Just be patient and everything will work out. Trucking isn’t going anywhere and you’ll get your start into a very fun and potentially lucrative career. One step at a time, it’ll happen.
Bubbles I know it is frustrating. You're ready to go but everything else seems to be getting in your way.
When I first started coming back to the industry it was shortly after I had shattered my pinky finger and had to have it put back together. My knuckle had broken into seven pieces. I went in for my physical with my hand still in its brace and they wouldn't certify me. I had to have a grip strength of 40 pounds per inch and I had ten.
Finally got to school and failed my physical due to sugar in the urine. Got that under control and a month later was back at school May 9th, 2017. May 10th President Trump issued the executive order requiring showing proof of citizenship to upgrade your license even if you already did it to get your initial license. Guess what for the first time in my life I couldn't find? My birth certificate was nowhere to be found.
To make matters worse I couldn't just go to a court house and get a copy. I was born in Iceland while my dad was stationed on the NATO base. I had to go through the State Department to get a new certificate. That process was supposed to take 10 weeks from the time they processed my application. However, someone took pity on me and I had it 14 days from the day they received it.
I just finished my third year with Swift. Keep your eye on the goal.
Operating While Intoxicated
Thank you Robert B and Big T for y'alls words of encouragement. I swear I feels like for ever but I'm totally gonna be patient especially since i got so far. So glad the trucking industry is plentiful. That's another reasons why I love this industry. Big T how in the world!!! Your knuckles broke into SEVEN PIECES and you still wanted to do what you love. can I say Super man? I broke my ankle in 3 pieces back in 2016. Got out my vehicle thinking it was gonna catch fire,looked down and my foot was hanging by (this was my right ankle) skin. I just knew I wouldn't make to what I wanted to do. But 2017,I got cleared by my physician after the inserts of my pins and rods. But your right. I need to stay focus on my goal. Just have to be patient. I mean I'm a sol believer that things happen for a reason.
Hang in there Bubbles!! I know how you feel. You are a lot closer to getting started then I am. I decided last fall to make the career move to trucking from owning a small landscaping business. My plan was to sell my business in January and hopefully head to training by March. Well, I got jammed up selling the business and getting all my tax paperwork together to show proof of employment (took longer then expected). Then corona hit and the world shut down so I took a temporary job delivering for Amazon to avoid the dreaded employment gap which I’m still doing and had enough of. Finally went for my physical 2 weeks ago at a CVS minute clinic because PA requires some completed paperwork, payment and a copy of your med card before they will allow you to test for the permit. I passed everything but the 1 eye I had surgery on few years ago. Have an eye doc appt this coming Tuesday to hopefully get that fixed up. To add insult to injury and delay me yet a little longer, tropical storm Isiais caused water damage in my finished basement which I need to get back in order before I head off to training. Its been one thing after another holding me up this whole year. I just keep my head up and know I will eventually get there, better days are ahead.
Bubbles, I'm reading all this stuff and wondering how you are going to deal with "drama" at home while you are on the road? It's gonna happen, and in your case it may happen a lot.
Think about it. It's been a perfect storm for you to even attempt trucking. What kind of storms are gonna blow up once you get started? There's no stress on the road like the stress you feel coming from home. Trucking has destroyed many a marriage because of this. It's not something to be undertaken lightly. Trucking has consequences.
Bubbles, I'm reading all this stuff and wondering how you are going to deal with "drama" at home while you are on the road? It's gonna happen, and in your case it may happen a lot.
Think about it. It's been a perfect storm for you to even attempt trucking. What kind of storms are gonna blow up once you get started? There's no stress on the road like the stress you feel coming from home. Trucking has destroyed many a marriage because of this. It's not something to be undertaken lightly. Trucking has consequences.
I've gotta tell ya, Bubbles (and you know i DO support your desires, as a fellow female aspiring trucker myself) but in this moment, I'm with Old School here.
Here's why: He, for instance, is in a Hotel, overcoming illness, away from his family . . . for a week. A WHOLE week. Too sick to make it home, apparently. It's happened to MY FAMILY w/ my husband as well.
