Profile For Robert McD.

I have a pretty similar question about "reset time". Is that the same as the 10 hour break or something else? I've seen it mentioned a few times and don't remember seeing it in THRTP.

Old School, thanks for the detailed reply! This makes me feel really positively, actually! I didn't realize the Whisper Test was actually a whisper test. I won't have too much of a problem in this case.

Hi Brett!

I don't know if this is new or if I've just been oblivious to it all this time , but I've notice those little books next to keywords all around the forum. It's a nice touch, having a quick explanation for keywords that pop-up time and again. Thumbs up!

So I'm in the stages of getting my NY license transferred to an Illinois license and then taking the written exam within the next month. As I'm crossing my "t"s and dotting my "i"s, I can't help but worry about the physical. I'm in otherwise good health (my BMI is ~31-32, no back/neck/muscle problems, vision is good with glasses), except for my hearing. It's not really that bad, but I have slight trouble hearing things in my right ear. I get by just fine without a hearing aid (mostly because over the years I haven't had the insurance to get one). Does anybody have a similar problem? Many moons ago I was disqualified from joining the Army because of my hearing and I'm worried something similar might happen here.

Is there a way to access the specific questions for each section? Like, I know when you're done reading a section you can take that quiz...but the quiz also includes older questions (which is good!). I wanna make flash cards according to each section based on the quiz questions.

1989! Man a couple of years when I would get together with people I was always the youngest, slowly that is starting to change and I am not a fan... Need to start figuring out if I want a casket or an urn, not much time left now.

You'll still be the youngest in the trucking industry for many years to come! You just don't see young people in this industry anymore.

Man, you dudes are young! I'm usually the oldest in the groups I run with, but I guess I didn't realize how uncommon for us young folks to get into trucking. Well, I can look forward to feeling like a kid again

Jim, like everyone has already said...I get the sense that age is not an issue. One look at the diversity of this forum and website shows you that you're actually highly popular age bracket. Whatever you decide, good luck!

Chris, did you start flatbeds with Prime right off the bat? I'm probably going to be applying for the Prime training. Did you mention that's what you wanted to drive and they gave it to ya or was it luck of the draw?

Hey fellas, sorry about this confusion.

Robert, I think what you saw was a response from me in reference to someone wanting to know about part-time, or weekend jobs available from Over The Road companies. That is what I was speaking about - those situations are certainly unlikely.

As far as working over the weekends goes, my truck rolls seven days a week. It's not unusual for my dispatcher to get me a load on a Friday afternoon that needs to move about 1500 miles and be there Monday morning. He gets a little nervous if I'm sitting still.

Thanks for everyone's response! Yeah, OS I figured I might be reading out of context a bit. I figure weekends off for interstate hauls must be problematic. Although, it is helpful to know that weekends of is (somewhat) of a feature of flatbedding companies.

So I've been on TT a while, working my way through High Road Training Program slowly, and checking these boards pretty frequently. I ask this question with a bit of shock and I apologize if it's a bit long winded.

I know that many OTR companies, but especially the sponsor-schools like Prime and Swift, have new drivers on the road weeks before they see home again. I always know that it is not unusual for OTR drivers to be away from home for 2-3 weeks at a time. So I just assumed that some of that time would include working over weekends. I just saw a post from Old School saying that weekend work is highly unlikely, though?

Can anybody clarify this? If OTR has you out for weeks and you never see home and you're not actually working on weekends...what do you do? Are you still staying in your cab? Do you usually find a motel? What do you guys do as far as routine when you're not near home on the weekends?

Somebody submitted the same question a while ago: Excercise while trucking. I found it super useful. You might want to check it out. Alternatively, you can search keywords in the search bar up top. I do that when I have very specific questions. Also check out Daniel B's Biking thread if you haven't already. Super cool stuff there.

I want to get into flatbed but images like this scare me a little. Seems like making those kindof mistakes could get really expensive fast.

Transporting loads of cars would scare the ba-jesus out of me!

Thanks you all for posting your pictures and giving us plenty of ideas on how flatbedding actually works. I think the most aggravating part might be tarping in near zero weather, to say nothing of cargo securement.

As long as as this thread is still fresh, HetzelMr said Prime starts classes every Monday. Does that mean the program starts every Monday with a new "class" or that once you're in the program classes will begin on Monday? I'm asking because after my Fellowship ends in July I would like to start training ASAP and Prime seems like my go to sponsor-school.

Thanks!

Thanks Brett! I've actually been lurking around the website for a good part of 6 weeks now and have gotten to 20% of the High Road Training Program! (Taking my time so that I can absorb everything!) Thanks for the info about the permit. I've been reading that I need a permit but the IL DMV website is just as confusing as anything. Planning on going through the HRTP a few times and getting things in order so that by April I can take the written exam.

Hey ya'll,

I'm locked into a volunteer position (AmeriCorps-type thing) until July so right now I'm taking my time and trying to get as much info as possible. Right now I live in Chicago and that's where I plan on finding a company to work for (looking into driving schools right now), but I can't find anything on CDL permits on the DOT website. Will I need a permit for CDL training or am I merely expected to pass the written exam before i can get behind the wheel and start training?