Tag Archives: Becoming A Truck Driver

The Boot Camp Known As Company-Sponsored Training

Posted on December 6, 2010 by SharBear

Company-Sponsored CDL training is a lot like boot camp. Be prepared to have your self worth, your dignity, your brains, your ability and your patience tested. Once you sign those papers you are at their mercy. Boy could I have begged for mercy more times than I care to admit. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Free CDL Training, Week 1 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Remembering My Earliest Days Of Trucking School

Posted on October 16, 2010 by Brett Aquila

For many of us that drove truck, the early days of becoming a truck driver were some of the most exciting times in our lives. Here’s the story of some of my earliest days in 1993 attending truck driving school and heading out on the road for the first time. Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, First Solo Months On The Road, Passing The CDL Test, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

When Will I Know If Trucking Was The Right Career Choice?

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Brett Aquila

Truck driving is one of the most unique jobs and lifestyles you’ll find anywhere. It’s also one of the most demanding, and trucking certainly isn’t for everyone. Everyone faces tough challenges and almost everyone questions whether or not becoming a truck driver was the right thing to do. How do you know when you’ve seen enough? When do you throw in the towel and say “Wow, this isn’t for me!” Read on and we’ll help you understand what you’re facing and when enough is enough.
Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, First Solo Months On The Road, On The Road In Training, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fighting Through The Challenges Of Life On The Road

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Rick Huffman

After loading up some drywall that had to be tarped on a rainy day in a muddy mess of a parking lot I began to question whether or not becoming a truck driving was a mistake. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, Great Stories, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

An Intro To Big Trucks And Truck Driving School Part III – The CDL Exam

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Brian Laine

After exploring the operation of a big rig and taking a drive, it’s time to take the CDL exam and wrap up this series with some thoughts about the process of getting your CDL. Continue reading →

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An Intro To Big Trucks And Truck Driving School Part II

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Brian Laine

In Part I of my intro to big trucks and truck driving school I talked about signing up for truck driving school at North Cross Commercial Driving School and covered a bit about the anatomy of a typical big rig. Now in part 2 I’ll talk a little bit more about the mechanical aspects of big rigs and we’ll take one for a drive! Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Intro To Trucking | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Questions and Answers for a Truck Driver

Posted on April 8, 2010 by TruckerMike

Recently, I was contacted by an individual who is interested in becoming a truck driver. He asked me several questions about the trucking industry and about my job. I thought they were excellent questions and decided it would be great to share on my blog for any of you interested in becoming a truck driver. I hope this helps answer some of the questions you might have! Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

On The Road In Training With Ringo Part 2

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Rick Huffman

The first couple of weeks on the road driving flatbed were hard, because my body was not conditioned to this pace, this type of work, or these long hours. I lost most of the feeling in the tips of my fingers, and I had aches in places where I would have sworn I didn’t have muscles. Continue reading →

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An Intro To Big Trucks And Truck Driving School Part I

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Brian Laine

If driving a truck has ever crossed your mind, or you just like the looks of that Kenworth, Freightliner, or Peterbilt going by, maybe you would enjoy reading a little more about the trucks and driver training experience, so here goes… Continue reading →

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On The Road In Training With Ringo

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Rick Huffman

My first time out on the road in training I had a patient, entertaining, and unique character for a trainer – Ringo – an imposing, grizzly bear of a man with a beard like Dan Haggerty. His patience and entertaining stories made for a very unique experience. Since we were running southeast regional, we would get to go home on weekends, but the “trucker’s weekend” was not something I’d been prepared for. Continue reading →

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Truck Driving School Part IV – Taking The CDL Exam

Posted on March 25, 2010 by Rick Huffman

Finally, the time to take the road test arrived. We would go, in small groups, to the testing facility in Hartselle, Alabama over the next five days. I would test on the second day, and Alan would test on the fourth. Everyone was nervous, and most of us failed the first attempt. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories, Passing The CDL Test, Week 3 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trucking School Part III – Boot Camp

Posted on March 25, 2010 by Rick Huffman

Almost everyone is abysmal at 45° angle backing to start with, and I was no exception. However, I was not the only one having difficulty. Alan even resorted to mathematical solutions to crack this puzzle, but it didn’t seem to help either of us. But a couple of great instructors stepped in and helped get us going in the right direction. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories, Week 2 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Attending Truck Driving School Part II – First Day On The Yard

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Rick Huffman

Alan and I were both nervous, yet excited about the new challenge before us. We’d be spending the first couple of days in the yard, learning straight-line backing and 45° angle backing. Here we go – my first attempt at backing up a truck. Continue reading →

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Attending Truck Driving School Part I

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Rick Huffman

Priceville, Alabama was where my trucking adventure began. A Super 8 motel room would be my home for the next three weeks while I attended CDL school. I did not know what to expect on the first day, but I met a wide range of personalities in the other students. It was incredible to see the diversity. Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories, Truck Driving School Day-By-Day, Week 1 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Becoming An American Trucker

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Rick Huffman

I was probably one of the most unlikely candidates to become a truck driver that the world has ever seen. I had spent the past 20 years of my life working in television broadcasting in various roles. While it had been exciting and challenging at first, the years had eroded my role into a thankless and suffocating rut. I seriously needed a change…a new experience. This is the beginning of my story – the life of an American Trucker. Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments