Profile For Sean

Thanks Old School! Not sure how I overlooked that.

Hi All!

Question: When do I have to take the tests to get endorsements like tanker and hazmat? Is it right after I take the permit test or after I actually get my CDL A license?

I'm starting at Prime on Monday (the 16th) and I'm a little confused because Prime makes it seem like I will have to test for the endorsements (at least the tanker endorsement) the week of orientation but I thought I had to have my license first.

Thanks for the input in advance!

Oh and sorry for falling off the face of the Earth for 2 months. I moved back to Delaware from NC so I could focus on gaining support from my family in order to pursue my trucking aspirations.

Awesome lil1ragamuffin! I'll be reading any updates you have time to post :)

I go to bed anywhere from 9:00-11:00 and get up anywhere from 2:00-4:00. Five hours of sleep at a time has always been plenty for me. I usually try to sneak in a nap during the afternoon at some point also.

Brett, I just read your article Rookie Drivers: Time Management Tips And Mileage Goals and realized that you have already talked about your sleep schedule. I need to read through the blogs/articles better. Are there any questions that you haven't had to answer multiple times in the forum? Copy and paste much?

Chesapeake bay bridge tunnel is awesome. I've driven over it a dozen times in my 4-wheeler going back and forth from NC to DE/PA. There are a couple good views on i76 west going through the mountains in central PA and into Pittsburgh. I can't wait to git on the road in a big 'ole rig! I'm ready to do a Ric Flair "WOO WOO WOO" just thinking about it! MAN! The waiting is killing me!

Awesome can't wait to see it one day!

I changed my avatar again but posted what it used to be below.

That was one funny movie!

Definitely one of my favorite funny movies of all time. I tried to find a truck driving related gif but everything I downloaded wouldn't upload to photo bucket. The file sizes were too big, according to the inter webs. So, I came across this guy giving the signal, laughed for an hour about it, then tried to see if it would work and BAM! Hilariousness for all. I want to start quoting stuff from this movie but it wouldn't be appropriate. NSFW either.

Happy Monday Everyone!

If your instructor looks like anything like my new avatar, I think he's telling you stop.

Coincidentally it's the most important signal to agree upon.

Congratulations Adam!

I'm glad you mentioned the amount of time you spent studying the High Road material, it is something I wonder about when I hear people say they got their permit.

Awesome Brian keep safe and keep the updates coming.

I like Mikey's advice. I can. I will.

Sorry it just reminds me of that part towards the end of the movie... something about a concrete data point and a Pakistani prison. That part slays me.

I'm interested to see what others might have to say about your question.

Good luck LIL1!

I think the movie "Zero Dark Thirty" sums it up... And what MG just said. Probably great money though, if you live to spend it.

Glad you're are hitting it off with your instructor. I haven't seen anymore posts from the others that started with your class. I'm sure they're too busy or exhausted, but I am still checking for your posts.

I have yet to hear of the scenerio you described about potentially being "leased" by your O/O instructor after the TNT phase to drive his truck. I look forward to seeing how that works out as you progress through that phase.

Good luck out there!

Bill, thanks for bumping/reminding me of TruckerMike's article. I've read it before but today has been one of those days where nothing is going my way and reading it again just now set me straight.

Here's a link to the full article if anyone is interested.

My First Year as a Truck Driver

I like the one on this list: http://blog.trippak.com/2014/11/26/top-six-gadgets-every-truck-driver-needs/. It has a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery so you can charge you phone or tablet/laptop. It costs 170$ so it's a wish list item for me, but it would be cool to be able to walk to the store or go wherever and not worry about my cell phone battery dying.

Now I'm not a mathematician but the list says Top Six Gadgets Every Truck Driver Needs, but I only count 5. Wish I knew what number 6 was supposed to be.

Thanks Brian those are some good suggestions. I'll bookmark this page so I can read over them again before I head off to orientation.

Brian M. recently brought up a great topic that I haven't seen discussed since I've joined the forum. I would like to see if I can get some ideas from everyone on how to go about (interviewing) turning the tables on a company sponsored instructor.

I've heard it mentioned that one should make sure the "instructor that chooses you" is a good fit for you.

Obviously I will be relieved that an instructor has chosen me off "the board" of potentials. But in my excitement I don't want to lose sight of the fact that I also need to figure out if I will mesh with this instructor.

I'll leave this question open ended.

Are there certain things to watch out for? Specific questions that need to be asked? Or just go with it and be glad someone picked me?

Brian, that is some great insight. Probably deserves it's own thread because you brought up interviewing your instructor. Keep it coming.