Comments By Lynette O.

I love that you are going for flatbed! I really admire women that can do it. Please keep us informed of your progress. Both the ups and downs.

I was a bus driver for a city transit system. I loved my job, it was a great fit for someone who enjoyed driving. Unfortunately, the company was a nightmare to work for. The female manager ran it like it was a high school. I spent 6 years there, watching her systematically going after the women who were better looking or more popular than her. Only 1 male driver was disciplined and eventually fired, while at least 30 women were going through disciplinary stuff on a regular basis. About my fifth year there, she pulled me into a disciplinary hearing along with my union rep, and informed me that I would be required to get alcohol management therapy to keep my job. I was stunned. Why? Because I hadn't drank since I was 22 years old and I was then 48. She said that two of my co-workers smelled alcohol on my breath. My union rep didn't even put up a fight for me. I was furious that I was suspended until my therapy was completed. During the suspension I approached the Teamsters Union to take over the bus drivers union. Through this long process I returned to work and continued driving. About the same time the Teamsters took over I was fired. I hit my brakes hard to stop at a red light and a little girl bumped her head on the bus wall and cried.

The great thing is that my co-workers are getting great representation now. The women are no longer in fear of losing their jobs. The manager is being pushed out of the company due to all her poor choices. It has been four years since I was fired. Now that my kids are grown I will be going back to what I love, driving.

So keep working towards your goal. I hope you know that what you chose won't be easy, but so very worth it in the end. And really quick in the grand scheme of things to set you up for life.

You might try applying to a different company after your misdemeanor is a year old. Make sure you tell any recruiter about it. Not all companies have the same requirements.

Good luck!!!

What a GREAT day!!! Congrats on your achievement. Stay safe out there.

Wow! SLC school sounds busy/crazy. I have been reading your diary since I too am going with CR England. I am having a totally different experience. I noticed you only live a couple of hours from me. Luckily for me, they sent me to a small school in Olympia, WA. A great place called VATA Commercial Driving School. I did not have to get my permit (upgrade for me) nor DOT physical before leaving home. They will ship me to the SLC for orientation when I get the actual Class A. Only completed my first week, then had to go home while I wait for my Federal Waiver to get here so I can go back to school and finish my last 2 weeks.

Keep sending updates please. I am looking forward to your notes on their orientation.

Dang!!! Where is the edit button to correct misspelled words?

Allie Knight. I love how positive she is about her job. After watching her while she was driving flatbed, I decided that I would NOT be doing that myself. However, I am amazed and impressed with any woman that chooses flatbed. It is refreshing to not hear someone trash talking others.

I don't know if you have a city transit system in your area, but hiring on with one, he would be trained by them for Class B. My area pd me about $23/hr for this. Took care of the driving bug till my home obligations were satisfied, now working towards my trucking career.

Welcome to the TT.

It sounds like you prefer local but that is a tough job to get into without any experience. Not to mention that it is mainly labor intensive with doing your own loading/unloading. There are some companies that could maybe get you regional work after about 6 months of OTR. Hopefully, you will find something that will meet your needs. I had to wait till my kids were grown before finally starting to achieve my goal to be a trucker. I started out as a bus driver for city transit to kind of take care of the driving bug till kids were gone.

Good luck with making your decision.

The 1 who failed all 3 tests not once, but 3 times, did not speak much English. On his 3rd attempt, DOL provided him an interpreter and he still failed.

It took me a few days to get through it. But it was well worth it.

I too noticed a few differences in my Washington State CDL manual and High Road Testing. But don't worry, you will still easily pass your tests with high scores. I did. I also told my classmates about High Road. There are 5 in my class. Only 1 went through it, besides myself. Of the 5, 2 of us passed all of it, 1 failed all of the 3 tests and 2 failed 1 section. It feels silly to even mention who the 2 that passed all the tests were.