Thanks For All The Great Info So Far

Topic 18063 | Page 1

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Partagas's Comment
member avatar

Greetings - I'm new to this forum, but have been reading numerous posts, all of the articles, Brett's book, and have been working through the High Road Training materials. I actually took & passed the CLP knowledge tests for basic knowledge, combinations, air brakes, and tankers yesterday and passed easily thanks to the High Road materials - thanks for making them available!

I first came across this TT as I was searching for information and articles related to RV delivery. The common theme that emerged from that research is that RV delivery has a lot of the regulation and challenges of trucking but with less support and a fraction of the pay. So, I decided to look more into heavy trucking. I just retired after 33 years in public safety, the kids are gone to college, and health insurance just keeps taking a bigger and bigger bite out of my retirement funds. That, and after a few months off, I have a lot of projects done around the house and need to get back to work. I've always had an interest in trucking, love to drive, prefer long road trips, and have been towing trailers of some type since I learned to drive (nothing larger than our 30' 5th wheel camper though). I'm hoping the fact I towed the camper about 50,000 miles in the 9 years we had it, from the Rockies, to New York, DC, and Charleston SC - including several passes through Chicago will help my transition into trucking.

My wife is still working and supports my decision to drive as long as I'm not gone too long at a time - we're still working on agreeing on what "too long" means. She's been doing a lot of reading to gain a spouse's understanding of trucking and we've been talking a lot about regional positions with different hometime options.

I've toured two CDL schools in our area, one private and one community college, and sat in on a Schneider recruiter's presentation yesterday. I'm leaning toward the private school, which I discovered is owned by a guy I actually know somewhat. They train with full sleeper cab tractors and 53 foot trailers, vs. the Kodiak trucks and 32 foot flatbeds some of the other schools use.

The top companies I'm looking into are Schneider, Roehl, and West Side Transport which all run regional routes in our area. CDL school is probably a few weeks away yet as they're full through March at this point.

That's about it by way of introduction - mainly I wanted to say thanks to everyone who makes this site work, put together the High Road materials, and gives of your time to share your knowledge and experience with those of us either contemplating or taking the first steps into a new career in trucking.

Don

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Regional:

Regional Route

Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

CLP:

Commercial Learner's Permit

Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.

Brett Aquila's Comment
member avatar

Welcome aboard Partagas! You've certainly been doing your research, that's apparent already. Glad to have you and looking forward to following along with your journey!

smile.gif

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

John Miller's Comment
member avatar

Hi Don I'm pretty much on the same track as you (semi ret, wife, Rv 65,000, kids in college, regional). I went to a private school in Detroit and now have a CDL , there are a lot of jobs out there I had six offers but ended up going with Halvor Lines flatbed div. Sounds like you have a good handle on the process I just would not spend to much time looking for a job now because when you get close to graduation the company's will start to beat your door down. Good luck

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Regional:

Regional Route

Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.

Partagas's Comment
member avatar

Thanks Brett - you've really done a great job with this sight. Out of the different ones I belong to this one stands alone as being positive and absent the testosterone-fueled peeing contests that seem so prevalent on most forums. Nicely done.

John - I've looked at Halvor - their HQ in Superior is just over two hours from me and my mom graduated high school there back in the early 40's so it feels somewhat "homey" to me when we visit. Did you find that your RV experience helped you learn heavy trucking/towing at all?

This week: Passed the Hazmat knowledge test Wednesday and only blew one question. What placards do you place if you have a 2L cylinder of poison gas that is also flammable. Oh well - a little humility... Overall, I'm very happy - thanks entirely to the High Road process.

I spoke with a recruiter from West Side Transport this week and started the process with Roehl. I also found out the primary client for my consulting business requires my services in March, so it looks like CDL training will have to wait until April. It'll definitely be warmer then for the hours spent outdoors on pre-trips.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

HAZMAT:

Hazardous Materials

Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

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