Profile For Vinny

I do something very similar to this at work - whenever I finish working on a car, I do my "call out", whether I'm changing oil, tuning up, or a vehicle repair.

"Safety check on bay x" "Wrench on plug - plug is dry, plug is tight. Hand on filter - filter is dry, filter is tight" "Safety check complete, oil level/ repair is verified - sticks are down, caps are tight, no tools, no rags"

As i call this out to my coworkers, I'm pointing at & twisting each cap - oil cap, power steering cap, wiper fluid resevoir cap, brake resevoir cap, expansion/over flow tank cap, radiator cap, etc and also scanning the engine bay for ratchets, wrenches, extensions, sockets, etc.

My boss gave me some seriously crazy/funny looks when I first started, but eventually it started a trend, lol, because now everyone in the garage does it, haha.

But hey, unlike some other co-workers, (both where I'm at currently, and previous jobs) I've never left a loose cap or tool in the engine bay of a customers vehicle.

If it works, it works.

I actually started reading Bretts book yesterday morning, and was so hooked, I stayed up untill around midnight last night finishing it, lol

As far as the High Road goes, I've had the time to take the first two tests, I think I scored 96 on the first review test, and I think 86 or so on the second one.

The different distinctions on a CDL B/C is whats tripping me up at the moment.

I keep getting the weight restrictions either totally wrong as far as actual weights go, or get them mixed up.

CDL A i think is 26k and 10k+ lbs CDL B i think is 26k and up to 10k lbs CDL C i think is the one that trips me up because if i remember, it has a wierd weight range

CDL D is for regular vehicles & trucks. Etc

Im definitely going to re-read it. My ultimate goal is to hit 90% or better on each test, then attempt the CDL practice exam

First time poster, short time lurker here!

My friend Dawn highly reccomended this site about a week ago, to get my "feet wet" with regards to changing careers. I have definitely found a ton of useful information - so much, that I feel like I'm getting overloaded at times. But, thats never a bad thing. Just break it down, and digest it piece by piece.

As for me, I'm 35. NY (Queens) born & raised (Ha - yes, driving in NYC is a complete & utter nightmare, and this is coming from someone who didnt own a car in the 15 years I've lived there off/on)

I initially started my career in I.T (computer geek). Out of technical school, I got hired on by IBM in 2003. Unfortunately, in 2008, I was laid off due to outsourcing/offshoring.

That got the ball rolling on getting into auto mechanics. I currently work as a light duty mechanic - belts, brakes, alternators, preventative services, etc. Ask me to change the brakes or tune up your car? No problem. Ask me to rip apart the motor and hone the cylinder walls or deck the head, and I'm gonna look at you like you have 3 heads, lol.

It's nice. The money is alright, but I'm tired of struggling, or, to be more accurate, barely skating by.

I'm not going to lie - my 2 biggest motivations are greed & security.

I want to make a good salary. I eventually hope to own a home, have a wife, kids. You know...the american dream - house, dog, white picket fence, etc.

I want job security. I dont want my position outsourced because its cheaper. I dont want to be let go because I'm making too much money in my IT position. (Both of which has happened)

I'm not going to hit those goals in my current state, and as a good friend once told me - "Inactivity breeds failure"

I really dont know if OTR is the right fit for me, but at the same time, theres nothing really holding me back for giving it a year and then reevaluuating things - money made, time alone, etc.

Anyway, I feel like I clobbered youu all with a big ole wall of text, LOL.

I'm sure I'll have tons of questions to ask, and many a brain to pick.

Take care, and be safe everyone!