Profile For Ramper Romper

It has nothing to do with your age but everything to do with the slowdown in the economy. When large companies are letting drivers go for minor infractions, and not running schools as often for new drivers, that is the reason.

What you need to do is apply everywhere, even with the mega companies and see who will bite. Someone will take you on but you have to be very proactive when they talk with you.

Laura

How much money do you have saved up for repairs, tires, permits, taxes (Social Security and Workers Comp) and everything else that goes into being an LO?

You're looking at a "dream" truck and salivating over it without thinking everything through. I can tell you, as a company driver, I make more money than most lease operators that I have talked to. When I ask them what they make per week or even per month, I get told their gross pay, not their net pay which is what they actually make.

In this economy, it is far better to be a company driver. If you break down and your truck is in the shop for a week, as a company driver you get layover pay and your motel paid for, if you drive for a good company. As an LO or OO, that expense is on you. About 6 months ago I got stuck in Cheyenne for 8 days and even the cheapest motel was 80 bucks a night with the truckers discount. That adds up fast.

I'm sure some of the guys will be along soon to give you more insight about being an LO.

Laura

Hello Everyone, 44yo female here. Residing in Northern Nevada. After years of contemplating, research, reading this forum and being unhappy and career-less I finally went to a local agency and I've applied for CDL school funding. I decided to go to CDL school on my own instead of going to a mega carrier to get it. I am more inclined to do a student apprenticeship program then have my employer pay for my CDL even though it sounds easier; getting paid while doing the deed sounds great but I didn't want to limit myself. I am wanting freedom with my CDL. My plan is to get my CDL this year...2023 and be fully endorsed including HAZMA T with my TWIC and passport in tow before getting a job. Its just a goal of mine and I am set on that decision. ( FYI - I already have my TWIC from a different career path)

My questions and concerns are this:

1. Winter- PRO: I believe this will be a good thing because I'll be apprenticing with someone CON: Its winter and Ill be a very new driver. Risk is self explanatory

2. Job Options- I am looking at KNIGHT and SWIFT because they have terminals in my home town. Are these good for new students with CDL's that have 0 driving experience? COVENENT: the team driving interests me because of having someone else with me while I get my feet wet, however they pull doubles. Would that be something a new driver should stay away from?

3. ANY advice is welcome, please feel free to leave your opinions on the above questions and concerns.

Thanks and Happy Trucking everyone Melissa

Howdy!

Just want to let you know that some of the other females will probably come into this forum over the next couple days. I generally just read the General forum and come in here once or twice a week.

Right now I've got to head out and try to make it to Boomtown or maybe even Fernley if I don't run into heavy traffic around Sacramento.

Since you've been on Trucking Truth for 11 years, you know that what you are proposing is not what we suggest. Actually, I am confused as to why you don't want to have Swift or Knight pay for your schooling and give you a job when you graduate from their school? It's been a long day, so I'll think on what you posted as I go over the mountain.

Laura

All companies treat women right as long as they are willing to work hard and be safe.

While you may want to do this, you need to put more time behind the "leaving the scene" incident and getting several tickets while your license was suspended in the last 5 years.

Doesn't matter if it was "just a blowout", the way it's written up, no company will even look at you in this economy. Driving without a license while yours was suspended shows a lack of maturity, especially since you were in your late 40s to early 50s.

Right now, trucking companies get to call the shots and where there are so many people wanting to become drivers because of losing their job or their jobs aren't paying very well, your recent incidents are a strike against you. Companies have so many better candidates without any baggage, that they don't need to look at your record.

Also, I'm not quite sure I understand you losing your license for 12 years. You are saying you just now got it back?

For now, don't attempt to go to a school that you have to pay for. They only teach you enough to get your CDL. They may have some connection with companies but right now your record is definitely against you. If you do get a CDL, but don't use it, it is considered stale and you will have to do this all over again.

You need roughly 3 years to go by when they will drop off. You won't be too old to get your CDL in a few years. I got mine at 63 and I'm still out here pounding the pavement doing 12,000+ miles a month in the last 9 years. We have many guys in this forum that get their CDL in their late 50s and 60s. Just keep your nose clean over the next few years and hopefully the economy will improve by then and you can get a driving job.

Laura

Cool pic of Oakland, Ms. Romper! It's a shame it is so difficult to get a clear picture of a city's skyline at night due to the lights, unless you stay perfectly still. I've taken many pictures of cities lit up at night. Very few come out the way I wanted them to.

RD,

I was sitting in Oakland, looking across the water and that photo is San Francisco. I decided not to park last night down in my favorite spot, so I didn't get a better picture. I looked through all my night time SF photos on this new phone and they are all blurry when they are enlarged 😝

Low hanging clouds on 5 July 2023.

Laura

Welcome! We are glad that you availed yourself of the training materials and got your permit.

Below are some links that will help you with your next steps:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Paid CDL Training Programs

I understand not wanting to go into cities, especially the bigger ones. There may be some jobs that you will find that will not have you going into or through the larger cities. The picture below you may recognize. That is what I see every week when I go into the Port of Oakland to drop my container. Real pretty place from my view across the water, but my company knows not to send me over the bridge into that mess. Fortunately we don't go there for any reason anymore.

Laura

Saw this old truck on a low boy parked on the side of the road across from a Mennonite Farmers market where I went to get some produce. Came out a bit later and it was unloaded and gone!

Laura

Fun fact: I think San Bernardino County is 2½ times bigger than the entire state I live in😲

RD, where do you live? Fun fact, San Bernardino county is the largest county in the United States. I learned that when I was in grade school in San Bernardino 😉😁

Laura

FMCSA Issues Reminder To CDL Drivers Regarding Use Of CBD Products

By Kathryn J. Russo on May 27, 2021

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a “Clearinghouse Update” on May 27, 2021 reminding commercial motor vehicle drivers who are regulated by the FMCSA that they should exercise caution when considering whether to use hemp and cannabidiol (CBD) products. Specifically, the update stated that it is important for all employees who perform safety-sensitive functions, including CDL drivers, to know:

1. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires testing for marijuana and not CBD.

2. The labeling of many CBD products may be misleading because the products could contain higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than what’s stated on the product label.

3. The U.S. DOT’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation, 49 CFR Part 40, does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.

4. CBD use is not a legitimate medical explanation for a laboratory-confirmed marijuana positive result. Therefore, Medical Review Officers will verify a drug test confirmed at the appropriate cutoffs as positive, even if an employee claims they only used a CBD product. Since the use of CBD products could lead to a positive drug test result, U.S. DOT-regulated CDL drivers should exercise caution when considering whether to use CBD products.

CBD Law

My favorite is Morgan Freeman as Red in Shawshank. Time to get busy living, or get busy dying.

Howdy Jaybird,

Was there a sequel to Shawshank? I watched part of that show just once and really wasn't interested in it, so don't know if there was a second one.

Laura

"movie franchise that had at least one sequel?

We're looking for a character that appears in more than one movie. (Rocky, for example)"