Comments By Greg S.

Hello and hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! I have a question about progressive lenses and am wondering if they are working well for the truckers out there or not working so well? I myself only wear bi focals and have 20 20 vision on top. I am thinking of getting the progressive lens to be able to wear sunglasses and also have the benefit of bifocals. I don't like the idea of having to reach for or find my bi focals all the time, or wear a chain with glasses around my neck. How are they working for you? Do you like them? Do they stay dark when you need them? Just wondering on your thoughts about this?

Thank You so much!

Lilysmomma

One more thing. Transition lenses dont work inside the car. They are activated by uv rays so you would still need another pair of sunglasses or clip ons any ways. I had a terrible experience with transitions and will never go back to them again.

Hello and hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! I have a question about progressive lenses and am wondering if they are working well for the truckers out there or not working so well? I myself only wear bi focals and have 20 20 vision on top. I am thinking of getting the progressive lens to be able to wear sunglasses and also have the benefit of bifocals. I don't like the idea of having to reach for or find my bi focals all the time, or wear a chain with glasses around my neck. How are they working for you? Do you like them? Do they stay dark when you need them? Just wondering on your thoughts about this?

Thank You so much!

Lilysmomma

In regard to using a bifocal sunglasses I have a pair myself. I do like them when working outside but find myself using the clip ons when driving. My distant and near vision are not too far off and so while driving I have no problem with looking at the dash and outside. The clip ons are not hard to keep up with and they were cheap. In fact I got mine from a SAMs club but they are available at many retail outlets. We all know too well how expensive prescription glasses are and so the clip ons are a way to start out and then move to the other if you do not like them. Also when the skies go from sunny to cloudy it's easy to change between the rather than look for the other pair. Just my two cents.

Chance, Thanks for all of the updates. I will be there to start on the 5th and so all of this is great info. good luck on your new adventure and look forward to hearing more from you as you progress through the program.

Word on the street is TNT pay will be raised again to $800 per week effective January 1st.

That will be nice. I start orientation on the 5th.

Hello, I was wondering how hard the CDL written test is. The reason why I ask is because I have dyslexia and my spelling is bad because of that.

I strongly recommend the High Road Training Program on this site and get a copy of your state CDL Handbook form your DMV. That is all I used and i passed with only missing two questions. Take the practice exams and the quiz at the end of each page and you should have no problem. Make sure you fully understand the questions and the materials presented. There may be some minor differences between your state and this program but you will quickly recognize AFTER you complete the High Road program first. Take your time and repeat areas that you are struggling with until you can successfully pass them Keep the material fresh in you mind and review prior material as you go through the program. Brett setup the program so that there are review questions mixed in with the current material reviews. and once you take the exams go back and do the logbook and weights and balance sections. Very important and will better prepare you for your training. There are several testimonials on this site about taking this program and being ahead of most when they arrive for training. Get ahead as much as possible and it will make your life alot easier and less stressful. Good luck to you.

12/21

I'm back to my regular schedule today. I woke up at 0800 to pack all my stuff and left at 0900. My plan is to get there an hour before my appointment time and drop my trailer at the delivery. I drove over Donners Pass again but it wasn't bad this time, it sure did slow me down though!

I drove to Fernley, NV and fueled up. After a took a 30 minute break then took off again down the open road. After my break I drove 8 hours nonstop.

It was a lonely day, not much to look at in Nevada on I80. I spent my day singing, listening to NFL games, and thinking. Man, as a trucker you spend more time in your mind than anywhere else. I drove 10 hours and 55 minutes today in a 11.5 hour day doing 620 miles. That's 620 mile markers, and 10 hours and 55 minutes staring into nothingness until 2215.

Its a bit of a blessing and a curse. All that time allows you to think things thoroughly, but at the same time it can make you mentally unstable. Trucking really does change you. Before trucking I wasn't like this. I didn't really want to talk to anyone because if I didn't know them I didn't care to know them. Now, I find myself getting into a conversation with a total stranger at a grocery store. Or, struggling to get off the phone when I still have things to talk about. I don't know if I'm using the right words here, but the lack of socialization makes you crave small talk.

I am a full time driver, a part time volunteer because of the insane hours we work unpaid, I am a part time day dreamer and a part time singer. And that's another thing, I don't really talk about it much, but I am a self taught singer. I'm actually pretty good and sing whatever song would bring a smile to my wife's face. Yes, I sang All Of Me by Johnny Legend and know it by memory.

All the hours of loneliness really do start getting to you. The first few months are just so awesome and cool because every sight you see is a first and you're always in awe. But when you've ran the same road 50 times and run it several times a week it becomes dull. This is another reality that you don't hear about much.

You must learn to cope with this or it will eat you inside out. You could talk to your friends, but from my experiences they're always just too busy. Its hard to say "Ill call you tomorrow at 2" when you don't even know how your schedule tomorrow looks like. You pretty much fall off the radar with your friends and family. Here's a truth, I haven't been to my families thanksgiving party in two years. This year, they didn't even bother to call me. Do you know what happened? They forgot. When you're not there anymore, especially when its been like that for years, people forget about you and they move on. Its as if you went to jail and they'll see you when you get out.

So to the three people reading this, please consider this before and as you go along in trucking.