^^^^^^ How would YOUR husband handle 'that?' Stuff like this HAPPENS, m'lady.
You know I wish you nothing but the best, I commend you for chasing your dreams; I'm just wondering if the 'stars' are lined up for this just yet, for you. Maybe going through a private school will either make or break you. Keep in mind that your 'newly minted' CDL gets 'stale' the minute you leave their premises, until you accept your first job. Let 6 months go by, and it's almost naught.
Are you getting a WIOA (sp?) grant or some sort of 'assistance' for this course? If so, and you drop out, they won't give you a 'do over.' I'm just questioning your FAMILY readiness. Not you, but it's not JUST you. It's a FAMILY committed career, as has been stated MULTIPLE times, ma'am.
You stated you come from a family of 'drivers.' Is there anyone in the immediate family pool that still drives, preferably OTR , that could take you along for a bit? Get the taste of the lifestyle, kinda thing? See how many times the hubby blows your phone up, texting 'worried' or needing you? I would REALLY suggest you reach out to one of your family members and do a 'ride along,' because IMHO, you may be 'glamourizing' this career, to a degree. You are young, newly married, and trying to be 'newly minted' at the same time.
Sorry if I seem 'harsh' you know it's not my intentions whatsoever. I'd LOVE to be the driver in MY family, as well. I'm also mature and seasoned enough with this industry, to KNOW that it's not my time and place (yet) whatsoever, for family values, kids, home, and earning capabilities. To 'retire' my husband to having 'no clue' how to take care of what bills when, homeschool the last kiddo in the home (16 y/o male, NOT easy!) and to make about a third what he does, just starting out (<<<<<<< yes, we did the math!) just isn't feasible. Yet.
Perhaps when the kiddo joins the military or goes off to college, we can re'assess. Now just isn't the time. I can be a 'late' bloomer, like Susan D., or Laura (IDMtnGal) just fine, my self!
Wish you well; sorry to rant..... O/S's post got me thinking. If you ever hit me up on soc'med ... I could share WAY more, m'lady.
Best to you, either way!
Anne :)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Formerly known as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the WIOA was established in 1998 to prepare youth, adults and dislocated workers for entry and reentry into the workforce. WIOA training funds are designed to serve laid-off individuals, older youth and adults who are in need of training to enter or reenter the labor market. A lot of truck drivers get funding for their CDL training through WIOA.
Thank you all for your responses!! Delco with you STILL walking through this tornado with both shoes still on your feet to achieve your goal into the trucking world, it only shows how committed you are to this industry. With that being said, I wish you alot and the best of luck to you in your journey.😃
Old School,You have me thinking hard now Haha. But seriously,I haven't gave alot of thought about if I became sick,or if anything happens at home. Well,no no let me take that back. I gave it some thought just not alot to the point where it would drive me away from what I wanted to do. Now that I'm seeing I'm thinking I probably will hold off this time atleast for another year. Especially when it gets cooled outside, cause Woo was it hot standing outside during training. Maybe I was just rushing into this that, I was just thinking for me and not him and how he really feels. He gave me the OK. But that "OK" could probably be just a "Ok,but hope you know I'll worry the freak outta you and if I get that phone call,I'll probably die right there...even if the phone call was just about you learning how to put chains on a tire" type of ok. But OLD SCHOOL,I'm sending lots of healing your way man!! Praying you recover fast from your illness. 2020 is definitely not the year at all,I tell ya!!
