Profile For Charlie H.

Should have posted this to "CDL Training Diaries". Could Admin. move it for me please and I will update as the training goes on. Thanks

Well, I just finished my first week of CDL training at Weatherford College Truck Driving Academy in Mineral Wells, Texas. Today I passed all of my written exams and now have my training permit. So far, so good. We had a really great (79 years young) classroom trainer who did a fantastic job and kept things interesting with his many stories from his trucking experiences. This class requires a lot of studying and paying attention during classroom time. If you are truly not committed to getting this education then don't waste your time or money. I have already met a few guys who are as serious as I am and we have been allowed to group together for our driving training which begins on Monday. My biggest surprise so far of this class has been the visit by two recruiters (Werner and Schneider) who came to do presentations before any of us ever even passed a test. The demand for truck drivers is obviously very high.

I am just now in my first week of CDL school but as a native Texan and current Texas resident, I can tell you that the jobs are here, especially out in the Midland/Odessa area. The problem with the energy business is always the same though. Here today, gone tomorrow. Just ask any Texan and they will tell you the same.

Daniel, your diary is an inspiration to me. I hope I have as much maturity and patience as you do.

Mark...I know where you were, runnin' a team truck, and you wanting to learn....When I came back into trucking, we bought our first truck, and to pay for it, we HAD to team it. TSB was a seasoned 25+ year driver, but I hadn't been in a truck for years..And I had only driven intrastate at that !! So I HAD to suck it up...TSB HAD to get some sleep. I'm not ashamed to say, that for 6 months, I was in a emotional state of abject terror all the time. I didn't want to admit it, cuz TSB would tell me I didn't have to drive, and we'd lose the truck...so I just DID IT. And you know what ??? One day, I got behind the wheel to pull my shift, and my "DGS" attitude kicked in...I decided I didn't need to look in my rearview mirrors, unless I wanted to change lanes...I decided that I'd drive the speed I was comfortable at, I'd just drive longer to get my miles in...I decided to take control of the situation I had put myself in...and it gave me courage. I settled down and LEARNED by doing. TSB told me up front that he couldn't teach me to back up...it took me forever, but with a little suggestion from a little old truck driver, by george, I learned it myself, and I'm danged good at it. So even tho you and I got a rough start in trucking...you will be like me...your DGS (don't give a sh****t) attitude will kick in, and you will grow a brand new pair !!!! So settle down, find a company, and start over again...you can do it, if this little fluffy redhead can do it !!!!

I'm just getting ready to start school and know absolutely nothing but I have a funny feeling that this is terrific advice. I will file it away for later.

Best of luck to you!

Thanks for all the supportive replies folks. I am really looking forward to a new career in truck driving and will take all of your suggestions to heart.

Hey folks, I am a 58 y.o. empty nester who has decided that I want to learn how to drive a big rig. I am thinking of enrolling in a respected school in Texas and after graduating, hope to go out on the road at least for a while. Are any of you my age and do you have experiences to relate to me. I am thinking that I might be too old but still want to try just for grins. Your comments will be appreciated.