Daniel there are more than three people reading this my friend. And just so you know I served our country in submarines for 25 years. I have 11 deployments under my belt and I can and tell you I have missed my fair share of events. There are times when we are on missions and the crew has no way to communicate with their families. We too are forgotten until we return home. Our families continue on while we are at the pointy end of the spear. But let me tell you something, your wife does not forget and thinks about you everyday and wants you to come home safely. When I got lonely I just reminded myself of this very fact and kept me focused. Now there were more than one on a sub but I do not consider it to be any different. It takes guts to do what you are doing and what I will be doing starting Jan 5th. If there is one reader who understands what you are going through it is I. Stay strong and and look forward to someday meeting you even if its in a grocery store. Hope you make it home for xmas and safe travels my friend.

As far as I was told from prime. Was that December and January are booked. February would be the earliest. I didn't care to much as that gives me time to get everything in order.

How long ago were you told this? I had spoken with Grace about 2 weeks ago and she was going looking into the 2nd or 3rd weeks of January? I have not gotten a confirmation on which yet.

Grace is my recruiter as well. Same as you I did not always get through and left messages. I called once a week and then followed up with an email. The main reason for calling was to follow up on my application, and then when it was approved reporting my progress for items that i needed to get done that we had discussed previously. Once i got my permit we scheduled my orientation and now heading out on the 2nd of Jan to start on the 5th. Patience and understanding that they are probably working 75-100 applicants at a time can keep you busy. I found with Grace that first thing in the morning is better than in the afternoon. One time i just called the general number and talked to the first recruiter that became available and they looked up my status and that is all i needed to know. Make the attempt and be persistent in talking to your recruiter at least once a week. Also sometimes all it takes is getting the permit to push you ahead and then things go alot quicker. Some of the companies did not want to talk to me until i had my permit and others were not interested if i was thinking more than 30 days out to start. There are many variables which determine where you are on the priority list. Also it shows them how determined you are as well. Just stay on their good side. It will make life whole lot easier. Keep us posted on how it works out for you.

Daniel I completely understand where you are coming from. After 25 years in the military I can personally tell you its rough on both side. (for her and you) Stay strong my friend. I have been through alot in my life including loss and birth of a new member of our family while away. You feel helpless and have no control over the situation. All you can do is call and express your feelings and commitment until you can get home. Your wife needs you to stay strong and get home safely. Good luck today on the pass and look forward to hearing about your continued adventure. Some day very soon I hope to meet you and be able to shake your hand. You have provided the insight I needed to move forward in this new career.

My tests were definitely timed. You must answer a question within 4 minutes or it will time out, something about failing the test if you don't answer all questions asked. You can skip it but it will be at the end. If you miss it, it will show you the correct answer on screen. They do not give you a print out of the test, its all computerized now so if you fail a test section, you will just have to try and remember what you had trouble with and study. Miss 8 questions, you're done. The dmv clerk told me that they consider anyone using another's old test to study with "cheating" I called that a "study guide" in college... Really, what is the difference in any similar test taking practice?

I think your right about the time limit on questions. i fondly remember but the DMV assistant set it for me to get started. They were having all sorts of problems with their computers from the storm last friday. in fact of the dozen machines they did have only two were working. I feel fortunate that i could take it as a walk in. Feels good to be past this part and so when i get to the school I'll get a jump start on simulators and other training they have in store for us. but i am not going to rest on my laurels at all. going to continue to review the High Road program, my state cdl book and pre-trip as much as possible.

I took the CA DMV CDL (class A) permit tests last week and yes, they are so very close. My one tip is that if you didn't really understand Combos (coupling & uncoupling), go over that section again. You must pass Gen Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combos for your CDL. The others are Tankers, Triples & Doubles, and Hazmat. If you truly understand the steps, parts, actions required then you will be solid. This site has a quicker quizzing section than going through it page by page, maybe someone else can post a link. Just search cdl practice tests on here. Make sure you are passing them at or near 100 and then make your appointment. Yes, you need an appointment for testing now, at least at our local DMV. The 7th test is for your class C renewal, I had to take that one too. Good luck.

Jimbo/Motomal Well i took my CDL test yesterday at the CA DMV and like you had to take an 18 question class C test as well. I did not need an appointment and i think the wait was less than 30 minutes in Ventura. My problem was the medical form. For some reason my doctor made some mistakes and i ended up going back to him twice to get it all corrected. They(Doctor) and YOU need to read and review the form before you walk into the DMV to make sure it is 100%. The people at the DMV are not very understanding and or helpful. Anyways, the exam was very similar to the TT High Road Training Program. And they are correct in that you need to be near 100% before you make your appointment or walk in. One thing i do recommend is read your state CDL book to pick out the differences as well. I had several questions that were inline with CA requirements and slightly different from TT. Out of all the exams i took i missed two questions and honestly it was me not reading the question thoroughly rather than not knowing. They are not timed that i was aware of and so take your time and read the question and review the answer before you push the submit button. I went to several other sites as well to take practice exams but in the end it was the TT program that made the difference. They explain in (Brett fashion) why and break it down in pieces so you can absorb and better learn the information. And there is alot to know but if you take your time you can do it. We have all been through this and can help you. i will post the other sites i used if you are interested. But i strongly suggest using this site as your foundation of learning. Sorry sometimes i get on my soapbox and don't know when to stop. Congrats to you Motomal and good luck to Jimbo.