Profile For Hobo

Go get your CDL and work for someone else for a couple of years. Then, if you like the job, talk to your dad again.

I disagree. Trucking is nothing like service.

I volunteer my time here Pup, I don’t need your baggage or your attitude.

I was thinking the same thing. A lot of your advice seems to be not trucking related. I'll take your advice on trucking but as far as the military...lick my sack.

G-Town, thank you for admitting that trucking isn't like the military. I'll take that and ignore the rest..you know, the part of your post where you tried to defend Rainy after first admitting you didn't know what you were talking about. I'll take your advice on trucking but save the catfish stuff for people who don't know better. You people need to stop comparing trucking to combat.

I'm going into school soon too and I've never driven a combination vehicle but the way I'm looking at it is that the schools job is to train people like us to drive those vehicles and they've done it successfully for years so just learn the lessons and enjoy the ride. I think we'll both be fine.

CDL School is like boot camp. Training is like OCS. Being a rookie is like a new infantryman on his first combat deployment. Everyone wants to stay away from him in the field cause he might get shot, or heck, might shoot you. When new drivers back into doors, other drivers point and laugh or sometimes get out to make sure their own truck doesnt get hit.

Actually, you don't stay away from the NUGs, you stay away from the 60 gunner and the RTO, and the guy walking next to the RTO...they're the ones most likely to buy it.

I don't mean to pick on you, I've only been a member here for 2 weeks but I've already read several comments like this. CDL school is not like boot camp, training is not like OCS, and being a rookie is without a doubt not even anything close to combat.

I understand that over 99% of the country hasn't served and I don't think less of them and I usually take comments like those as a compliment but there is such a thing as taking it too far. Truckers are not combat soldiers. I think describing trucking this way is counter-productive.

Also, where does the DOT physical fit into this? Do I need that before getting my CDL, or is that a separate thing?

I don't know if this is a federal or state requirement but in my state you have to have the DOT card in order to take the CDL skills test so definitely check your state online.

While I'm sure that others may chime in as well, I would not post any statements about an accident on a public forum.

I know what you mean. I doubt this happens today due to all of the cameras around but there used to be some people who made a pretty good living getting hit by commercial vehicles. It didn't happen a lot but it happened often enough that most companies didn't want their drivers to admit fault, not even in private with the boss because they never knew if there would be a lawsuit and people put under oath. In 11 years it happened to me twice. In the same neighborhood. That's why I really hope that Raptor doesn't get a call in a couple of days informing him that the other driver has developed a case of back and neck pain.

This guy's sense of entitlement was not fear. It was "It is everyone's fault but mine". We see this all the time as trainers and even in this forum.

Thank you, I was about to post basically the same thing. When I used to train new drivers I had a few like that and fear was not their problem, being spoiled was their problem. None of them were used to being told they were wrong and they all thought that they were smarter than everyone else and knew it all even if was their first day of OJT. When they made mistakes, and they all did, it was never their fault because they couldn't accept the fact that their way wasn't the best way so when they screwed up it was just because no one else realized they were really right, not wrong.

In other words, their parents didn't spank them enough.

Every witness called before a Senate Committee was in favor of raising the federal fuel tax. I'm shocked I tell you, shocked.

This is just another example of how your attitude can make a difference. I can tell you now this driver will probably never make top tier status because top tier drivers don't make excuses. When we screw up we learn and correct.

What was your student like before he tested for the upgrade? Did you have any sense before the test that there was an attitude problem?

Does anyone know if I have to go to the office or can this be done online, haven't found any information on the TXDOT sites about this?

Just call them and ask. I know two people who have non-commercial Class A licenses and they both had to take a skills test. They were upgrading not downgrading but you how Texas is so just call them. My guess is you're going to have to go in to the office.

Any station that plays The Misfits.

I have a Kindle so I read whatever is cheap or free.

I'm not that kind of person however. I'm not going to drive myself home in the middle of the contract. I said I'm willing to stick it out for 10 months and I'm a man of my word. I'm college educated and plan on going to grad school after trucking. I'm a very disciplined person and feel I'm making the most intelligent decision for my life moving forward. My concern is about what to expect at the end of the 10 months not whether or not I'll make it...because I surely will.

I'm new here and am not even going to CDL training until March but...it seems to me that a Master's Degree is your goal. You should just go for that. I think your situation is one where you should consider taking on some debt to reach your goal. I don't see how trucking will help you reach that goal.

I forgot something, I wish we could edit here. This may vary by state but in Michigan I can transfer a valid CDL without taking a road test as long as I'm not upgrading or removing a restriction.

Some of the companies I am talking to wants me to have my permit ahead of time. No problem. My state, Connecticut, requires a DoT Medical Card to get permit, again no problem. So I am going to get the physical next week so if I have any surprises like high blood pressure (okay not so surpriseing) to give meds time to recertify.

Now my question is if I get my permit in CT and go to school in PA do I have to come back to CT for the skills test or does the states have to accept the skill test from state you go to school in?

Let me guess I should call the CT DMV 🤨

I'm in the same boat you are and I've asked a few companies this question and received different answers. Some say they want me to come back to Michigan after receiving a CDL in their state and transfer the CDL but others told me I'd have to use their business address for the CDL in their state. On that second point I am assuming I'd have to transfer the CDL to Michigan at some point in the future but according to them it didn't have to be done right away.

So if you show sleeper, it has to last for a least 2 hours???????

I think what they're saying is if you go 2 hours it counts toward the 2 in the 8/2 split just like Off Duty would but you do it just in case you get to 8 hours. If you don't get to 8 no harm no foul, it's the same as Off Duty at that point. If you do get to 8 and you're Off Duty instead of Sleeper Berth you don't get the credit for the 8 hours so going sleeper berth is just hedging your bets and can't hurt at all.

Ur looking at the lot lizards aren't u😁😁😁 she's a beauty ain't she...

You met Steven Tyler? Aerosmith rocks!

Put yourself on Sleeper Berth when waiting at a Shipper/Receiver.

Noob question...what is the benefit to putting yourself on Sleeper Berth as opposed to Off Duty if you're not going to be on it for 8 hours?