all advice, opinions welcome

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by ratfinkface, Jun 30, 2011.

  1. Jun 30, 2011 #1
    ratfinkface

    ratfinkface Bobtail Member

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    Jun 30, 2011
    laurel,ms
    0
    hey yall, i am 22 yrs. old and i am trying to get into the trucking industry. a little background- my mother's umbilical cord got wrapped around my left hand before i was born, restricting blood flow so it didn't fully develop. i have a left arm, but my hand isn't fully developed. it looks kinda like a baby hand. anyways that is what i have been having trouble with, i live in laurel, ms and i went to a truck driving institute to talk to them last week. the guy there told me there would be no point in me trying to do this because noone would ever hire me, so i researched some and found what is called a spe-specialized performance evaluation. he didn't even mention that, he was kind of a D*** and i wish he wouldn't have been like that because i could use the training for when i get ready to get my cdl. anyways i called the hattiesburg cdl office today and they referred me to the jackson one, called them and they referred me to a lady in georgia, Mrs. Otis. i left her a message so hopefully she will be getting back with me pretty soon and i don't know how that works but i hope i don't have to drive to georgia for the spe. what do yall think about this? will i be able to get my cdl? i have a baby boy on the way and i need this more than anything in the world.
     
    ratfinkface, Jun 30, 2011
    ratfinkface, Jun 30, 2011
    #1
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  3. Jun 30, 2011 #2
    lil may

    lil may Road Train Member

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    May 25, 2009
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    Best of Luck and Welcome to the forum
     
    lil may, Jun 30, 2011
    lil may, Jun 30, 2011
    #2
  4. Jun 30, 2011 #3
    d o g

    d o g Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Texas
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    Welcome to TTR. Read up on the ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act - and see if there's something in there that will help you:

    http://www.ada.gov/

    Good luck!
     
    d o g, Jun 30, 2011
    d o g, Jun 30, 2011
    #3
  5. Jun 30, 2011 #4
    Big Rigg

    Big Rigg Medium Load Member

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    Jun 14, 2011
    Corona, CA
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    Yes you can get a specialized performance evaluation in order to get your CDL. They will test to see if you can hold the steering wheel firmly with your left hand. As long as you have enough grip in your left hand to control the truck they will probably let you get your CDL. With that being said the problem you may run into is not with getting a CDL but actually geting a job where you can use it. More often then not insurance companies now dictate the hiring process and they find ways to rule out people who may be a risk, wether they are or not. Before getting your CDL I would look into companies and see if you can actually get a driving job before you go to training. Make sure you get something firm in writting otherwise you may just be wasting your time and money. Best of luck to you.
     
    Big Rigg, Jun 30, 2011
    Big Rigg, Jun 30, 2011
    #4
  7. Jun 30, 2011 #5
    Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    Let me check my logbook
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    Welcome to the party!
     
    Lilbit, Jun 30, 2011
    Lilbit, Jun 30, 2011
    #5
  8. Jun 30, 2011 #6
    Nita E

    Nita E Bobtail Member

    13
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    Jun 14, 2011
    Tyler, TX
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    Best of luck on your journey.
     
    Nita E, Jun 30, 2011
    Nita E, Jun 30, 2011
    #6
  9. Jul 1, 2011 #7
    TakenPictures_OTR

    TakenPictures_OTR Light Load Member

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    Jun 25, 2011
    S.F. Bay Area, CA
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    Don't give up Dude! If this is what you want to do, do it! If you can hold a steering wheel with your left hand it should not be a problem. There has to be a company out there that will not discriminate against you. I saw some videos on youtube of some dude driving with a fake arm with a clamp for a hand. That dude at the trucking school sounds like a first class douchbag, don't let him get you down. Stay strong and follow your dreams!
     
    TakenPictures_OTR, Jul 1, 2011
    TakenPictures_OTR, Jul 1, 2011
    #7
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