My Intentions, Challenges, and Desires

CV66GMG3 · Sep 2, 2022

Glad to be here. I'm almost 55, will be starting CDL-A training on 13 FEB 2023, and studying hard and listening to people in this field of work. I opted to take the five month path because it will give me a heavy dose of behind the wheel time.

Flatbed trucking is my path. It looks to be hard work in all kinds of weather. In other words, a challenge. People have told me I have no business doing "that kind of work" at my age. I disagree. I am a left leg below knee amputee with 36 years of experience of doing all kinds of physical work with this so-called "disability" and I refuse to lay down and take a desk job because of it. I consider myself in #### good shape for my age, and my DOT physical confirms it. I sent my DOT Skills Performance Evaluation package to the FMCSA field office in Atlanta two weeks ago. For those who have no idea what that is, it is a process for us that have amputations, or other impairments of our limbs. Another government hurdle to jump through. I'm pretty sure they are going to limit me to automatic transmissions, but I intend to train on the range in 10-speed transmissions. My road tests will probably have to be in an automatic tractor. I'm working with the school on this. I honestly don't know at this point what FMCSA will allow me to do.

Any advice is welcome. Some may say I need to run away from this and some may say I have no chance when I start working with flatbed companies. Physical challenges have kept me going for 36 years and gives me the drive to keep pushing myself. I can climb ladders, lift and carry heavy items, and pull myself up on the deck of the flatbed without ladders, steps, etc.

I do not consider myself disabled. I'm sure a lot of companies will and I'm willing to bet their insurance companies will play a hand in my hiring. Screw them. I'm highly motivated. Somebody is going to get a good employee with a good work ethic come August 2023.

Thank ya'll for the addition to the group. I look forward to learning.

Paul Miller
CV66GMG3@OUTLOOK.COM

Judge · Sep 2, 2022

@Chinatown

He’s still the trucking company knowledgeable guy.

And i once worked at a flatbed company with a guy below the knee amputee on left leg, and if you didn’t know him, you’d not have known.
So it is possible.

MOBee · Sep 2, 2022

CV66GMG3 said: ↑

Glad to be here. I'm almost 55, will be starting CDL-A training on 13 FEB 2023, and studying hard and listening to people in this field of work. I opted to take the five month path because it will give me a heavy dose of behind the wheel time.

Flatbed trucking is my path. It looks to be hard work in all kinds of weather. In other words, a challenge. People have told me I have no business doing "that kind of work" at my age. I disagree. I am a left leg below knee amputee with 36 years of experience of doing all kinds of physical work with this so-called "disability" and I refuse to lay down and take a desk job because of it. I consider myself in #### good shape for my age, and my DOT physical confirms it. I sent my DOT Skills Performance Evaluation package to the FMCSA field office in Atlanta two weeks ago. For those who have no idea what that is, it is a process for us that have amputations, or other impairments of our limbs. Another government hurdle to jump through. I'm pretty sure they are going to limit me to automatic transmissions, but I intend to train on the range in 10-speed transmissions. My road tests will probably have to be in an automatic tractor. I'm working with the school on this. I honestly don't know at this point what FMCSA will allow me to do.

Any advice is welcome. Some may say I need to run away from this and some may say I have no chance when I start working with flatbed companies. Physical challenges have kept me going for 36 years and gives me the drive to keep pushing myself. I can climb ladders, lift and carry heavy items, and pull myself up on the deck of the flatbed without ladders, steps, etc.

I do not consider myself disabled. I'm sure a lot of companies will and I'm willing to bet their insurance companies will play a hand in my hiring. Screw them. I'm highly motivated. Somebody is going to get a good employee with a good work ethic come August 2023.

Thank ya'll for the addition to the group. I look forward to learning.

Paul Miller
CV66GMG3@OUTLOOK.COM
Click to expand...

I have a friend who is in the same boat. He drives a manual transmission and runs a step deck and wouldn't have it any other way. Hang in there, it is possible.

REO6205 · Sep 2, 2022

CV66GMG3 said: ↑

Glad to be here. I'm almost 55, will be starting CDL-A training on 13 FEB 2023, and studying hard and listening to people in this field of work. I opted to take the five month path because it will give me a heavy dose of behind the wheel time.

