Comments By David

Thanks Starcar for that, I guess my real question is what happens to your cdl if you get pulled over knowing you have an equipment violation in an attempt to fix it? Is it just a warning? Is it a "fix it" ticket or being a commercial vehicle, are you in real trouble?

It seems extreme to just shut down for hours if not days if it wasn't as serious as a "short" and was something that could be fixed if you'd just drive a couple miles down the road to buy the part don't you think?

well, here we are, almost 3 1/2 hours later, and no word from breakdown.... ugggh.... not sure if they realize that we could have made the delivery pretty close to on time or not. well the DM took us off the load, and we are still in limbo since we can't move, since some of our truck lights are out..... oh well, I guess its part of the hurry up and wait game....

This begs an interesting question.. On a non-commercial vehicle, normally you would just drive to the nearest auto parts store and buy some light bulbs, yes? Is driving a "big-rig" to the auto parts store going to be a bad thing to your cdl if you get pulled over?

I’m just the opposite! I’m looking forward to the trucking life! My wife and I have been together for 25 years now and we have a successful business taking care of the elderly. It’s been pretty much her deal as she likes to remind me, so after all this time considering this and that I finally discovered a passion for a life of trucking for which I’m going to pursue and I can’t wait. I am so ready to go see America for months at a time and get paid for it!! Who knows? Maybe the heart will grow fonder if you know what I mean…

Keep in mind that driving truck is VERY STRESSFUL..."...

I'm sure this is going to be a "newb" of a question,, but how is trucking "VERY STRESSFUL"??

Right now I am on a load from NJ to Los Angeles. It is 2800 miles. I will be there tomorrow night and my total driving time will be about 48 hours, I left Monday 0900 and will arrive Friday 1700. So right there is 2800 miles in 5 days, so it is possible. My average MPH has been around 58, but again... I am in the slow orange truck so other drivers. can do it faster I assume.

How much time were you allotted to get it there? Just curious...

...You'll get a chance to do laundry "maybe" twice a month on average...

Please notice Brett used the word "maybe"... So I'm guessing air fresheners are on board these rigs?

Prime Inc. is for you... Here are some excerpts from them:

The tuition for Prime's CDL training program is very straight forward. This is truly a free CDL program provided you stay employed with them for one full year. There are no down payments and no payroll deductions. The cost of the program is about on par with other CDL schools, especially since lodging and transportation is provided.

During this first phase of training, students are given a cash advance of $200 per week. This cash advance can be used for any purpose - food expenses, paying bills at home, or anything else. The funds can be withdrawn from any ATM machine. The advance will be repaid (interest free) via payroll deduction once hired as a full time driver. If a student chooses not to use the cash advances, no repayment will be made.

Trainees earn a guaranteed weekly salary of $600 per week or 12cpm (combined miles between trainee and instructor), whichever is greater. Basically, if a truck runs less than 5,000 miles in a given week, the student will be paid the flat $600 guaranteed minimum. Anything over 5,000 miles will be paid at 12cpm. As an example, if a trainee/trainer drive 6,000 mile in a given week, the student would be paid $720.

Hi everyone!!

So I’m thinking since I’m going to be living the life on the road as a truck driver, I’m going to want the creature comforts of home along with me. One among many I want on the road with me is 200 + channels of television entertainment. What kind of satellite dish antennas do you all use? What is the best way to mount it? And who’s the better provider for the road, Direct Tv or Dish Net?

Thanks,

Hey Ron!!

You're not too old!!

Check out Prime Inc. After your training with them you can take your wife as a passenger with you and as long as your cat doesn't weigh more than 30lbs, kitty can go too!!

Hi Everyone!! … And thanks Brett for this great site!! When you’ve been training at a sponsored school, permit in hand and you’re ready to go out on the road with your 1 on 1 trainer, how does that even work? I’m a really easy going guy and everything, but I just can’t imagine being stuck weeks to months on end with some stranger (at first) 24 hours a day confined in a tiny little space the size of a full size bathroom!!

How do you keep from killing each other (eventually)?