I got my CDL B, and I am so unhappy.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 2500HDRob, Oct 9, 2012.

  1. 2500HDRob

    2500HDRob Light Load Member

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  3. 2500HDRob

    2500HDRob Light Load Member

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    Thank you, I will check them out

    I may end up looking at private school again, it MAY be cheaper since I do have all the endorsements(tanker, passenger, airbrakes, gen knowledge etc) minus combo vehicle.

    I do hope my experience with the motor coaches help, because lets face it, they don't teach you on anything that big in school. The biggest class b vehicle we drove in school was a diesel pusher school bus and a 4 door "over the road" box truck. And I have had to take those motor coaches into some tight places.
     
  4. WideSkyND

    WideSkyND Light Load Member

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    Tend to disagree on going back, though see the upgrade discount as a possibility
    He'll have to technically retrain all over again once hired, about the only thing should have in hand is probably the CDL A permit.
     
  5. 2500HDRob

    2500HDRob Light Load Member

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    My concern with going with a company is their quality of training to get your CDL-A.
     
  6. WideSkyND

    WideSkyND Light Load Member

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    As to paying out of pocket for retraining,tend to disagree, unless in some blazing hurry,since once hired as a newbie technically speaking retraining begins all over again anyways. Get a yr in with the best carrier can get on with.Do not and I repeat do not panic and accept 1st,second or even 3rd offer from some sinking ship, pretty apparent who those all are, do your homework
    Whoops, kind of a repeat message here,sorry
     
  7. GAlanFink

    GAlanFink Medium Load Member

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    Although I had already completed my CDL 'A' with NETTTS (New England Tractor Trailer Training School) out of Philadelphia, PA, there had been a lull in my driving record of two months so, when C.R. England brought me aboard it was an excellent opportunity for them to claim I needed a refresher and to dip into my bank savings as much as they could (to the tune of $500 for the 'refresher' and later for bogus repairs on a bunk door that was fully functional - that was $700 I couldn't dispute because I'd left after 5 months of being promised home time).
    Frustration?... one person got to you?
    The Instructors at C.R.E. were a bunched up group of frazzled nerves, attitudes and short fuzes but they were still amazingly patient with what they were trying to train... rejects, dopers and bus drivers who drove automatics grinding through the gears. I don't think I could have tolerated what they did given the bunch of derelicts that came to that place out there in Indiana.
    I'm not going to recommend them to you, I'm not going to say one is better than the next either.
    For the most part, reading this forum will give you some idea of the personal horror stories any trucking outfit may put you through as a new driver or student.
    You might want to count your blessings and thank God Almighty that you averted a catastrophic disaster and found yourself with a Class 'B' but, for some reason, you think you failed. You didn't... you got saved !!!
    I can only speak for myself. I love what I'm doing and recently thought to retire after discovering my left eye was in need of cataract surgery. Knowing I wouldn't pass the next physical, I filed for retirement, got the cataract repaired (lens replaced) and, while sitting at home for a week recuperating, I realized how much I loved driving.
    My retirement application was cancelled (you can only do this once according to Soc. Sec. Admin) and I'm back on the road.
    I don't know if driving a reticulated combination vehicle is the reason or just my passion for driving. I have a college degree but I like 'being my own decision-maker' so to speak and 'dealing with the stresses of driving'.
    Best of luck in your efforts... do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life.

    Finally, don't sweat the small stuff. Instructors are like flies, they can annoy you or clean up the stink... it depends on your viewpoint.

    If what I say offends you, please try to get over it. Truckers have opinions and attitudes,... and I are one.
     
    2500HDRob and WideSkyND Thank this.
  8. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    i bet you didn't know that you don't need to go to school to get a commercial driver license.

    but since you already did it. just go take the test to make it a class A license.

    and if you let ONE guy into your head. how are you goin to cope with A BUNCH DISPATCHERS driving you up the wall. along with all the other love stuff that comes with being a trucker.


    ????????
     
  9. WideSkyND

    WideSkyND Light Load Member

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    Yep, CR was absolutely one of the supposed sinking ships I'd avoid, unfortunately england looks to be a cream puff compared to uh hem, some of the real villians. You might just possibly starve a bit at 1st off and on regardless of who you end up with. A yr or two truckin, naw you'll have the game down enough to know better. Then hit the oil fields, 6yrs from a newbie later and 500k+richer
     
  10. 2500HDRob

    2500HDRob Light Load Member

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    Appreciate the post, however it's a little different the first time you're banana docking a tractor trailer and having a cdl instructor giving you hell, on the very first time you did it. I have dealt with problem dispatchers as I drive motor coaches, been given crappy buses, bad moves and the like. I wouldn't compare the two.

    I did let him get to me, I am man enough to admit. I am also man enough to say I won't let it happen again, and that I WILL get my CDL - A.

    I am now interested in companies that offer CDL - A training, if you have any idea who would be good to look into, I would greatly appreciate it. :)
     
    Big Don Thanks this.
  11. WideSkyND

    WideSkyND Light Load Member

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    Certain states now require some sort of pre qualifying school program, with a completion certificate of some sorts
    WA me thinks is one
     
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