Ready To Roll

When I awoke this morning and logged in, I saw your initial response, answered it, and then pondered on it while running errands. (picking up 7yr MVR , replacing SS card) I came to the conclusion that when I found this site, it was a tool for learning about the trucking industry, and it has served that purpose well.

What I also came to realize is that you were right, in alluding to the fact that I was trying to 're-invent the wheel' as it were. To that end, I hit the metaphorical reset button. I went back to the beginning, cleared my mind and logged on the site as a brand new newbie. With the added benefit of knowing how to navigate the website.

Where I ended up, was your 8 part series on "Choosing a Truck Driving Job"

From there I found your online book on "The Raw Truth" and read it 'cover to cover'. Along the way I made observations, and even took a few took notes.

What I ended up with, is a better understanding of fitting me into the trucking industry, instead of trying to fit the trucking industry around me… if that makes any sense.

I realized that a certain amount of home time IS important to me, but so to is the ability to drive the country. Kind of a mix between OTR and regional. Is that even possible? I think I prefer the drop and hook lifestyle to the sit and wait with Refrigerated loads, but I would like the idea of the long runs with refrigerated, kid of a best of both worlds scenario. I wouldn't mind a few weeks of coast to coast runs, followed up with several weeks of regional type runs. Is that frowned upon? Is it encouraged? Is it even realistic?

I decided I'm ok with being a truck number, as I am quite the introvert, and that is what drew me here in the first place. So, I will prefer a bigger company to a smaller one.

I am interested in driving a tanker, but all that sloshing has me a bit concerned as a newbie, and may save that for year 3 or 4. I'm pretty sure I'm in no hurry to hit NY, but I also know I need to take what they give me, and will put myself in a better position not making these demands, or refusing a load. Besides, I ain't skeered. Ok, maybe a little.

I know I need to really get a handle on the split berth to maximize my hours …. which brings me to a question.

I noted your book the Raw Truth was written back in '07, and you had several pages on how to 'maximize your miles'.

Now, 6 years later, with so many rigs having the Qualcomm , or Satcomm, how is it possible to run over your time? and maximize you miles? Sure, the split sleeper berth is an option, and I can see how that can increase my miles, but with the 8day/70hr rule, there is only so much I can do. Or is there? with all the automated logs out there, do companies still 'look the other way?" or are they more strict about you keeping in compliance?

I guess what Im asking is, Does that part of your book accurately reflect TODAYS environment? and with the new regulations, can you still run the split berth, and be in compliance?

Also, I am having difficulty locating the pre-hire application you have on here …. I know I've seen it somewhere.

I am reconsidering everything, instead of 'locking in' and going company sponsored (I still might), I am also looking into a state accredited school, or a 'placement agency' and would like to send out several pre-hire applications.

Ok, Starcar, I'll make that NUMEROUS applications

Brett, I really appreciate you guidance AND your encouragement ... I'm a bit competitive (even with myself) about perfection and kick myself for getting anything wrong. I'm bouncing between a 98 and 99, right now, which, I guuueeesss is 'acceptable'

Seriously though, I appreciate the acknowledgment. It matters to me.

Peace

P.R., I just want to throw one more thing in here just to keep you confused (Just kidding!) it's more to keep you researching. When looking at various pay rates it seems pretty obvious which ones are paying better, but it's not really that way. You need to know the average amount of miles their drivers are receiving.

I started out just under .30/mile and a friend of mine started at .40/mile at a different company. After comparing notes we discovered I was making considerably more money because I was getting 3,000 miles a week compared to his 1500. You can do the math, but that mileage factor is a big determining factor in your take home pay.

P.R., I just want to throw one more thing in here just to keep you confused (Just kidding!) it's more to keep you researching. When looking at various pay rates it seems pretty obvious which ones are paying better, but it's not really that way. You need to know the average amount of miles their drivers are receiving.

I started out just under .30/mile and a friend of mine started at .40/mile at a different company. After comparing notes we discovered I was making considerably more money because I was getting 3,000 miles a week compared to his 1500. You can do the math, but that mileage factor is a big determining factor in your take home pay.

