Comments By Key City

I just wouldn’t want to get in trouble for not bringing a duffle bag. Like I can’t follow directions kinda thing. My sleeping bag, pillow and everything I need would fit in it. It’s an easy bag to live out of for weeks on end.

Would you be allowed to bring a hiking backpack instead of a duffle bag?

What I meant by that was things like understanding their Qualcomm system, understanding the hours of service better, driving in mountains, being taught how there paperwork works at shippers and recivers, being taught who to contact within the company for particular things. etc. Those are all tools that I would expect the company to provide me. Isn’t that why they have trainers? I wouldn’t expect them to just throw me a set of keys and tell me good luck. So yes, I expect the company to train me with the tools for success with their company.

I’m not even sure which orientation I’d like to attend yet. I’m going to get in touch with the 6 or 7 companies who I have obtained pre-hire letters from and have very detailed conversations about everything each one offers and go from there. Like I’ve said before at this point it’s not about which company will give me .1 or .2 cents a mile more. No matter who I drive for I’ll be making the most money I’ve ever made in my life. What I’m looking for is a company that has good equipment and will give me the tools I need to survive my first year learning this industry.

I found out that amount is only for short runs like under 100 miles or something.

Just a little update because I am excited:

Well, I am almost done with my private CDL school in Chicago. I should have my cdl by May 19th. I have 4 more road driving hours. It will be specifically on the state test route. I am going to request that the remaining hours will be driven in the same truck I will be using for the test. I have about 6 hours of my backing skills left. They all will be on the state backing skills course.

I did the state backing skills test yesterday for my first time and I only got 1 point deducted. I think we get 13 points if I remember correctly.

We do a offset to the right, parallel parking, and straight line backing.

The only thing I’m worried about is on the road sometimes I accidentally start in 5th instead of 3rd, killing the engine. Easily fixed though. I’ve been taking it in and out of gear 3 times at stop lights. Letting the spring in the gear box guide me to 3rd. I feel stupid when I start in 5th.

I really am confident I will pass these skills tests on my first attempt. The school charges us $435 if we if we fail and have to re-take the test. Ouch!

When I got my Pre-trip list at my CDL school I didn’t think I could possibly memorize all that it intails.

We go out to a truck everyday and split up into groups and go over it. We can focus on any thing we want too. For instance, if I was having trouble with the trailer suspension, I would have someone who already passed their pre-trip at the DMV help me with it. Every school is a little different however.

I now know it like the back of my hand. There has been millions of drivers who has learned this before us. You will get it!

You had better get that in writing. I find that very hard to believe.

Yeah, that’s why I was putting it out on here to see what people had to say about it. I only make $12 an hour and sadly that’s the highest pay I’ve ever had in my life and I’m 31 years old. Really any rate I will receive will ultimately be the highest paying job I’ve ever had.

I’m more concerned about learning the industry, being safe, and being on time. I realize once I conquer these goals higher pay will come with time.

Werner. At my school he said they just raised pay across the board.

Making a decision on which company to drive for is going to be very tough. I’m not really concerned about home time right now. I think I’m set on doing a full year OTR to prove to myself and others I have what it takes. Then I would like to switch to regional. It’s honestly going to be one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made in my life.