Comments By ColeTrucker

Hey Christine, welcome to TT!

Congratulations on getting your permit!

Suggestion. Before you finish your course, go face to face with the local companies that you mentioned (and any others) to let them know your intentions and interests. If possible, ask to do a ride along. Some people say it is difficult to get a local job right out of school with no experience. However, difficult is not absolute. Don't wait until you finish school to start looking for a job. Speak with your instructors about local openings, they usually are a wealth of information.

Please keep us updated with your progress! Cole

I am an older woman who really wants to be a truck driver. I worked my way through getting funding in place and going to training. Did really well on permit tests, walk around, airbrakes. I do alright going forward, however I was totally scared of the whole driving a giant truck thing. Regardless I have poured my heart and soul into this process for months now! Any how backing is my biggest issue. So at the first test I turned into a jumble of nervous shaking jelly. OK got a little more practice, went back for my second time and failed on the alley dock. I think I know what I did wrong but it has been 2 weeks and I haven't driven at all. I find that I really want to finish this thing. I have one test left on this permit and I am not sure if I should go for it or give up and try something smaller. Should I go get some warm up? It has been a couple of weeks and I feel like I lost a lover. I mean I am pretty depressed! This is something I really want and one way or the other I am taking this test again. I will be driving something! Do I give up and go b or do I give it my best last shot at a?

Hey Athena welcome to TT!

You already answered your own question. So, lets move on to the real question which is, How are you going to get the practice that you need?

Why haven't you driven for the past two weeks? Are you still in school? What is the expiration date on your permit? In FL your permit is valid for 6 months. Is there a limit to the number of times you can take the test? Are you still scared of the "whole driving a giant truck thing"? Is your school company sponsored or are you paying for the course?

1. If you paid for the course, then speak with your guidance counselor. Ask what options you have in reference to getting more practice. For example, half way through the course, my school allowed me to start over with the class behind me at no extra charge. ref I had a lot of trouble backing also.

2. Do you know anyone with a truck that could help you practice?

3. Rent a small trailer that can hook up to your vehicle, find a large space for you to practice. If the space has no lines for you to follow, go to Walmart and buy a set of 4 or 8 mini cones (found in the soccer section) then outline your own dock space.

4. If/when you get that trailer on your vehicle, try this trick that has worked for me: After you've set up for your maneuver, instead of placing your hand at the top of the steering wheel, place your hand on the bottom. That way, if you need to move your trailer to the right , turn to the right and the same if you need it to go to the left.

a- If you do what I just mentioned, turn the steering wheel to the left until you can see the back of the trailer while leaning out of the window.

b- when you see the trailer, straighten your steer tires and let the vehicle roll back to see the direction the trailer wheels are moving towards.

c- picture an arc on the ground leading to the right inside of your cone.

d- make small adjustments to the right as your tandems follow the imaginary line.

e- if you need to make corrections to the left, try to get under the trailer so you can "push" the trailer in the direction that you want to go.

f- try to keep the left outer side of your tandems close to the inside of the cones.

g- when your trailer tires get in to the box, continue to make small adjustments to see how far you can go in without touching the inner right side cones.

h- if you see that you are about to touch the line while inside the box......stop!

i- turn your wheel to the left so that you can get under the trailer to set up for a straight line back.

j- do it as many times as you need in order to feel comfortable.

5. Last but not least, remember this quote, "“To escape fear, you have to go through it, not around.” ― Richie Norton. I'm sure you've faced your fears at some point in your life. Conjure that energy and face your fear again!

Cole

Focus on the issue and resolve it.

Yeah! one of these buttons is sure to make that reefer nice and quiet....

At least until the driver jumps outta his cab or comes back from his shower.

lmao!!!

Going toward the bulk division for Schneider can anyone give me some insight as to the life?

No info about o/o but if you want to do tanker. Do it!

When your mama taught you how to cook, she taught you her way of doing things. As you got older you added this or that to suite you. Learning to become a tanker yanker is the same way. If you are brand new in the trucking world, Schneider has the money and training capability to train you to drive their tanks. Should you decide to leave them after a while......MANY other companies -Trimac, Praxair, Superior Carriers to name a few- will snatch you up in a minute based on your training with Schneider (providing your record is clean). You'll make good money from the START driving tankers.

If you have more specific questions...ask me and I will help you the best way I can.Cole

Just do it!

Find out what the requirements are before hand, focus and do what it takes to get what you want. The very same thing you've done time and time again as a woman in the workforce.

Example- when I applied to Schneider Bulk, they required a physical agility test. Cool no problem...What EXACTLY does that entail? Got the info, did what I needed to do, and got it done! That's what we do as women..... get it done!

https://youtu.be/VBmMU_iwe6U

Http://www.lifeasatrucker.com/2nd-chances-for-felons-and-some-trucking-companies-that-may-hire-them.html

Or maybe I just hate that my company doesn't allow idling nor do the provide a cooling system inthe sleeper when the truck is off. Yeah that's it.

Sorry reefer drivers.

Daggonit! Why you got to be from Florida?

Focus on the issue and resolve it. Otherwise get some earplugs.....

And got to thinking. Assuming the air horn literally uses air from the air tanks, how long would it take to empty them via blowing the air horn? This is what happens when I'm bored...

Well?

So how's it working for ya so far?

Based on my experience(7 months)..south of I-4 may be tough. I don't know the particulars but here's what I know. Conway, Abeline (sp?), H. O Wolding, WEL, Schneider, Werner, JR Shugal (cameras facing driver), Knight, Covenant will hire you.

If you decide to pay for CDL school go to Mid Florida Tech in Orlando. They have job placement and will run you about $2400. AND they are great. I live in South Florida and used my sister's address in Atlanta to get a job with Schneider Bulk. I've since changed it back to FL ref GA taxes but, it worked for me.

There are a cabillon truck companies in Florida. Most want 2yrs experience for local/regional.

Good luck!

Hey, I just posted a somewhat similar question in the lady's area My Aching Back.

I agree with Trish!