Hey Anne. Yeah your right. I just really wanted to get a move on with my career. This is something I will absolutely love to do even if I have "those days",I'll stick em out because this is so much my than just a career to me. But with my hubby he's 100% beside me. Or so I think. I just can't fabricate how I feel right now. Once I get closer to opening that door,I'll still be forgetting the key and have to go back home. I'm more burnt up than a hickory smoke sausage. (sorry for my southern sayings,cant help it at all lol). In my mind I should probably wait. Give it another year and jump start it next fall. But yes, to the statement about me having a line of truck drivers. I have took trips with my dad as a child and way up to I think 15-16 years old. When I say I was having the time of my LIFE. It was amazing,truely amazing. My uncle and dad are kind of a match when it comes to years in service. My dad is 23 years in it, my uncle is 20 years in it. My mom and dad has been married for 25 years has 5 kids (one who has became an angel recently),my uncle and his wife has been married for 27 years he has 3 kids(previous relationship),she has none. Saw some ups and downs with trucking as a grew up. Alot of times it seems as though my dad never left. When he comes home, omg this is gonna give me nostalgia. But him and my mom would dance and sing for nearly hours in front of my siblings. The next day we would go out to eat, go shopping. Than Sunday morning he would leave out. 2-3 later here he go again Haha. But after that my cousins started to jump in to the trucking industry and let me tell ya,they feel like completel bad***es Haha. But yeah. Probably give it time. Next fall sounds better and COOLER. Learn my lesson about summer days. Again thank you all so much for you advices and encouragements.
Thank you all for your responses!! Delco with you STILL walking through this tornado with both shoes still on your feet to achieve your goal into the trucking world, it only shows how committed you are to this industry. With that being said, I wish you alot and the best of luck to you in your journey.😃
Old School,You have me thinking hard now Haha. But seriously,I haven't gave alot of thought about if I became sick,or if anything happens at home. Well,no no let me take that back. I gave it some thought just not alot to the point where it would drive me away from what I wanted to do. Now that I'm seeing I'm thinking I probably will hold off this time atleast for another year. Especially when it gets cooled outside, cause Woo was it hot standing outside during training. Maybe I was just rushing into this that, I was just thinking for me and not him and how he really feels. He gave me the OK. But that "OK" could probably be just a "Ok,but hope you know I'll worry the freak outta you and if I get that phone call,I'll probably die right there...even if the phone call was just about you learning how to put chains on a tire" type of ok. But OLD SCHOOL,I'm sending lots of healing your way man!! Praying you recover fast from your illness. 2020 is definitely not the year at all,I tell ya!!
Hey Anne. Yeah your right. I just really wanted to get a move on with my career. This is something I will absolutely love to do even if I have "those days",I'll stick em out because this is so much my than just a career to me. But with my hubby he's 100% beside me. Or so I think. I just can't fabricate how I feel right now. Once I get closer to opening that door,I'll still be forgetting the key and have to go back home. I'm more burnt up than a hickory smoke sausage. (sorry for my southern sayings,cant help it at all lol). In my mind I should probably wait. Give it another year and jump start it next fall. But yes, to the statement about me having a line of truck drivers. I have took trips with my dad as a child and way up to I think 15-16 years old. When I say I was having the time of my LIFE. It was amazing,truely amazing. My uncle and dad are kind of a match when it comes to years in service. My dad is 23 years in it, my uncle is 20 years in it. My mom and dad has been married for 25 years has 5 kids (one who has became an angel recently),my uncle and his wife has been married for 27 years he has 3 kids(previous relationship),she has none. Saw some ups and downs with trucking as a grew up. Alot of times it seems as though my dad never left. When he comes home, omg this is gonna give me nostalgia. But him and my mom would dance and sing for nearly hours in front of my siblings. The next day we would go out to eat, go shopping. Than Sunday morning he would leave out. 2-3 later here he go again Haha. But after that my cousins started to jump in to the trucking industry and let me tell ya,they feel like completel bad***es Haha. But yeah. Probably give it time. Next fall sounds better and COOLER. Learn my lesson about summer days. Again thank you all so much for you advices and encouragements.
Just checking in, m'lady. So, safe to say you ARE putting schooling on hold until next Fall? <<<< That would be MY advice. Besides, who knows. If you can be gainfully employed 'elsewhere' for a good year plus, that'll even look BETTER FOR YOU coming into the industry~!!
Additionally, you may even (by then) find a COMPANY SPONSORED TRAINING that will work for you!
That's my two cents, ma'am.
Wish you well; let us know!
