Comments By John C.

For about $15, you can buy a urine test kit at a CVS or other drug store. That will give you a general idea of where your urine is on several of the tests for the DOT medical exam. It wont be as accurate, but it may help you know where you are at.

I've been reading info on here about pre-hire letters and a couple of questions came up.

Work history: I've been a freelancing (sole proprietor) for the last 9 years with no verifiable employment beyond my own word. I'll have 1 short term job to list starting in March. Will all that freelance time look bad?

Timing: I'm planing on starting school in July. When should I start applying?

Quantity: Should I limit my applications to just the companies that I think I want to work for?

I talked to one recruiter before I found this site. He said to call him when I have my CDL. should I call back and ask for one (apply there now) or wait?

Thanks!

Very interesting... Thanks Brett!

Has anyone been the California Career School commercial truck driving program, or know anyone who has? http://www.californiacareerschool.edu/

They have a "Commercial Truck Driver" program, and a "Professional Truck Driver" program.

The commercial program is 240 hours total, and seems to be similar to other private schools. The professional program is 301 hours, plus 299 hours "paid externship" training with trucking company that appears to be TNT.

The cost difference is only $500 and it seems to me it would be worth it to get actual one-on-one TNT time. Any thoughts? Would a perspective employer see it as a plus, or not?

Thanks!

I don't see the remains of a bulkhead in the photo. Would a trailer bulkhead have reduced the damage?

California Gold country is full of them. "Pleasant Valley" is less than 10 miles west of "Happy Valley" which is 40 or so miles north of " Bummerville".

Thanks Brett! I appreciate that. At 54, I'm thinking I should have all this wired by now, but i guess learning as much as I can and thinking it through is the best I can do.

BTW, sorry, I called you Rick in my last post. :)

Thanks Rainy D! So you do way more than is required,but it keeps the truck in top shape. Good to know! I'm catchin' on.

Thanks for the explanation Rick! I understand now.

Great idea Victor, I'll look into getting a copy of the sim.

Thank you all for the honest and frank replies. I have to admit that I'm thrown a bit by what happened, that's why I posted it.

A little background. I've been a freelance product designer for years so I could care for my mother when she was aging. I refinanced my house to set us up for the lower income. That turned to hospice care in Dec 2015. I had to shut down my business could and not take any jobs for 5 months while me and my siblings helped her though her final time. I was somewhat financially prepared for the down time, but not the drought that followed. I honestly made less than 1/4 the money that I needed for last year. This obviously led to major problems. Now I'm in trouble with the mortgage and may loose my home of 25 years. Helping mom though the end was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and this is the most stressful time I've ever been through.

I just got a contract that will last from March through June. It may be too late for the mortgage company and and the relief program HAMP (home affordable mortgage program), but I have to try. I could live in a van but don't want to lose the equity I have in the home, and can't sell without some major upgrades. Besides, I really like this place. Bottom line. I need steady paychecks to prove to the mortgage company I can make payments. My age, 10 years of freelance, and the fact that literally hundreds apply for every position are making it very hard to find work. All this mess is what led me to researching getting a CDL.

BTW, I own a really cool, large geodesic home that can be seen from the 78 freeway, so some of you guys drive by me from time to time.

I was looking into company sponsored schools when this new contract came up. It's real good money, but only for 4 months. That's long enough to qualify for an unemployment sponsored CDL school. So that is my current plan.

I've always respected truckers for the incredible responsibility you take on. (Even more so now that I've read your first hand stories) I've also always wanted to learn how to drive a semi. I know it will be hard, but I believe I can learn all the regs, and the mechanics of driving. I really believe I can do this, but the pressure of literally not knowing how I'm going to keep the power on this month really got to me yesterday. That scared me for the exact reasons you guys mentioned. I'm not a hot head by any means, but not the most zen person either. I don't ever want to hurt anyone. So now I'm second guessing myself because I know how big the responsibility of handling over 70,000 pounds of moving steel is.

Sorry if this is all TMI.

How do I know I have what it takes to do this? Everybody gets mad sometimes. Will the reality of the responsibility keep me calm while driving, as Rick said? Is that what does it for all of you? Can I keep a calm cab like Rainy D? Am I overthinking it, and making too big of a deal of getting mad? I honestly don't know.