowed down.