Finally Pulling The Trigger

After more than a year of discussions, planning, rethinking, researching, and learning, I'm finally close to a driving career.

I began filling out apps a week or so ago. Having been self-employed for the past 22+ years, I wasn't used to having to sell myself. As a result, I was a little nervous, wondering how many responses I would get. My nervousness was short-lived however. The recruiters were soon on me like vultures going for the meat!

Today I went down to the dmv to take the permit tests. Again, nervousness washed over me, but again was unnecessary. I practically aced the tests, securing the permit with tanker, doubles/triples, and Hazmat endorsements, only missing a couple questions combined. 100 percent of the credit goes to the High Road Training Program. I used no other training aids, not even anything specific to my state. The HRTP is masterfully put together in a way I could benefit from.

So now the safety and background checks have been ok'd, and although I haven't totally committed yet, I'm tentatively scheduled to head to the Swift Academy in Indy on 12/19. I'm leaning towards Swift simply because of their size, resources, and the belief that I can build a 2nd career there.

Anyhoo, I've said it before, but I'd like to reinforce my sincere appreciation to ALL of you here at TT. The staff, mods, and contributers have all provided invaluable knowledge for us newbs that can't be bought.

Congratulations on taking the step! I'm leaving on Friday on the Greyhound to head to training - nervous and excited. Have not taken the permit tests (they make you wait and do it there) but have used the HRTP on this site as well. I just got the pretrip down (company sent a video) and I can say it now in my sleep.

Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going!

Congratulations Turtle!

I still remember when you first showed up in here and started joining in on some conversations and asking a few questions. It's nice to hear that you are about to get started now. Trust me, things will start moving very quickly once you leave home for that first day of orientation. Hang in there, and you know where you can come for some advice if you need it. There are a lot of "Swifties" in here who have done very well for themselves, so you are in good company.

Good for you Turtle. Best of luck to you and don't be a stranger.

Yay!!!/congrats

Here's a video that helped me learn the pre trip before I went to prime

Search YouTube for Apex CDL pretip cause I can't get that link to work here

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EfW615ZnELE

Thanks a bunch folks. Yep, I've been studying pretrip for a bit now. I'll check out that video Rainy. One can never learn too much! I'm beyond excited about this move. The hardest part is continuing to motivate myself at my current job. After 27 years of doing it, I'm soooooo close to getting out I can't stand it!

The video REALLY helps. You will have a different engine but if you learn the part, you can pick it out on any vehicle.

Because I knee the entire pretrip before going to prime, we rarely spent time on it and concentrated on my shifting and turns, downgrades etc.

Hey that's great to hear Turtle! Very cool that you're pulling the trigger. Also glad to hear things went so well with your permit tests - congrats on that!

I'm of course hoping you'll be keeping us updated on how things progress.

Are you sure you want to start training a week before Christmas? You don't want to wait until after the holidays?

Believe me, I thought long and hard about that Brett. The biggest factor in my decision is I want to close my current business (contractor) in 2016. However, I need to continue working right up to the day before I leave for orientation, so the income lapse will be minimal. If I waited another week, I'd recieve a check from one of my clients in 2017. Then I'd have to file it as next years income schedule C, etc.

Missing Christmas will be tough, but a calculated inconvenience haha.

Congratulations This business is what you make it. Don't listen to negative drivers do what you need to do and keep positive.