Comments By Bill R.

As a result I was treated to a view of the rare 1 PM "full moon". You can't un-see something like that. A little part of me died that day.

RAOFLMAO....thank you!!!!
my wife wants to know what I'm grinning at on the computer....
Bill

I'm starting a local CDL School on Monday and researching all I can about future employment.

Which school are you attending? Let us know how it goes.

Bill

Welcome to the forum Bill.

Those are the top criteria that will help you avoid analysis-paralysis. Also be careful of where you source your information. Seek the truth, not the endless stream of cyber-babies whining about their failures on un-checked trucking websites.

Good luck!

Thanks, G-Town,
Great list and I am looking at all those criteria.
I am very careful where I get my information...for every complainer out there, there are probably 10 or more who are totally satisfied with the exact same job....and are too busy making a living and enjoying it to post on the internet....

Bill

Brian,

Thanks for posting that video. Very good lesson on "what NOT to do"...
Fully agree with all the comments on this video. Not the thing for either driver to be doing.

Bill R

Thanks for the welcomes.

I've read Brett's book, been through the Training Guide once and I'm going through the practice tests now. Eventually do a reset and repeat until I get ready for school (probably in late fall, early winter). That will coincide with the final tuition payment for my daughter's college.

Doing a lot of research into companies, also. Beginning to narrow the list down to what I think would work for my aims....basically drive all over the USA, be on time or early, treat my customers just like I would like to be treated and make my company look good.

It's great having this forum for the information from experienced drivers and the new folks telling of their training times.

Bill R

Hi all,
I've been lurking around for a couple of months and figured I might as well join in.<\p>
I'm winding down a 40 year career in health care and planning to start driving next year, when my youngest graduates college (I'd go now, but the current job covers her tuition...chunk of change you can't pass up...)
Background: Grew up on a farm in north Mississippi. Learned how to work and take responsibility for what I had to do. Hard work at times, but good memories.
Started college...not really knowing what I wanted to do. Started in "Pre - "insert major here)". Wound up switching to registered nursing and haven't looked back. I've worked just about every job in a hospital for a nurse, mostly ICU of some kind or in the Emergency Rooms, I did both Adult and Pediatrics.
Moved to Nashville in 1987 and I've been at the same hospital since then, with one break when my schedule needs changed and my wife (she's a nurse, too) said "Well mine isn't, so you'll have to find a new job"...got back in 1999.
I've been married to the most wonderful woman I know for 35 years...(hey, she puts up with me). 4 children (2 boys and 2 girls) and 2 grand-daughters.
The last 8 years, I've been doing computer documentation support. And while I've enjoyed the work, it is time for a change now....administrative changes, how the work goes and it's just not what I want to continue doing.

Why did I decide to look into Trucking...
I do have some experience second hand from my teens/early twenty's. My high-school girl-friend's Dad drove a team rig OTR for Kimberly Clark out of Memphis, TN. Weekly trips, usually home every weekend. He really enjoyed his work.
Friend of mine's family raised beef cattle. They had a cab-over Mack and trailer. I rode on several trips with him, hauling cattle. Never got to drive but took it all in.
Drove a school bus during college for 2 years, 5 speed granny with air brakes. I had a 67 mile one way trip, longest one they ran.

So here I sit one day talking with the kids about what I would like to do when I slow down from working healthcare. Do I want to do retail (Home Depot or Publix)?...Just something to keep me busy and make a bit of money.
I really want to travel and see the country, but that could get expensive....One of the boys says "Heck, Dad, as much as you like driving on trips, why don't you drive a truck!??....Ding, Ding, Ding....!!!
"Road Trip" is one of my favorite terms...I frequently take 500 mile "day" rides on my motorcycle. I drive instead of flying by choice. So here I am, reading everything you guys have written and provided. I'm learning a lot and some of my ideas on how this might go have been confirmed and squashed...good things.
Thanks for reading,
Bill R
Nashville, TN

Glad the BP came down for you. What you experienced is real, has an actual medical diagnosis...

White Coat Syndrome

Both my doctor and the physician at Prime mentioned this, though not in as much detail, and without specifically naming it. So it's interesting to see an actual diagnosis. Thanks for taking the time to look that up G-Town.

At regular visits to my doctor I don't experience the problem. It's only been during the "official" DOT physical. I know it's silly but I guess I figure my job is on the line, and stress out needlessly over it.

I'll continue to keep an eye on it for sure.

I think this might be my first post...

I've been an Emergency Room/ICU nurse for almost all of my career. G-Town beat me to the call, but I can tell you "White Coat Hypertension" is a very real thing. Saw it all the time...leave the patient alone and let them calm down....good BP.

Now to keep on learning about this truck driving thing...time to go back and write an introduction.

BillR Nashville TN