Comments By Bob H.

Backing...!!!! All I have to say about that!

Not so sure. They are making progress there too. Wanna see a feature that would be cool to have in a truck? Visit the Ford website and watch the video on the F-150 with Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Yes, it requires driver input.....for now. Even though technology is advancing, I agree with those who feel that trucking is heading towards a path similar to the airline industry, where pilots (drivers) are still not obsolete despite decades of automated flight controls.

As long as you can pass with the ear you can hear out of, you will be fine. Notice the requirements state " First perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear", key words being better ear. Refer to the FMCSA examiner's handbook for a complete and more thorough explaination of the hearing requirements part of the physical. But Brett is correct in that it will always be a hassle.

Hello and welcome to the forum! Up until recently, I had worked me entire life in retail and satisfied my childhood dream of driving big trucks by joining a volunteer fire company, which is where and why I obtained my CDL(ran 250+ calls a year for 25 yrs. and lived a block from fire house so I drove a LOT). I was an assistant mgr. for a big box retail store and started to burn out, so I started working part time for a local company that has school buses and coach buses as a "plan B". I currently drive coach since leaving retail and can hopefully provide some insite into what you are considering. First, I see nothing wrong with gradually transitioning yourself to larger vehicles if that is more comfortable for you. Now, a little more info about your circumstances would be helpful. I realize you may or may not wish to answer these questions publically, but you need to answer to yourself in order to decide. For example, are you looking for a full time career change or something to keep busy? Your "kids are grown and gone" statement gives the impression of an empty nester looking for something to do. Next, you are considering starting in school bus. This is a part time job (1 or 2 hrs in AM and 1 or 2 at night) that with the end of the school year approaching in all likelyhood you wouldn't start driving until Fall. Does that fit your needs and is it something you can afford to do or do you need a larger, more steady income? Finally, how for along in the process are you with the school bus company? What do they have invested in you at this point? I respect your sense of commitment. However, life is too short to punish yourself for choosing a direction that doesn"t fit. You also don't want to burn bridges. Does the company have coaches too? Open the lines of communication with them as to what your needs and goals are to see what can be worked out. As far as Coach vs. Class A, I can provide some insite there too, but this post is already way too long!

Just outside NYC tonight, gonna go down the corkscrew and through the Lincoln in the am. AC/DC comes to mind.......Highway to....Hello!

why are bonuses broken up over time?

So that people don't just take the $$$ and run!

Glad some of you may be interested. When I worked retail, I did a 4 on/4off rotation and was sometimes bored with 4 days in a row off. While driving by a local bus company, I noticed a large banner advertising for drivers. I stopped in and asked if they ever needed anybody part-time, as I had another job. They said we sure do, and the next thing I know, I was filling out paperwork. Turned out that the full-time folks seemed to prefer multiple day runs and didn't want bothered with the shorter ones. Started out with short trips, and also did a lot of "rescue" calls when somebody ran out of time and needed relief. I would suggest stopping in with companies nearby and asking if they ever hire part-time

Don't know if this would appeal to you or not, but I started driving motor coach as a casual driver while working in retail management. After 15 years big box management I had more than my fill and have been driving charter since. Currently sitting out a thunderstorm at a college football game and due home after midnight. Spent the summer doing AAA baseball and had a blast. I can see this being easier to get into on a part time basis than a TT gig. EVERYBODY is screaming for drivers of all kinds and this worked well for me. Decent $$$ and the tips vary from 0 to OMG depending on the group.

Hey Max, PM me when you get settled in. I'm just 15 minutes up the road from Williamsport. Be glad to get you pointed in the right direction for anything you might need.

I agree with Brett 100%. I suspect that this driver may have had a run in with the law recently and his actions were his way of sticking it back to "the man". Although I have nothing to hide, I avoid going around calling undue attention to myself. The LEO could have called for DOT and had the truck gone over REALLY well with odds in favor of them finding something, however minute, to write him up for. The only thing this guy accomplished was waste half an hour or so of his day

Another thing you need to consider is this. In order to become a driver and trainer, he had to have demonstrated to someone that he knew the correct way of doing things. That being the case, if anything bad happens to him, he fired himself !