Comments By Joe R.

Hello everyone! So, this is mostly a venting session (thanks for 'listening'). Any experiences or advice would be appreciated, however!

My private CDL school starts on February 2nd. They arranged my drug test and DOT exam at a clinic an hour away from me (not my regular clinical system).

All went quite well, except my BP 142/98 and my BMI was right on the mark, sending me to sleep study!! I'm not taking this lightly because my health is important to me and I can appreciate the efforts to keep 'at risk' drivers off the road and/or ensuring those 'at risk' drivers are aware of health issues and are being treated. I get that part.

Anyway, I know there are two things going on here. First, my BMI is not typical; up until about 2 years ago, I was a gym rat and hobbiest bodybuilder for most of my adult life (I am 48 y/o). Even in the Army, I was allowed an extra 15 pounds following a pinch test to ascertain my true BMI. In other words, I have more muscle mass than the "average" man of my wt. and ht. These decisions today are being made by the chart and standards provided by the FMCSA. Here is their statement: "If you have a BMI greater than or equal to 33, you may be conditionally certified for 1 month pending sleep study evaluation". It goes on.... The Nurse Practitioner doing my exam said that a pinch test was not part of the process today and I would have to see my primary physician. In the interim, I am disqualified temporarily and have been instructed to arrange the sleep study. By the way, I don't snore, nor do I have any trouble sleeping; never have!! I have gained a few unwanted pounds in recent months/years, but I am far from obese!

The blood pressure: This is troublesome, but not something I'm too concerned about. Here are the factors: It was 4pm, I had just driven an hour to this clinic and I had taken a pre-work out supplement 6 hours earlier that could have aided in the increased BP (although, I thought 6 hours was plenty of time). I also shoveled snow for an hour, a few hours before the exam. They didn't ask any of these questions - it all came to mind on the drive home - I'm not so sure it would have made any difference in her decisions, however. At any rate, I'm relatively certain that I don't have a serious issue with BP that I can't get under control. It's the time factor before school starts that is really getting my dander up! So many hoops!

So today, I have to call my doctor and beg for an immediate appointment. As for the BP, she will sign off after 3 consecutive acceptable BP readings, each a week apart. That gives me only one week of wiggle room, before school starts. I am also to call the Sleep Center and arrange for that screening, hoping to get it done this month as well. It doesn't seem likely - we'll see.

Okay, this has been a long read, I know. Again thanks for listening and if anyone has a similar story (particularly a successful one), I'll be looking for your words of encouragement .

Thanks!! Joe R.

I'm still researching companies with whom I'll start my driving career. As I narrow things down, it seem that I'll have several on the short list - might come to a flip of the coin.

I haven't heard much about Nussbaum, other than what they say on the Web site - sounds like a good organization. Does anyone have any experience with Nussbaum (Central Illinois based)?

Does anyone know if they consider / train drivers fresh from CDL school? It was unclear on the Web site. I do have a message in to a recruiter there, but probably won't hear from them until Monday, so I thought I would check with TT.

Thanks in advance!

Happy New Year, everyone!

I've posted a time or two around here and have been using the conversations and The High Road to prep for CDL school, starting February 2nd (a four week course). I'm not sure that I should divulge the name of the school, so I'll refrain for now. This school is located in Wisconsin and is a relatively new start-up business ( I think he and his wife started this in 2013). I'm very happy to be participating in his future success as a small business, but also have some reservations in terms of the lack of reputation amongst the larger trucking companies. He does claim to work pretty closely with Roehl, Schneider, JB Hunt, Swift and a few others, so I'm not overly concerned.

My previous job was eliminated and essentially I quit because the jobs they offered in lieu, significantly differed in wage, schedule, skill set, etc. Because of this, I qualified as though I were laid-off, for training through WIA - All of my school fees are paid - and I will be able to collect a few bucks in Unemployment Insurance right up through being hired soemwhere - good for me, although I was prepared to pay cash if that weren't the case. I'm saying all of this to justify going to this newer school, as they were recommended by the local Job Center, who set the whole thing up for me.

