Comments By D B.

Genny Cream Ale (do they even make those anymore?)

I'm not sure but that's the first type of beer I ever tasted! My dad kept a little out in the garage and I remember taking one and trying it when no one else was home. It was awful of course.

I believe Matt still produces Cream Ale (I've seen it in stores) the brewery is about 3.5 miles from my home.

Haha, that took me a second. I salute you.

I figure by the time I'm done with CDL school I'll probably be ready to pass their tests. There's a whole bunch of openings with a lot of companies around here in Reno, NV. I'm feeling pretty optimistic about my chances.

Hard work and money are the drugs for me from now on! Haha

There you go. :)

You must pass a drug test to obtain a medical card, to obtain a permit, to obtain a CDL.

Maybe it's just NYS but I didn't have to take a drug test for my medical card. They did a dip stick for urine analysis (sugar and such). I had scheduled a drug test with my physical and they said it wasn't required. Saved me $40.

Just got my confirmation email from Celadon. I start class on Monday. I thought it was interesting that the last bit of the email is as follows:

f you are a resident of Indiana please reference the latest version of the Indiana driver's manual, published in July 2012, is available for you to download.

There are also websites you can study for your CDL Training test for example Truckingtruth.com

Also, I'd like to thank you for the High Road Training Program as it was the only source I used to pass my CDL permit test after not being able to follow my state's CDL manual.

1. I haven't worked in a while. A really long while now. How badly will that be held against me? I'm not lazy and I'm a hard worker and the more I keep reading about the demanding challenges of the life of a trucker the more I want to meet those challenges. I had a minor medical problem that unfortunately took forever to get diagnosed. It's nothing major and is under control now. Turns out it was just low Testosterone. I get a shot now and I'm good to go and feel normal once again. I was miserable, sick, no energy, etc for years. Wish they'd found it earlier. So I haven't worked in a decade or so and I'm worried they might see this lack of working as me being lazy or won't hire me because I don't have a good work history anymore. Up until that point I had worked since I was 15, sometimes working multiple jobs at once.

I got accepted by Celadon with 5+ years of unemployment and very little in the way of references so you might try them. I don't have any convictions though (besides an out of date inspection I received the day after sending my application lol). The recruiter requested I get my permit before coming to the school which I assume is because of the unemployment. But this shouldn't be too hard with all the resources available from this site and a copy of your state's CDL manual.

I want to thank you for your responses. I will try anything I can to break into the industry and these responses really help with me moving forward.

I've wanted to drive a big rig since I was 6 years old. My father was a mechanic and worked on them when he was able to do so. I would meet all kinds of drivers and they would let me look/play around in their trucks. This always appealed to me. I also have a few uncles and aunts that have been driving for 40+ years and they always tell me they love it. I have no wife, no kids and I can stand to be away from the few family members I do have.

I have been unemployed for almost 5 years. I collect no assistance as my mother is gracious enough to let me live under her roof. I have a lot of student debt that is very old and gaining interest. I do "work" occasionally at my local church which does pay me. However this is very occasional work with no tax forms and I'm only needed one or two days a month. The chorbishop in charge of the parish has offered me a letter of recommendation which I will try to use as proof of employment.

I have what some might call excuses for not being employed, but they are real unavoidable things that I had to do for my family. My father was bipolar and schizophrenic and it was a full time job providing him assistance cleaning his home, keeping him sober and sorting the 20+ pills he had to take everyday. Two years ago he passed away and I've been finding it impossible to find any substantial work in my area (Utica, NY). This is not meant to be a sob story as I feel no need to be justified in the actions I took.

My main question is: "can the letter can even serve as some proof of employment, and if not what can I do to get into this industry?". The other question is: "will me taking care of my father allow a fair assessment of what I've been doing for three of the past five years?".

I really appreciate all the articles and posts on this site as it gives people a very clear picture of what to expect.