another noob

New to the site.
New to trucking as well.

i'm starting classes tomorrow actually at the local vo-tech.

Last year I had my class-A permit and drove a dump truck a few times for my former employer. I think I'm a little better prepared then most who start training, but there is still a lot of anxiety.

Namely getting into a good company.
There are recruiters who come to the school and talk to the classes. I've read through some of the "bad companies" and some of the "good companies" threads.

i guess I'll tell a little about myself.
I'm 28, I was working as a chemical applicator, I sprayed lawns with pesticides and fertilizer etc. In the winter I worked in snow removal. One of the few times I can't stand living in Minnesota. Last Thursday I worked 16 hours shoveling snow... When I'm not waist deep in snow, I love this state. Big football and Vikings fan. I'm watching the Packers/Cardinals wildcard game right now in total elation. (the packers are getting whooped on!)

Anyway, that's a brief introduction. The next few months are going to be interesting. This is definitely a year of change!

 

Thanks for the kind words. One of the instructors has been a family friend for 20 years. I've been picking his brain already. I asked him what his experience was, he said it would be easier to tell me what he HASN'T hauled, then what he has. He's was behind the wheel for over 50 years, and has been teaching for about 6 now.


crap, packers tied it up again!

 

1st day of class, and homework already!!

read 4 chapters and do the quiz at the end of each.
Sheesh!

 

The book is J. J. Keller's Tractor Trailer Driver Manual, 2nd edition.
The 2nd edition came out May of 2008. It's sold at my college's bookstore for $32.
I'm sure you can find it online for cheaper.

It's a hell of a book. Way more informative then the CDL book you can get from your local DMV.