Anne ~ :)
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
Thank you all for your responses!! Delco with you STILL walking through this tornado with both shoes still on your feet to achieve your goal into the trucking world, it only shows how committed you are to this industry. With that being said, I wish you alot and the best of luck to you in your journey.😃
Old School,You have me thinking hard now Haha. But seriously,I haven't gave alot of thought about if I became sick,or if anything happens at home. Well,no no let me take that back. I gave it some thought just not alot to the point where it would drive me away from what I wanted to do. Now that I'm seeing I'm thinking I probably will hold off this time atleast for another year. Especially when it gets cooled outside, cause Woo was it hot standing outside during training. Maybe I was just rushing into this that, I was just thinking for me and not him and how he really feels. He gave me the OK. But that "OK" could probably be just a "Ok,but hope you know I'll worry the freak outta you and if I get that phone call,I'll probably die right there...even if the phone call was just about you learning how to put chains on a tire" type of ok. But OLD SCHOOL,I'm sending lots of healing your way man!! Praying you recover fast from your illness. 2020 is definitely not the year at all,I tell ya!!
Hey Anne. Yeah your right. I just really wanted to get a move on with my career. This is something I will absolutely love to do even if I have "those days",I'll stick em out because this is so much my than just a career to me. But with my hubby he's 100% beside me. Or so I think. I just can't fabricate how I feel right now. Once I get closer to opening that door,I'll still be forgetting the key and have to go back home. I'm more burnt up than a hickory smoke sausage. (sorry for my southern sayings,cant help it at all lol). In my mind I should probably wait. Give it another year and jump start it next fall. But yes, to the statement about me having a line of truck drivers. I have took trips with my dad as a child and way up to I think 15-16 years old. When I say I was having the time of my LIFE. It was amazing,truely amazing. My uncle and dad are kind of a match when it comes to years in service. My dad is 23 years in it, my uncle is 20 years in it. My mom and dad has been married for 25 years has 5 kids (one who has became an angel recently),my uncle and his wife has been married for 27 years he has 3 kids(previous relationship),she has none. Saw some ups and downs with trucking as a grew up. Alot of times it seems as though my dad never left. When he comes home, omg this is gonna give me nostalgia. But him and my mom would dance and sing for nearly hours in front of my siblings. The next day we would go out to eat, go shopping. Than Sunday morning he would leave out. 2-3 later here he go again Haha. But after that my cousins started to jump in to the trucking industry and let me tell ya,they feel like completel bad***es Haha. But yeah. Probably give it time. Next fall sounds better and COOLER. Learn my lesson about summer days. Again thank you all so much for you advices and encouragements.
Just checking in, m'lady. So, safe to say you ARE putting schooling on hold until next Fall? <<<< That would be MY advice. Besides, who knows. If you can be gainfully employed 'elsewhere' for a good year plus, that'll even look BETTER FOR YOU coming into the industry~!!
Additionally, you may even (by then) find a COMPANY SPONSORED TRAINING that will work for you!
That's my two cents, ma'am.
Wish you well; let us know!
Anne ~ :)
Thank you so much Anne. And you're completely right. I'm going to try Titan Transfer again next fall. Crossing my fingers that everything this time goes as planned. Will definitely keep you guys updated. Will countiue to stay in touch with you all also,definitely will not go AWOL haha.
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
This year has been outrageous for me. From jumping from school to company sponsored training to school. It has been crazy. Well just got news today that instead of starting class on the 17th,I will start on the 24th because my recruiter hasn't received my ITA or voucher from my counselor who was supposed to have sent this off last week to Roadmaster. Not gonna lie you guys. That spark I had when I first started my journey has slowed degraded. I know I shouldn't be a debbie downer but man as soon as I take 2 steps forward there's always something pushing me 10 steps back. But hopefully the 24th will actually be my start date. My recruiter who I known FOREVER is being very encouraging. I knew she was gonna be a spark of life when I first met her over the phone and in person a few years ago. So that's alot of positivity for me. But will update as soon as I can.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.