cdl testing& life
- Thread starter VDART
- Start date
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ramenth
Gratis persona
My old man put 3 million miles under his *** driving OTR. Spent the summers as a teen with him, lumping loads.
When I started doing body work for a living everyone of the friends of the family asked "why don't you drive truck like your old man?"
My response was always, "because my old man drives truck."
When I started doing body work for a living everyone of the friends of the family asked "why don't you drive truck like your old man?"
My response was always, "because my old man drives truck."
Bill I will be southbound starting @ 12:45 & be heading back north hopefully by 4:15 am.
The turn around point is a mad house-- finding the northbound set can be interesting the say the least, Lawrence
The turn around point is a mad house-- finding the northbound set can be interesting the say the least, Lawrence
Point it in the direction you want to go and mash on it!
Just watch out for the idiots, you will soon find out most drivers in 4 wheelers don't give you any slack. Passing on the right when your trying to move over, cutting you off in traffic, oh the joys.
Do you run electronic logs, or are they needed?
440outlawdart
Well-Known Member
I was grand fathered in when cdl came out as I had a chauffers lic before there was cdl,im a truck mechanic so I need it for my job,but how I got started in trucking,my dad was a owner operator when he got out of ww2,and he drove till he past away
Me too, does that make us old farts, lol.
1st week complete-- t/a point is still the most difficult -- finding the load back & hooking up the dollies is frustrating for now. (never parked where dispatch says the are)
The stuff a person views while driving in the wee hours is interesting. Everyday something different, deer, people , broken vehicles left right at the white line-- that is just 1 week.
& The amount of traffic leaving the casinos on Sundays is interesting also. Lawrence
The stuff a person views while driving in the wee hours is interesting. Everyday something different, deer, people , broken vehicles left right at the white line-- that is just 1 week.
& The amount of traffic leaving the casinos on Sundays is interesting also. Lawrence
tiltsix
Well-Known Member
I was also grandfathered in .Yes that makes us old farts.I pulled the "wiggle wagons" for several years and loved it.Hang in there you will learn to spot the dolly with the front trailer.Good luck and stay safe..................................................Jeff
Jarlaxle
Well-Known Member
Having driven (local, not OTR) for a living...yeah, you see some WEIRD stuff. Two come to mind.
A couple years ago, I was driving a 26' box truck in Boston. On Melnea Cass Blvd., I look in the right mirror...and some dude on a bicycle is hitching a ride by holding my dock bumper! :banghead:
Maybe ten years ago, I was on state highway 165 in CT. 165 is a winding country 2-lane...I rounded a curve...and damn if there wasn't a BATHTUB right on the double-yellow! :wack:
Dude...if you're going to be a cheap bastard and dump your old tub...well, OK fine, you're going to be a jackass. But hey, how about dumping it somewhere it's not likely to KILL SOMEBODY! :axe: :axe:
update-- have settled into a routine--- sleep is still difficult to manage.
the backing has finally settled down a bit-- I'm not great but can get my set done faster than the allotted time.
Every day there is a little thing that could have big consequences--
All the old timers say stay in your routine & double check your rig before pulling out.
People alongside a major interstate at 2:30 am is amazing-- 3 guys were along side I-44 in Downtown Okc-- not sure what they were doing-- but no vehicle in site & these guys were not youngsters-- I made sure to give them wide berth!!
Winter on the way no looking forward to the snow /ice the Kansas /Oklahoma run will encounter.
my goal is to get my 180 days of double so I can bid a route next May. (set times on those)
Lawrence
the backing has finally settled down a bit-- I'm not great but can get my set done faster than the allotted time.
Every day there is a little thing that could have big consequences--
All the old timers say stay in your routine & double check your rig before pulling out.
People alongside a major interstate at 2:30 am is amazing-- 3 guys were along side I-44 in Downtown Okc-- not sure what they were doing-- but no vehicle in site & these guys were not youngsters-- I made sure to give them wide berth!!