Flatbed trucking is my path. It looks to be hard work in all kinds of weather. In other words, a challenge. People have told me I have no business doing "that kind of work" at my age. I disagree. I am a left leg below knee amputee with 36 years of experience of doing all kinds of physical work with this so-called "disability" and I refuse to lay down and take a desk job because of it. I consider myself in #### good shape for my age, and my DOT physical confirms it. I sent my DOT Skills Performance Evaluation package to the FMCSA field office in Atlanta two weeks ago. For those who have no idea what that is, it is a process for us that have amputations, or other impairments of our limbs. Another government hurdle to jump through. I'm pretty sure they are going to limit me to automatic transmissions, but I intend to train on the range in 10-speed transmissions. My road tests will probably have to be in an automatic tractor. I'm working with the school on this. I honestly don't know at this point what FMCSA will allow me to do.

Any advice is welcome. Some may say I need to run away from this and some may say I have no chance when I start working with flatbed companies. Physical challenges have kept me going for 36 years and gives me the drive to keep pushing myself. I can climb ladders, lift and carry heavy items, and pull myself up on the deck of the flatbed without ladders, steps, etc.

I do not consider myself disabled. I'm sure a lot of companies will and I'm willing to bet their insurance companies will play a hand in my hiring. Screw them. I'm highly motivated. Somebody is going to get a good employee with a good work ethic come August 2023.

Thank ya'll for the addition to the group. I look forward to learning.

Paul Miller
CV66GMG3@OUTLOOK.COM
Click to expand...

You have the right attitude. You can learn the rest. Keep us posted on how things are going for you.

lual · Sep 2, 2022

@CV66GMG3 --

A-N-Y advice is welcome?

Ok.....here goes.

Start off in dry van--& not flatbed.

Prove yourself there, first.

Do 2 years with pulling dry van--THEN switch over to flatbed.

The above isn't necessarily meant to insinuate that you can't learn flatbed, first.

And yes....backing up a spread-axle, open-deck trailer is indeed different from that in dry van.

The point here is....focus your first 2 years on learning how to drive a big rig.

Then later....add in all the other skill sets that flatbed requires--but after you've learned to drive on a CDL-A level.

You can indeed start off in flatbed.

It's just that the above is easier.

Much easier.

--Lual

kylefitzy · Sep 2, 2022

lual said: ↑

@CV66GMG3 --

A-N-Y advice is welcome?

Ok.....here goes.

Start off in dry van--& not flatbed.

Prove yourself there, first.

Do 2 years with pulling dry van--THEN switch over to flatbed.

The above isn't necessarily meant to insinuate that you can't learn flatbed, first.

And yes....backing up a spread-axle, open-deck trailer is indeed different from that in dry van.

The point here is....focus your first 2 years on learning how to drive a big rig.

Then later....add in all the other skill sets that flatbed requires--but after you've learned to drive on a CDL-A level.

You can indeed start off in flatbed.

It's just that the above is easier.

Much easier.

--Lual
Click to expand...

I’ll counter his post and say if you want to do open deck start there. I’ve never pulled a van, never went to school. On the job training and I was pulling a flat a week after I turned 21. Never looked back. Now I’m 31 and I have pulled a van maybe 1000 miles in my career.

No way I’d waste two years of my life dragging a box from warehouse to warehouse. Not my jam.

good luck.

Espressolane · Sep 2, 2022

A home location would be helpful.
Enough of know companies all over that could work for you.

CV66GMG3 · Sep 2, 2022

Espressolane said: ↑

A home location would be helpful.
Enough of know companies all over that could work for you.
Click to expand...

Southaven, MS. Right across the state line south of Memphis, TN

lester · Sep 2, 2022

I don't consider 55 to be to old to do anything. My old man is 72 and could out run me at my 41.

Lennythedriver · Sep 2, 2022

Pretty intense first post, but a great attitude. Lol you could always do like me, go dry van and just workout daily if you like to be physical. I managed to get in 3 to 5 miles of hiking/walking every day while I don’t have a full gym I do have dumbbells and a folding bench and I get a pretty decent workout in. Flat bed will definitely help keep you in shape. My big advise, learn to stay away from truckstop food and make and cook your own food. Will save a ton of money and be healthier.

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