So, a couple of things:

First: Thanks to all the veteran drivers, as well as the trainees and new solos for taking the time from your days/nights to post your experiences - I don't have to express how much this helps to most of you because you have been in my shoes and I am sure you completely understand the value! :-)

Second: My main reason for this post, is for those who are still "considering" the trade. Perhaps there are funds available and help for you to get through the process with a little less stress than you might think. Going this route seems to have some benefit, as I won't be obligated to any organization to pay back my tuition. If fact, I have been told that I may still be eligible for a reimbursement from certain companies, even though I really had no 'out of pocket' and it is legal and right for me to accept this. Frankly, I'm losing a ton of $$ on Unemployment and truly should be working, but that would make me ineligible to get paid during school, so I'm sucking it up.

Look into it!! That's all I can really say, as these things do vary from State to State, albeit a Federal program (WIA, Workforce Investment Act). There are also State funded programs that also vary around the country. In Wisconsin, there were a couple of options for me. The WIA option was relatively simple, easy to qualify for, and I had an awesome agent that was dedicated to her craft! She really came through for me when others within the bureaucracies seemed uninterested and lazy. Well, enough of that; I didn't come here to whine about the gov't. ;-) Particularly since my life is about the change and the Fed program has made a huge difference in the level of stress I'll endure compared to some I've read about lately.

OK, I've droned on long enough - I hope this helps someone, somewhere. I don't know how much I'll be able to post as my experiences begin, but I'll try to chime in if I have anything significant to report.

If anyone has questions, please don't hesitate. I'll do my best to help out where I can.

Joe

Good stuffins everyone! I start CDL school in Feb and have been following (okay, creeping) several of you along my research journey. I'm 48 years old and have been a butcher, and business owner, a janitorial supervisor and most recently, a Human Resources Manager for a large commercial cleaning company. Trucking has been in my "blood" since I was about 5. I have step cousins who have made a living doing this since as far back as I can recall. It's finally my turn!!

This is all good reading. I have always sworn by the Neti Pot although I have to get myself pumped for "drowning myself" for the long lasting relief (assuming I stay on a regular regiment with it).

If you haven't tried a Neti Pot, I recommend it wholeheartedly for sinus problem maintenance as well as short term relief.

Thanks for your tips and tricks, even if you don't realize what it means to those of us who are about to embark on the OTR gig!

...Joe

Congrats, Deb! Thanks and keep in touch! I wish you only the best! Thanks to you, I'll do some research and apply with Wolding.

So far, so good????

Yes, Joe, I was officially hired yesterday by H.O.Wolding! I head out with a trainer on Monday morning.

Wolding is a mid-size company, about 350 trucks. The terminal is modest, clean and functional. They are very serious about safety, and it's reflected in their good CSA score. All the drivers I spoke with love driving for Wolding, everyone says that if you need something (home time for instance), they will bend over backwards to make it happen, and that they are really good about keeping the equipment serviced.

I'm stoked!

Okay, I promised to come back with more details.....

Not much to report, except that I will be going to a private school. I feel pretty good about it because the school is a relatively new start up business. It always feels good to be a part of someone's dream as they begin to realize it. Class begins on February 2nd and is a four week curriculum. I live only 30 miles from the school, so I'll be commuting most of the time with the occasional motel stay when I can get a good rate.

So, I'm not sure which direction I'll go after school. I will reserve that decision for after the pitches from the various companies that will visit us in class.

Maybe someone can shoot some direction my way, with these priorities in mind:

My #1 Priority: Professionalism - I cannot play games - I'm not all work and no play, but this is serious to me and I won't stand for moronic behaviors. #2: Earning potential (I'm driven by opportunity and not necessarily $$. per mile) #3: Best opportunity to lease/own with minimal credit and/or cash down payment in the next year or 18 mos. #4: Quality equipment - Quality support from the company

I know there are dozens of opinions for every question and every driver has useful input, so any thing from anyone is appreciated.

Also, how are things with you, Deb R.? Still going forward?

All great stuff everyone! Thanks for the responses! I will be back when I can share more specifics and will certainly keep an ear on how you all progress as well! WEL is sounding better all the time but I can't rule out Schneider yet either.

So, a little later in life (a young 48 y/o), trucking had been in the family as I grew up, but I'm moving from a professional office career in Human Resources to OTR. I'm in the research phase for companies hiring inexperienced drivers. I'll be going to private school and looking at Schnieder, WEL and Roehl.

Anyone local have any advice or comments? I'm near Madison and wondering if I'm in a good location for miles once I've gone solo.

Thanks for anything!

...Joe