Winter on the way no looking forward to the snow /ice the Kansas /Oklahoma run will encounter.
my goal is to get my 180 days of double so I can bid a route next May. (set times on those)
Lawrence
nothingbutdarts
Well-Known Member
Good to hear all is well! Just be safe, stay alert and watch for the idiots on the road. Don't be in a hurry in the winter!!!!!!
dragondan64
Banned
Just remember you being the newbie at any OTR company you will get stomped on by the senior drivers when it comes to dispatching loads, they get first choices and the companies that say they don't give seniority are liars! I have had cdl since 1990 and have driven for a lot of different companies. Now driving in the oil fields because its simply the best paying local driver jobs. For newbies you need to be careful of BS promises from OTR companies claiming what you can make your first year. Go to a truck stop and ask drivers how they like the companies they drive for and 90% will tell you they are looking for a new ride. It sucks but true. Go to a reputable school and some help with employment and then get about 6 months to a year under your belt and then start looking. Not trying to discourage you I am simply telling you from experience. Just research the companies and check their safety ratings with DOT and be sure to ask a lot of questions and talk to employees if possible. Try www.mtsdm.com after you have 6-12 months incident free driving experience and they can help you find the reputable companies that hire less experienced drivers. I have used them and that's how I found the company I drive for now. Most oil field companies hire you with 6-12 months driving experience but beware the fly by night companies that are new to the oil fields and trying to take advantage of the quick bucks. Go with companies that have proven track records. Get all your endorsements when you take your exam even if you don't think you will ever need them, the companies like you to have them all. Hazmat tanker will earn you more money. I have all endorsements and my TWIC card for port entries and I took extreme backing training as well as the smith system training courses and it paid off. Also helps to get OSHA 12 safety training done early incase the company requires it, they like to see it on your resume. Good luck and research the driving schools. They cost about 5 to 7 grand for training which you can qualify for assistance through your local workforce programs and they don't require you to pay it back if you stay employed doing the job you got trained for for 1 year after graduating. They will only pay for a reputable school in your area so that can help you decide which school to choose also.
The company I work for has been around since 1907-- I need 4 more full time years to attain a special 25 year retirement plateau.
I have been with this company since 1989 starting part time.
My loads are the same as the senior drivers-- they just pull 3 trailers or combo sets(also have newer tractors) -- I can only pull 2 pups (28 ft) or a single for now.
The routes are what are the premium the best routes go to the senior drivers, some get right at the 60 hours DOT mark weekly-- 20 hours ot makes for a nice paycheck--
My short term goal is to get through this winter unscathed
5 year plan is to bid a better route in terms of sleep arrangements
I need at least 8-10 years to get my daughter through college-- then hopefully I can get a local yard job with better hours (pay cut) & spend time piddling on cars & such.
right now I've joined the "Y" I'm trying not to get the trucker gut so many guys fall victim too.
Lawrence
I have been with this company since 1989 starting part time.
My loads are the same as the senior drivers-- they just pull 3 trailers or combo sets(also have newer tractors) -- I can only pull 2 pups (28 ft) or a single for now.
The routes are what are the premium the best routes go to the senior drivers, some get right at the 60 hours DOT mark weekly-- 20 hours ot makes for a nice paycheck--
My short term goal is to get through this winter unscathed
5 year plan is to bid a better route in terms of sleep arrangements
I need at least 8-10 years to get my daughter through college-- then hopefully I can get a local yard job with better hours (pay cut) & spend time piddling on cars & such.
right now I've joined the "Y" I'm trying not to get the trucker gut so many guys fall victim too.
Lawrence
BJs Duster
BJs duster
Good luck with the new direction you are going with your career . I'm sure you will do great ,i'm sure its like every other job the more you do it the easier it will get . have a great weekend and drive safe . Bob
update!! just completed triple training & lcv (long combination vehicle) still running to Okc nightly, the body feels much better than the other job. Ice this past winter in OKC was a BI***
people do not understand that 60+ foot of tractor trailer will not stop quickly!!(now up to 105 feet)
It is like I work for a different company --boss man talks about monster trucks or his 9 second chevelle-- unless you are really screwing up work is not brought up-- bad thing he retires this July.
I've seen 7 tractor trailer roll overs (do not think the driver survived all of them)-- in my short career that is not a good ratio-- most drivers have courtesy but some seem to own the road!!
Just passed my DOT physical so I'm good for 2 more years-- I've got to start eating better-!!
@ 51 years old just not as agile as I would like.
Later Lawrence
people do not understand that 60+ foot of tractor trailer will not stop quickly!!(now up to 105 feet)
It is like I work for a different company --boss man talks about monster trucks or his 9 second chevelle-- unless you are really screwing up work is not brought up-- bad thing he retires this July.
I've seen 7 tractor trailer roll overs (do not think the driver survived all of them)-- in my short career that is not a good ratio-- most drivers have courtesy but some seem to own the road!!
Just passed my DOT physical so I'm good for 2 more years-- I've got to start eating better-!!
@ 51 years old just not as agile as I would like.
Later Lawrence
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