Profile For Ohioman1972

Day 2 of training. For the first week I am training with a local dry van driver/trainer. He said I am progressing "ahead of schedule" and he used the term "impressed". I really needed to hear that after all the negatives. Now - reality check. I still struggle on downshifts. Upshifts a little - but I'm learning to float. Downshifts I tend to hammer the accelerator and miss the gear, and slow way down til I get the bailout gear or coast to a stop at a red light. I backed into a tight dock, and a tight space at a busy rest stop, hauled an empty trailer in high wind with nothing hit, and jammed 17 gears. I have the rest of the week to work on shifting, then I'm going to a flatbed. Likely an automatic. As most of the tractors are automatic in this leased fleet.

But I want to be proficient as possible in shifting with the time I have

Ok... today was my last day at Lowe’s. I will be in Orientation starting Wednesday at Sewell Motor Express out of Wilmington, OH. My Little brother got His CDL in March of this year and they’ve already bumped him up to $0.51 a mile and he’s a trainer. But he’s naturally good at anything to do with vehicles. So I know what to expect. He’s almost always home by Saturday morning. Sometimes takes his reset on the road But not often.

As of Tuesday, I now have a Class A CDL with all endorsements! I’ve applied at 3 places. It was down to 2, but someone in my class told me about a local position that seems really good. Home daily, Monday through Friday, 10 hours a day, great insurance... and paying about the same as the other two regional jobs with not-as-good insurance.

Thanks again guys and gals. Really excited to take the test.

Ok.... I took the school’s test and got a 97 on maneuvers. Nicked a cone on the lane change... but the alley dock I got. Still need to make sure I have a good supply of pull ups on my state test in case I get blind side parallel... don’t have that one mastered yet. Need some practice on downshifting and right turns, narrow ones I still get really close to or hit the curbs.

All good points. I had just made an assumption that there were a few carriers that allowed it.

First day of classroom time yesterday. I'm surprised to see I was one of the few that already had the temps in hand. So the first week will be refresher course for me. Happy about that! Still anxious to get out there and get hands on...

I have been researching. I'm not asking opinions on carrying a firearm, nor asking about the legality. I'm fairly well versed on the areas in which I can and can't carry. But what I have found is that most major carriers prohibit drivers from carrying a firearm. Are there any large carriers that do allow it? My searches have come up empty so far.

Update... Temps came in the mail yesterday. Going to get my drug screen and start school Monday. I'll be going full time. My family is gonna help with finances over the next month. So in 5 weeks I should be testing. Gonna schedule that now. Really excited about this.

Congratulations Ohioman! That's great news!

Figured out how to backup pump settings... the interface is actually the Contour Next Link 2.4 meter.

I figure I'll be doing OTR for a couple months. Gotta get back on track, but then I'll see what regional options I have. Excited and a little nervous. Been watching pre-trip inspection videos and trying to commit to memory early before I actually start doing it.

Update... Temps came in the mail yesterday. Going to get my drug screen and start school Monday. I'll be going full time. My family is gonna help with finances over the next month. So in 5 weeks I should be testing. Gonna schedule that now. Really excited about this.

Guys, sorry for the delay in replying. Life has been extra stressful these past few weeks. Thank you for the helpful information. I was just now able to get my DOT card. To my surprise, I'm certified for a year! I am going out the door now to get my temps!

@Marc, I just got the Medtronic 670G. I love it. The sensors, however, are not working well for me. They keep failing. I'm guessing because right now I am very active and moving a lot. They are likely pistoning on me.

@Brett, I am looking at my brother who just got out of school. He said there were recruiters there daily. He is single with no kids, so he is happy to be OTR. His paychecks have been $1200 - $1500 per week gross since he started a couple months ago.

Is that your plan to go OTR?

I'd like to do regional. I still have young kids that live with their mother. If they were grown, I'd be all over OTR.

Guys, sorry for the delay in replying. Life has been extra stressful these past few weeks. Thank you for the helpful information. I was just now able to get my DOT card. To my surprise, I'm certified for a year! I am going out the door now to get my temps!

@Marc, I just got the Medtronic 670G. I love it. The sensors, however, are not working well for me. They keep failing. I'm guessing because right now I am very active and moving a lot. They are likely pistoning on me.

@Brett, I am looking at my brother who just got out of school. He said there were recruiters there daily. He is single with no kids, so he is happy to be OTR. His paychecks have been $1200 - $1500 per week gross since he started a couple months ago.

Wow. Cool (670G).

Can't get sensors on Medicaid because I am Type 2. Mind my asking Type 1 or 2 and insurance carrier?

Remember! MCSA- 5870 form requires testing 3x / day for 90 days. If sensors are failing you gotta finger stick just in case. I ALREADY MADE THAT MISTAKE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO!

So can't help with sensors. I know how to get the Contour Next meter to upload to Medtronic, print reports, etc.. Have not looked at backing up pump data yet. Have you? Was actually about to email my diabetic educator to ask. Noy sure how she does it...

I can also look at getting the Dexcom sensors again. I will likely do that. They worked well but dont link with the meter. I can simply enter manually

Guys, sorry for the delay in replying. Life has been extra stressful these past few weeks. Thank you for the helpful information. I was just now able to get my DOT card. To my surprise, I'm certified for a year! I am going out the door now to get my temps!

@Marc, I just got the Medtronic 670G. I love it. The sensors, however, are not working well for me. They keep failing. I'm guessing because right now I am very active and moving a lot. They are likely pistoning on me.

@Brett, I am looking at my brother who just got out of school. He said there were recruiters there daily. He is single with no kids, so he is happy to be OTR. His paychecks have been $1200 - $1500 per week gross since he started a couple months ago.

Ok - not sure I was clear. I estimated the income from Roehl would be around $45k. I see specialists and I take quite a few different meds, and I use an insulin pump. I'm only looking at dollar signs right now. Changing a career at 46 and looking short term and long term. I have to be able to pay the house, car, child support, etc. I was looking to see if it made more sense to go to a local CDL school and pay back the loan, and have a pick of more carriers? Is there that large a demand for a 46 old rookie with the endorsements?

Long story short, I am starting over in life. Lost a marriage, my career, and most of what I had in a matter of 2 years. I just passed my written tests with the endorsements. I have to wait until Monday to get my DOT card. Likely, due to diabetes and heart disease, I won't get more than 3 months at a time. Anyway, I have been looking at Roehl for the CDL school. I also looked at the insurance. Being that I have to see many specialists, and that I have to provide insurance for my kids, I need to have good insurance that pays a lot. Roehl's insurance plan has a ton of out-of-pocket. Also, it will be about $45k per year. I also have the option of being on disability for a couple months while going to CDL school. I'd imagine it would pay off to do this. Thoughts?