Approved for truck driving academy. Getting cold feet

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by CK73, Dec 19, 2017.

  1. CK73

    CK73 Medium Load Member

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    I don't know if it's allowed to do this, but here's a link to the largest 3rd party Uber forum site that specifically discusses, "What it used to be like?" driving Uber vs. how it is NOW. It can probably answer your questions about Uber better then I can. I'm a very active member over there, and had a featured thread, which was actually quite an honor. This isn't that thread though, it's about how bad Uber sucks now and how pretty much all the drivers hate the gig these days.

    What Did It USED To Be Like?
     
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  3. CK73

    CK73 Medium Load Member

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    Don't shoot me, but I decided on going paid company training with Swift. Mostly because the academy is within driving distance of home, but also because despite all of the negative posts I have read, their training program *seems* to be one of the best in the world.

    This after reading thousands of posts, and considering OTR since August. I want the first year or two under the belt, and don't want to look like a job hopper, which I already do with my former career. Already approved and ready to go mid-January. The hotel looks nice, and if I need or want to, the house is only about an hour away. So yeah, Swift. REEFER. They already have me lined up to do mostly Wal-Mart and Target loads, even though I haven't even got the permit or passed the DOT physical LOL. That's how short handed they are in REEFER, they even pay for the hotel to help study for the permit, and prepare for the physical now, where recently you had to do all of that on your own prior to starting academy. That's how desperate they are for drivers I suppose. Hell I dunno, when I go on vacation I prefer all-inclusive, that's what Swift sounds like at the moment.
     
  4. CK73

    CK73 Medium Load Member

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    This post was really inspiring for me, thanks! I'm early forties myself, the fact that you are a lady and took to it so well, is inspiring.
     
    Bob Dobalina and Just passing by Thank this.
  5. 1278PA

    1278PA Road Train Member

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    Go for it. It was nerve racking for me to up and leave and drive 1000 miles to trucking school in my 20 year old vehicle wondering if I was.making the right.choice and if my old truck would make it too. Maxed out credit cards just to get buy all.month and to pay for the gas to school and tolls alone close to $300 one way. Here we are now a month later I'm back home in my home state with a CDL in hand and going on phase 2 after Christmas with a driver trainer.

    It's scary but an exciting scary if that makes sense.
     
    morpheus, CK73 and Just passing by Thank this.
  6. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    You'll do fine.I had cold feet too but once I got in the truck with my trainer it all disappeared almost instantly.Maybe cause I had a good trainer.He was a slob but a good trainer.After a couple weeks with him I turned him into a neat freak and better hygiene lol.
     
    Texas_hwy_287, 1278PA, CK73 and 2 others Thank this.
  7. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    That means you are rejoicing in battle. You will be fine. If you are going out, do it happy with the boots on LOL.
     
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  8. Rocknroller4

    Rocknroller4 Road Train Member

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    I did the same exact thing. Looked at all the worst case scenarios and it's done nothing but hold me back from starting. Since I have certain health issues it was something I had to think long and hard about. I wouldn't want to be stuck in a snow storm out in the middle of nowhere during any asthma issues.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2017
  9. NewbiusErectus

    NewbiusErectus Medium Load Member

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    I'd go for it.

    I kind of had that feeling of dread when I was getting ready to jump. Was in a decent computer related field,, until wages started to drop and I was jumping from one sinking ship to another.

    I'm pretty happy in the new digs. Spent a year OTR (tanker), then another few years sorta OTR (out and back tanker loads, home weekends, three nights in the truck avg).

    And now over the past few years, I've had an easy home every night job, about 50 hr/wk avg, good income and benefits.

    There's lots of unhappy drivers and a few happy drivers. Talk to the latter,, the ones who make good money, the ones who like their job. Pick their brain. You'll figure out why many hate it, and why some like it.

    Good luck!
     
    CK73 and Just passing by Thank this.
  10. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Page 35 to 36 or so on this PDF will clearly define the limits of asthma qual. I would think you want to be in Arizona rather than Idaho in winter, it might save your life not being so cold.

    https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/pulmonary1.pdf
     
    Rocknroller4 Thanks this.
  11. Rocknroller4

    Rocknroller4 Road Train Member

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    Thank you x1heavy. Well I think my issue might have to be due to the fact I live with a smoker and it causes a hoarse, gluey throat and sometimes I'll start coughing and choking because it's so irritated that when I swallow food it will trigger the cough. That and the post nasal allergy from the secondhand smoke. Which is why I want to give trucking a chance to move out of this situation. I thought maybe if I sign up with Schneider I could go to Phoenix and see if getting away from the smoke and being in the desert would clear it all up.
     
    x1Heavy Thanks this.
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