Hi all,
I have been lurking here for a little while, reading and reading. I have been a stay at home Mom for quite a while now and its time for me to look at reentering the workforce, probably within the next year. I am considering a few careers, including getting my cdl permit and going to school to get my cdl and going OTR. I just have a few concerns.
1. I have never driven a stick and know very little about tractor trailers. If I need extra practice at the school, do they give you extra time beyond the graduation date? I am worried the 6 weeks arent enough and in the end, what if I fail and lose out on the money?
2. Assuming I did pass, can you have some kind of portable potty for the truck? If you have to go, can you go? Or are you restricted to drive and drive without a potty break? What if your on the road and get food poisoning? Are they flexible with someone driving and stopping because they are sick?
3. I have been a stay at home mom for several years now. So I dont have much a recent work history, except for a summer long gig back a couple years ago. Would companies frown on me not having a recent work history and therefore not have much interest in hiring me?
4. Would companies lose interest in me as a possible employee due to having children back at home?
5. Does a tractor trailer drive like a car on snow and ice or does the weight of it keep it from sliding as easily?
6. How long do you have to be OTR before being able to work locally? I always see "experienced drivers," but I dont know how many years that correlates to.
7. I watched a video recently where students had to complete the physical component of their school. They had to bend down, pick up a metal crate with an object inside and carry it across the room. I believe it was Maverick's school. Does every school require that? How much weight are you required to pick up? I assume the standards are the same for women as men?
8. How feasible is it to squeeze in a walk during your 10 hours of downtime? How do you personally try to stay somewhat healthy/ in shape?
9. Is it possible to do a ride along to get a real idea what life is like as a truck driver? Do any companies offer that or is it considered too much of a liability?
10. Last, if you cook in your truck, how do you rinse off your dirty dishes?
I am considering getting my cdl because I love driving. I have driven between Alaska, Canada, and the lower 48's several times during all seasons, sans hubby. I just like to drive and be alone, so I thought maybe I should make it a career? But I know there is a lot more to being a trucker so thought I would start with a few questions. Thanks for any help! I appreciate you reading my post.
Have a few questions
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by mountainlaurel, Nov 28, 2014.
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not sure you can ask companies
Last edited by a moderator: Nov 29, 2014
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Hi lady and welcome to the forum.Thats quite a list of questions which is good.People need to ask before then know what they're getting into.,Many in this field have not ever drove a stick till they started trucking.I've heard its easier to train someone like that then comeone that does knows how to operate a stick.If you choose a school,find the one that has the longest course like 10 weeks rather then 3 to 5 weeks.Thats nothing more then a crash course to obtaining your CDL.Ask the school what their passing rate is.Some are 100% meaning they'll work with you until you pass. Companies don't allow drivers to keep porta potties in their trk.Of course you stop if you have to go,no reason to cause your bladder to burst.I would recommend not drinking a lot of liquids though.While in training,your trainer may get a tad bit mad if you stop too much.I have never got food poisoning,not saying it doesn't happen though.If you get sick by all means tell your trainer or if your solo tell your dispatcher so they can find someone to take your load.I don't know about the recent work history thing,it depends on the company.You're not going to be frowned on because you have kids,most the drivers have kids.But you will be required to stay out a month,can you handle being away from your kids 4 weeks and can they handle their mom being away?Normally local companies requires a yr otr exp before they'll hire.Not evert company has their own physical most just have the required DOT physical.Its very feasible to walk during your 10 hr brk.Just park it get out and walk afew times around the truckstop restarea or even while sitting at the dock.What I would do is buy paper plates plastic silverware rather then worrying about how to get these dirty dishes washed.I wish a tractor drove like a car.Semis slide a lot easier then cars and the weight of the snow and ice on your trk and trailer will not stop you from sliding.
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w.h.o Thanks this.
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On question # 7 .. I recall doing something similar plus walking up and down a ladder supposedly there as part of a test on flatbed work. the box was 80 lbs
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joseph1135 Thanks this.
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You don't have to be away from home and family weeks on end unless that's what you want.
Many companies have flexible work schedules or dedicated accounts with plentiful hometime options.
Drivers that complain about being gone for weeks at a time are in reality making that a choice but won't admit to it. Some don't really want lots of hometime due to unhappy situations or rocky marriage so they blame trucking. For some it's just easier to keep life simple and shift blame; just plod along and complain.
Look at options available such as LTL, dedicated accounts, flexible work schedules. All these are available to new CDL graduates.
Here's a few to research out of dozens :
Old Dominion - yes, this company hires new CDL graduates.
Schneider - dedicated accounts
Roehl Transport - flexible work schedules -
joseph1135 and w.h.o Thank this. -
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I know of a lady that drives with kids out of Chicago, her husband stay home with the kids.
How old are your children?
Where do you live?
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