Successfully leaving trucking permanently

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Joews, Apr 19, 2016.

  1. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    You don't need a current medical card to keep your CDL. Just self-certifying one of the options that says "no medical card required". Then if you ever want to do CDL work again, just get a medical card.
     
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  3. menatwork

    menatwork Bobtail Member

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    I was warned couple of years ago by my states dmv if I didn't keep a current medical card, they would pull my cdl and require I retake the test..written and driving. Another lesson learned..never rely on the company you work for to "self certify" you. Now I go and get the stamp in person. Imagine my surprise when I received a letter saying my cdl was suspended. I'll go ahead and pay $50 a year and keep that sucker current. (if I quit driving)
     
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  4. Rollover the Original

    Rollover the Original Road Train Member

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    I did the instructor route back in 96. I had to get out as my hair was jumping off everytime I had to do first time behind the wheel classes!
    Yes, it was great passing on knowledge but that was to much stress as I can't do teams!! If the wheel isn't in my hands I have a hard time not putting holes in the floorboards or pull the pillar post out of the car!

    I "retired"in 09 after 32 years from a cancer related tumor in the brain, but after living on SS and luckily on the high side of that pay scale from working all my life, its still not enough and the medical problems that kept me unable to do my job are gone or in the final stages of being taken care of!
    I'll be back hopefully the first of May!

    We had a great retirement saved but a major medical WILL destroy it even with the great medical insurance that I had.

    I had worked 39 years total, 32 of them behind the wheel. But what I make a month now is what I was bringing home as a trucker in a week total. I'm bored even while doing long runs in the RV, yes guys, I kept that promise of getting an RV and terrorizing 4 wheelers and its fun with no 800 number on the back! But retiring for me on these wages bites the big one and in not the burger flipper type!
    Now Ill have to ride with a "trainer" to learn how to be a trucker again!! ROFLMAO!! Just give me the Qualcomm instruction book, a PU number and address and let me go as I really don't want to have to teach a rookie called trainer how to navigate in reverse as I get to keep watching on YouTube!!That part of trucking never changed did it?? LOL!!

    Be certain you want to leave trucking after many years in the seat as most jobs ten bosses are worse than a dispatcher! A dispatcher you see how many times and can hang up or throw the keyboard across ten cab. That flesh and bone boss can call the cops!
    Social Security sucks!
    Retirement savings at today's costs of living can disappear faster than it did on paper!
    Research a new job thoroughly and yes be sure the spouse can handle you being home every day! Many have gotten used to you not there and divorce can follow. Mine left for a different reason. I didn't die as predicated by the doctors and me being home to much!

    Now to find a company that needs an old driver that doesn't need his hand held and does NYC multi day with multi drops! I don't need no truckstops in NYC!!
    CYall soon
    Blue Skys and Safe Journeys!
     
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  5. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    That is one thing I cannot do.

    Cut grass yea high. By the way don't damage the ground. EH?!
     
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  6. king v

    king v Light Load Member

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    Id like to look into that if you get it goin. 10 years in and I've always hated it and never really made any money so Ive always kind of lived on the road off and on.
     
  7. Rocknroller4

    Rocknroller4 Road Train Member

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    10 years in what? trucking?

    I'd start my own landscaping business but unfortunately I suffer bad allergies and asthma. Cut grass is a big problem for me. I was allergy tested in my teens and that was the worst one. Thunderstorms/stuffy air and allergens is when it becomes very scary. Why AC is important when the weather gets that bad.
     
    king v Thanks this.
  8. king v

    king v Light Load Member

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    Jun 21, 2015
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