Finally Giving This A Go

I came very close to closing my business about a year ago and getting into trucking, but the timing wasn't quite right. Some family circumstances have changed, and I'm ready to do this.

Many thanks to the experienced drivers on this board who have enabled me to think this through as clearly as possible from the outside. I'm not completely at peace, giving up as I am a profitable though unsustainable business, but I'm as close as I have ever been. I've discussed this with some trusted friends as well as my wife and daughter, and I think we're all on the same page now.

I've been talking with Mike, a recruiter at TMC. Their CDL classes are open to people from Kentucky, where I live. I had to submit copies of my tax returns going back to 2012, since I am self-employed. I'm waiting to hear from them now.

As I learn more, I'll post again. For now it's jumping into High Road and learning/relearning a lot of things so I can go to Iowa with my permit.

I've been accepted in TMC's apprenticeship program and begin Dec. 18th. I have much to do to prepare---including closing and emptying the office in which I've lived for almost a decade. Because I have an active Class B CDL I only need to take the written test for Combinations and Air Brakes to have the Class A Permit, according to the TMC recruiter. I hope to have that done by this time next week.

My wife and daughter (16) are with me on this decision, but we are all apprehensive in our own way. For my own motivation, I've written a list of my business profit for every year on the back of a business card which I will carry with me. All I can say for these numbers is they show we have taken frugality to a whole new level.

TMC has graciously thrown down a rope. I am determined to climb it.

Congratulations Ithel, that is exciting!

I strongly recommend that you line up a few other companies as a back-up plan. There can be all kinds of reasons that you haven't considered that can mess up your first orientation. It is always prudent to have three or four companies lined up who are willing to invite you to orientation.

Hey, congrats Ithel!

I would make sure you study the Logbook , Weight & Balance, and Flatbed Securement sections of the High Road CDL Training Program also. You're going to need to know all of that stuff. If you can get a jump on it now you'll have a huge advantage once you start your training. You'll be glad you did it!

I passed the permit tests today (100% on both combinations and air brakes, the only two I had to take to upgrade from Class B license to Class A permit apparently), thanks to your excellent prep material in High Road, Brett. I'll definitely be poring over the rest before I head to Iowa next week, as you suggested. I do plan to take the hazardous materials test, but that may have to wait a bit as I will be at the school before I can be scheduled.

One of the questions asked me to identify the angle at which glad hands are initially brought together. This was also in the High Road material, but I thought I would mention it actually showed up on a real test. I didn't know I knew the answer and didn't recall that it had been in the study guide, but since 90 degrees is the only one that stood out, apparently I learned it from High Road after all, heh.

In my county of KY (possibly statewide?) this test is administered with circle paper and a scantron. I've seen others mention their computerized tests automatically stop once you hit some minimum correct, but with paper you won't really have an option to skip a question and come back to it later.

I see the wisdom of what you suggest, Old School. Should I mention that I'm scheduled for TMC school when talking to other recruiters?

Thanks again for so generously sharing these study resources and for offering your insights. All this is very much appreciated.

Hey, congrats Ithel! That's one big step out of the way, onto the next!

Ithel, I also live in Kentucky and when I took my written tests for my permit, it was all done on computer and yes, once you answered enough correctly the testing stopped. A neighboring county does theirs on paper as you described.. I only know that because a friend had a paper/Scantron test. In Kentucky, it completely depends on your county of residence on whether they do computer or paper testing. Less populous areas use paper tests.

I see the wisdom of what you suggest, Old School. Should I mention that I'm scheduled for TMC school when talking to other recruiters?

It's not important that you do. I'm just thinking it's prudent to have a few pre-hire letters as a backup. Some of us hit a few unexpected bumps in the road when starting this career, and being able to effortlessly switch to plan B is always a good thing.

• Article: Understanding Pre-Hire Letters: The What, Why, And How Of This Important Step
• Trucker's Wiki: "Pre-Hire Letters"
• Forum Topics Tagged "CDL Pre-Hire Letters"

Just an update, no need to reply.

The reality of this has really come home to me. I've spent the better part of this week closing my office, packing boxes, moving furniture, shredding thousands of tax returns and cases of documentation, finishing up odd little house projects so my wife won't have to deal with them, and so on. I know closing my business is the right thing to do for many reasons independent of the decision to drive for a living, but I have to tell you it is really tough. Really struggling with feelings of failure, to be honest, as wrong-headed as that is.

Nevertheless, moving on. TMC is having me pick up a rental car in Lexington Sunday, drive to St. Louis to pick up two other people, and drive on to Des Moines. Amazingly, TMC is also sending us home for Christmas, then travelling back the day after. Here's hoping the agility tests go well.

The only time we fail is when we stop trying/just give up completely. That chapter is finished & a new one begins. The story keeps going & that’s all that matters. Its just the universe’s way of keeping us honest & humble. All the best at TMC!