Bullitt's New Journey
Topic 26557 | Page 6
I passed my CDL B with P&S endorsements PreT/Skills/Road test on Friday :)
In Pennsylvania, you only need a PA state only med cert for School Bus. That means you only can do intrastate (in state driving only.) Since I have a USDOT Med card I can go interstate. So I'm more valuable to the company because I can now do trips out of state.
Moreover, The company has a Limo/Charter division. Which I can drive for them also. The company has two Terminals. So I could pick up trips as a slip seat/sub driver, if needed.
I will drive for them for at least a school year, to satisfy the paid training commitment. Then I plan to go finally make the jump to CDL A, my ultimate goal.
Welp. Swift training didn't happen. There were a number of reasons why. The biggest is that my family (including I) weren't ready for the life change. COVID had a lot to do with it, directly and indirectly, as regards to my daughter's schooling, my wife's job(s) and home life.
Over the Summer, It came clear that our marriage was waning. We have decided to divorce amicably. Because of these developments, I can't go Class A at this time. I need to see how things settle.
So I'm going Class B with P&S endorsements driving school buses. (The terminal is actually a few blocks from G-towns home.) I live a couple miles away. I have my permit and I have started training. Today was the first time behind the wheel. I'm also working on my pretrip.
They have a similar training paid arrangement like the Class A Carriers. Paid training and give them a year. So I plan to stick it out for the School year and hopefully things look up in Fall of 2022 to go for my Class A.
Wow, Bullitt !!!
So much, eh?
Geesh; I'm sorry about the relationship. I truly am. I had a bag packed MYSELF during Covid. It was a tough year (and still is, another one.)
I am totally on board with understanding that KIDS come first; still why I'm delaying MY TURN at CDLA until next year, myself. What's so bad about driving BUSES? If my torn rotator cuff ever heals, I might be doing the same, this winter...until my kid ages up next year...or even in the Spring. Jury is out on that one.... but YAY FOR YOU!!!
Super glad you stopped back in, man. Swift will still BE there, if ever the time comes, man.
There's a few places here in Ohio that will PAY $700/child (for the school year) for commuting your own (or somebody else's!) kids to and fro, school !!!
Blessings, always . . .
~ Anne ~
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.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Intrastate:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
Ya know what, Bullitt? With the SUPER shortage of bus drivers (Ohio is paying PARENTS $700/YEAR to commute their own kids!) This is VERY huge of you, and noble.
You are filling a HUGE niche that NEEDS you, yet still building skills, for whatever the future holds, & beyond!!
If you get a gig driving a tour bus for some heckuva 80's (or so?) band.. DON'T forget me, haha!
Kudos, man.
Sounds tight.
~ Anne ~
This just happened today. My 1 year Anniversary. I will, for now, continue to drive Buses. My plan is in early 2023 to go Class A.
This just happened today. My 1 year Anniversary. I will, for now, continue to drive Buses. My plan is in early 2023 to go Class A.
Congrats, man!
Glad to see you back around, it sure has BEEN awhile! Keep us in the loop; 2023 will be here before we know it. I'm excited for ya; it'll be fun to follow your journey on here, via TT diary of course. :)
Driving buses is a craft of its own, I'm sure. I'm not akin to other people much anymore... doubt I could do it, myself. Good for you, man.
Stop back, share pics, stay safe;
~ Anne ~
ps: Did you end up GOING the tour bus route? Fun!!!
Best part of my job is watching the Sunrise. The calm before the storm of middle schoolers.
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Wow, Bullitt !!!
So much, eh?
Geesh; I'm sorry about the relationship. I truly am. I had a bag packed MYSELF during Covid. It was a tough year (and still is, another one.)
I am totally on board with understanding that KIDS come first; still why I'm delaying MY TURN at CDLA until next year, myself. What's so bad about driving BUSES? If my torn rotator cuff ever heals, I might be doing the same, this winter...until my kid ages up next year...or even in the Spring. Jury is out on that one.... but YAY FOR YOU!!!
Super glad you stopped back in, man. Swift will still BE there, if ever the time comes, man.
There's a few places here in Ohio that will PAY $700/child (for the school year) for commuting your own (or somebody else's!) kids to and fro, school !!!
Blessings, always . . .
~ Anne ~
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.