Comments By Joe S.

Finished day 3 of classroom work at school. Lots of information and tests. The instructor will go through a set of slides them it's test time. No open book tests. It's study the CDL manual. Repetition, repetition, repetition. I have already learned a lot from studying from this site. Take the four written tests on Friday to obtain my permit then it will be time to practice in the trucks.

The different reps from the big trucking companies are dropping by with doughnuts and breakfast tacos to tell us about their companies. The instructor drove for Werner so she is partial to them.

That's all for now.

Thanks for the encouragement Big Scott. I have been studying for my CDL license using the High Road Training Program and soaking up as much information as I can.

Any ideas or other information that will assist me I would be very grateful.

Thanks everyone!

I took the plunge today. I started truck driver training school today. I was informed last week by the place that I was employed with that they were not going to renew my contract with them on August 1st. Gave me an 8 day notice after 9 years with them. I cleaned out my office and told them thank you. I called The International Truck Driving School at Austin Community College today and inquired about their truck driving school and the director told me that a new class started today and we would be more than be happy to start me now. Was I impressed!

I rushed to their medical doctor, passed the DOT physical, paid my fees and got to class by noon. It's a five week course that is certified and there are 10 students in the class.

I have driven fire trucks for over 25 years as a professional fire fighter but I know this will be different.

I will try to keep everyone posted on my success.

Later

Started working when I was 13 years old on a dairy in Arkansas. Did everything from plowing fields, processing and bottling milk to delivering the milk to the stores. Moved to Texas with the family and worked in a restaurant while in high school. Upon graduation I went to work for Mars Corp. making Starburst and then assisted in starting the Twix bar line. When I turned twenty-one I joined the Waco Fire Department. I stayed there for 27 years and was promoted to driver. There was nothing like the rush of going into a burning building! Driving that big red machine! The reason I retired because I took a job to assist my brother fire fighters in the State of Texas with worker's comp issues, labor contracts and wrong full terminations. After successfully doing this job for nine years my employer told me that I was no longer needed and let me go.

I am drawing my pension and receiving health insurance from my job as a fire fighter. I am going to attend CDL school and get out on the open road. This is something that I have always wanted to do and now I am going to do it.

I'm with you brother. I was a professional fire fighter for over 27 years. I fought the red devil day in and day out saving lives will risking mine and I loved every minute of it. I gave it up for a desk job to help my brother fire fighters and after 9 years the place I worked for just kicked me to the side. I'm now going to go into trucking because it is something I want to do. Maybe I'll see ya out there.

Thank you for the information. I will check out the link.

I plan on becoming an OTR driver and as I understand it most companies pay their drivers cpm. I also understand that DOT regulations only allow a driver to drive 10 hours in 24 hours (please correct me if I'm wrong). From what I have read when a driver bumps the dock and if they are waiting for their trailer to be loaded or unloaded, is the time that the driver is not actually driving counted as hours driving accorded to DOT regulations. If this is so, how can this be counted against the driver when the driver is not receiving any pay. The driver only gets paid when the truck is moving. This is like being on the clock and not getting paid. I don't understand. Would someone explain this to me?

Congratulations! I Knew you could do it! You just have to believe in yourself Pepper.

Pepper

Before you do your road test, close your eyes and visualize the test in your head and guide your hands and feet through the course while sitting in a chair. Act like your are on the course. Slow your breathing down and just do the test. Don't think to much about it. Just guide yourself through it. Stay calm and you will succeed!

Pepper

Let us know how your training goes and let me know if you need anything.

Hang in there!