Comments By Mad Hatter

Old School, I'm a fairly short guy (5`6"). What kinda height are those beds, and do you often see guys my height in your division? I'm sorry to hear about your luck, but you're definitely a man I can respect. It's inspirational to see you jump back up after a set back.

In all honesty, deep down you know what you have to do, and no one can decide that for you. Asking someone's opinion won't solve anything for you personally. I've always told myself

i love you because need you is different from i need you because i love you.

hope that makes sense

Good luck

-Hatter

How do companies feel about drivers heading north into Canada during the winter? I can totally understand their opposition, just curious about how the logistics community feels about drivers leaving to hit the ice roads just for a months.

If you don't mind me asking, what made to decide to go with Knight?

Slow down. Go for a jog, or take a long walk. When I'm stressed out I've found exercise really helps.

July 17 2014

I'm a long time listener, first time contributor here at TruckingTruth.com. I figured I would give a small insight from the beginning just as some of the inspiring men/women have before me. My journey began about two weeks ago when I quit a job that wasn't in my heart. The company I had temporarily been working for was great, management was understanding, and the pay was considerate of my responsibilities. Yet the drive to work was always depressing. I remember driving south on I69 and seeing flatbed rigs hauling parts to a wind turbine. It wasn't a romantic feeling, just a personal understanding that they probably loved their job a lot more then I did. For a few weeks I saw them pass about the same time every day. Then one day their solid route stopped.

It was a sobering feeling. Here I was working my feet to a blistering state, my hands subjected to steel splinters and I was content. I was proud of my calluses. I was proud of what I did, but I wasn't happy. Every day was the same. I never saw the sun and was too tired to appreciate a beer. I went to a computer and let me supervisor and plant manager know I was putting in my two week notice through a flash message. One of them came out about an hour later and thanked me for letting them know and led me to my locker to collect my things. He stated that it was in their best interest to just cut me loose so that nothing bad would happen to their property. It wasn't anything too serious, I was just around very expensive toys and with one quick move I could cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars.

I wasn't sure what I truly wanted to do but this was the second great job I had left in the last two years. My last job was at a die casting plant that made dashboards out of magnesium. I had literally gotten burnt so much I was sick of it. I was also waking up from extreme cramps from the excessive heat and sweating. I was more concerned about my overall safety so I called it quits. I quickly found odd jobs and then began working at my last position. I had qualified for unemployment from my first job and had only had to use it for about 3 weeks throughout the year. I figured that if I wanted to change things now was going to be my last opportunity since my year for benefits was nearly over. I went to MI Works (a Michigan unemployment agency) and enquired about their CDL program and was directed to Cheryl from the International Trucking School in Holt, MI.

My situation is different then many entries I've seen here or elsewhere. I essentially have a different route to attain my CDL (Commercial Driving License). See because I'm unemployed and received/receiving benefits from the State of Michigan I can receive a grant from the State of Michigan up to 5,000 for education to get a job. I should also mention this grant is only for on-demand careers, luckily Commercial Drivers are in extremely high demand. I'm currently gathering all the paperwork I need for my case worker like my birth certificate (I was born in Texas so this one is going to be tricky), my social security, and documents certifying that I received help from the state. Let me also state that I think it's a little unfair for others that have a job but cant utilize this program. I'm sure there's another way around it, but because I don't need the information I haven't looked into it. Furthermore I've worked hard since I was 16 years old, this has actually been the only time I've have not had a job. I deserve these perks, hell with all the taxes I've paid I could have put about two strippers through medical school. I'm sure the rest of you could relate.

ITS (International Trucking School) isn't directly associated by MI Works. They are a fully recognized program by the state of Michigan. Classes are held generally once a month. From what I got from Cheryl the course is 4 weeks long with an option of an additional week for HAZMAT training. My understanding is that I wont be paying for anything besides a background check and a copy of my driving record from the Secretary of State. Thus far I've only spent about $19 for both documents. A buddy of mine turned me onto this route when he attained his license about a year ago and now works for SWIFT. He told me that altogether he spent only $19 when everything was all said and done.

I haven't looked into too many companies so far beside PRIME INC. I'm more concerned about studying and gathering all the documentation that I need. But I did call them and spoke with a recruiter. My main concern was if I did this route would I have to redo training at PRIME INC. and was informed I wouldn't have to. I would be at their HQ for a week of training and orientation then would hit the road with a trainer right after. I gathered some more details but most of it you can find it already provided via Truck Driving Jobs

I'm treating this as diary entries so I apologize for any spelling errors and the structure of each entry. When I've completed certain stages I plan on reforming everything so it may a little easier to read

Hatter

Thank you, Brett, for all the detailed info. I couldn't ask for a better answer. This website is the best resource for trucking advice, hands-down. Thanks so much for doing what you do!

I have to agree. I've been researching the industry this past week to see if it's something I really want to do, and your community has really motivated me to continue. Thank you all for those detailed answers you're so willing to provide.

Okay, I didnt want to set my expectations too high. Thanks bud. I really appreciate all the info you provide for the site.

Is .31 cpm an average for drivers just starting out? Or were you just unlucky with where you went?

Hey Johanna, I actually just grabbed a CDL manual today from the Secretary of State in Michigan. It states in section 1.3 Other CDL Rules "You must give your employer information on all of your driving jobs you have held for the past 10 years. You must do this when you apply for a commercial driving job." The section also states this is a federal and state rule that applies in all states. -Hatter