That's a really good point, One I will be sure to continue asking the recruiters

Well just to give an update, I have sent off and received new copies of my BC and SS cards. I'm waiting on applying for my Passport until I'm actually accepted and committed to a school. I figure the time in school will time out right for me to have my PP in hand when I graduate and receive my CDL.

I have a friend that works at a terminal , and they might be able to work me in as a dock bumper, to get some experience driving ahead of time. If it pans out, and they let me use a truck for testing, I might attempt to forego the whole schooling process and just get my CDL-A here. I may still opt for schooling though, just to get the extra training.

Question: Would they still put me on the road with a trainer in that scenario? OTR with a trainer really appeals to me as a newbie.

Put in some practice time today. My nephew has a p/u tuck, and I have an 18' flatbed trailer. We hooked it up and I did a few hours of backing, turning parallel parking and driving. Need some more practice with turning the steering wheel the correct way, and also with the long back ups, as it is easy to get out of square. I know it's not the same as a big rig, but the fundamentals 'should' be the same, and I am much more confident about backing, etc even before I get into a rig.

Besides, it makes me think about which way I want to turn my front tires to make the trailer go where I want it.

The only thing I am waiting on now, is for some home repair contractors to finish up so I can make a decision and head off to school.

You definitely do not want to forego the schooling. Major companies will not hire anyone that hasn't had legitimate training. You can technically get your CDL without going to school, but you'll have a nearly impossible time finding work. I get messages once in a while from people in that situation. They have their CDL but nobody will hire them.

Now if that company intends to hire you and send you on the road with a trainer for a couple of months so you can learn the ropes out there, that might be more feasible. But you'll have to stay with them for at least a year or so and get a year of safe OTR driving under your belt. Otherwise you're going to be in the same position - you'll have your CDL but no legitimate schooling and not enough time on the road to show you're a proven driver.

It makes perfect sense to consider skipping the schooling, but the insurance companies that mandate the minimum qualifications of the drivers a company can hire won't accept you.

Thanks for that info, Brett, and that makes perfect sense from a companies / insurance perspective. Plus I think it would do me good to have the training.

I have a test with an audiologist tomorrow. Did I read something somewhere that says I can't have one ear more than 40% worse than the other ear? Does that include a hearing aid? I know I have really bad hearing in one ear, and want to know the parameters going in.

Thanks

The only thing I've been told about the hearing is that you have to be able to hear a "forced whisper" from like 10 feet away. And hearing aids are perfectly acceptable. I haven't read anything about one ear being 40% worse than the other but I don't believe there's any truth to that.

You can always call any doctor that gives DOT physicals and ask about the physical. But if you have hearing aids I don't think it will be a concern.

Thanks Brett,

It was actually 40db, not 40%, and the forced whisper test is from 'not less than 5'. For those wanting to try this at home, have someone stand behind you with the 'better ear' facing the whisperer. That person then takes a breath, expels the breath completely. Once the breath has been expelled, the speaker should 'force whisper' (while out of breath) a series of numbers or/and words. If you can hear those numbers/ words, you will pass the test. I have also read that some testers will have you place a finger over the targus (flap) of the other ear, and possible rub it while listening to the speaker.

Here is the DOT article I was referring to ...

391.41(b)(11) A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial vehicle if that person: First perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than five feet with or without the use of a hearing aid. or If tested by use of an audiometric device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to the American National Standard, [formerly American Standard Association (ASA)] Z24.5-1951.

YYYEEEEAAAAAHHHHH .... finished up the High Road CDL Training .... or, at least I think did...It just keeps going and going and going ... like the energizer bunny. LOL.. Seriously though, I'm at 113% complete ... how high does it go, and How do I get back to page 137 ?

Ok, to be honest, I'm not sure what you did but you're nowhere near the end of the program. Somehow you got up into pages that don't even exist and I hadn't even accounted for that. You're actually halted right now.

Go to this page:

CDL Training Program

It's going to tell you that you're halted because you're 0 for 3 on one of the questions.

I'm scratching my head trying to figure out how you got up into pages that don't exist. The highest page in the program is 118. I'm not sure what happened but you should be able to go to that link and resume the program.