Looking For Advice

I am currently in a situation where I am divorced with no kids, no family or friends an my roommates are about to kick me out, now don't get me wrong I'm not a bad guy, it's just I have a low tolerance for idiots, which means I'll be homeless soon, I have always wanted to be otr trucker, good pay an a place to sleep, but I have never driven anything other the 4 door cars. I am desperately in need of advice. Thanks

The people who are expert level at inserting all of the helpful links will be along any minute... but in the meantime - what's making you take pause? Why aren't you already applying to schools?

Welcome David, glad you could join us!

The first piece of advice I have is on this:

it's just I have a low tolerance for idiots,

Yeah you're just going to have to get over that. The world is full of idiots, and the trucking industry has it's share as well. Learning how to deal with idiots will go a long way towards your success in any field.

That said, why don't you look over some of the info we have on understanding and getting started in this career.

We're here to help with any questions you have.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

- what's making you take pause? Why aren't you already applying to schools?

I tryed going to csrt a few years ago, I was given a grayhound ticket from them an spend 3 days getting from Lebanon TN, to cedar springs Iowa, I arrived not knowing where to go or what to do so I asked around an was told by everyone things like if I didn't pass the tests that i would be homeless in Iowa with no money, no way back home, the 2 other guys I was bunked with had me transfered to another room because they said I stunk of cigarettes because I do smoke an my family told me even if I made it back to Nashville they would not pick me up so I had to walk the 30 miles back to my roommates place. I have wanted to be otr ever since I was in highschool, but I don't want to go through that situation again

Your low tolerance for idiots is going to be a huge challenge for you in this profession ... cause there are endless numbers of them on the road.

I tryed going to csrt a few years ago, I was given a grayhound ticket from them an spend 3 days getting from Lebanon TN, to cedar springs Iowa, I arrived not knowing where to go or what to do so I asked around an was told by everyone things like if I didn't pass the tests that i would be homeless in Iowa with no money, no way back home, the 2 other guys I was bunked with had me transfered to another room because they said I stunk of cigarettes because I do smoke an my family told me even if I made it back to Nashville they would not pick me up so I had to walk the 30 miles back to my roommates place. I have wanted to be otr ever since I was in highschool, but I don't want to go through that situation again

So, did you decide just not to show up then? Everything worthwhile in life has a chance for failure. You just gotta work your ass off and try your hardest. You'll never know unless you just jump in with both feet and do it.

Read all the links that Turtle posted (and then some!) This site has a wealth of information like you won't find anywhere else and it's full of an amazing group of drivers that are just here to help and give their HONEST opinions / experiences. You may not always like what you read but it will be the truth. Best of luck!

By my handle here, you should know they are my one and only. Life is full of idiots. Sometimes I am the biggest idiot in the world. We have all done our fair share of idiot. Trucking will humble you. You will make bone head mistakes. With that said, if CFI takes you and you fail, get fired or quit properly, they will bus you home. My friend had a student, who CFI found out had lied on his application. My friend was told to drive him to the nearest Greyhound station and drop him off, a ticket was reserved for the student. Just look at all my comments and training diary to learn more. Good luck.

David B. says:

I have a low tolerance for idiots,

Listen/read carefully: no one here is getting on your case about your low tolerance. Also, we do get "idiots" visiting this forum, but none of the the people who have answered above are idiots.

The first two on Turtle's reading list will clue you in on the Trucker Lifestyle. The second two will get you set up for the Permit Test.

As for the usual gang of idiots you'll run across, you will need to build both patience and tolerance. There's no escaping them.

Here's some of my answers for the things that happened on yours trip to Cedar Springs IA: (this is Swift's policy, I don't see that CRST would be different) Of you fail the tests, the company will get you a ticket home. The only way they might boot you out to the street is if you break some rules (like fighting, having a beer, failing a drug test).

If you smoke, make sure you get a room with another smoker. That way you won't be victimized by us non-tolerating non-smokers.

I have no advice about your family relationships, so I can't help you there.

Maybe you might like OTR trucking since it can be a lonely job. Maybe that's what you may get out of it.

But, David, keep this in mind: the members of this forum are here because we want new truckers, including you, to succeed in their decision. WE have little patience here for those who want to play victim, or consider most others are just not up to some standard. As others have said, you will be more successful if you take care of yourself, and not worry too much about how others acting.

Depending on exactly how CRST really went three years ago or not you might have some obsticals all ready in place for you to find your way around. They typically don't just let things go.

WE have little patience here for those who want to play victim, or consider most others are just not up to some standard

My thoughts exactly. Your roommates are idiots, so you are gonna be homeless. CRST didnt tell you where to go (which doesnt explain why you left), your hotel mates complained, your family was selfish and wouldnt help.

All i hear is negativity and blame. I hate that. Why do you need roommates that can dictate where you live? You had a hotel at CRST so you must have been given SOME info. Why did you leave? If you really wanted to get into trucking, the same determination that caused you to walk 30 miles should have pushed you through training.

Take a hard look at the negativity and then get rid of it. It will hinder your career.