Well I'm quitting school tomorrow, if you're considering trucking read this

Yes, I'm a felon. I'm also missing my left hand. I've Passed the state cdl test, then had to take a test with a federal tester because I'm "handicapped". I've also raced motercycles at Road America. My point to you is if you give up, you will never know what you could have done.

 

Opi,
I bowed out of your threads quite a while ago but I'm going to put my two cents in again. (I'm sure you are just thrilled )

(Those of you new to Opi might want to look at his earlier threads )

You are very young and impatient. If you took the time to read the thousands of posts around here you would find out that MANY people have "dreamed" of driving a truck.

However, unlike you, most of us knew that it was not the best choice for us when we were younger. Some of us had young families, some of us made legal mistakes, some of us had health problems, some of us couldn’t afford the training, the list goes on….. What we all did had/have in common is that we went on with our lives, chose jobs and careers that worked for us at the time and hoped that some day we might get a chance to at least try driving a truck.

You are upset because "the trucking world" will not let you drive a truck. The trucking industry did not make new rules when you arrived. It is what it is. Apparently you just decided that even though you didn't meet the qualifications for driving a truck ....... the mere fact that you WANTED to drive was all that mattered.

I am not trying to be rude, how do I say this.... but you are not the most patient and calm young man in the world..... you admit to having anger management issues, have a felony, a reckless driving ticket, and a medical condition that is usually a physical disqualification. Have you ever heard the term "setting yourself up for failure?"


I know you don't want to hear any ideas other than actually driving...... but if you really love trucks that much...... have you considered being a mechanic, a dispatcher, an "after market installer" of some kind, a salesman ...... or anything else that would allow you to still be around the trucks? Be creative……. Take some business classes and run your own truck company (please start small… water trucks something like that), or even a truck stop…. you could invent something to make a truckers life easier……….. or, heaven forbid, get a decent job with good benefits and regular hours?

Well, that is certainly more than “two cents” so I wish you well Opi.

 

Opi,

I went to school with a lot of nice smart people with no felonies. Many of them graduated from law school and couldn't believe they couldn't get jobs. So many of them started their own business. Now, years later, many of the people who got great jobs right out of school work for the people who had to start their own business. There is always a way. It may not be the easy way in the short run, but it may prove most lucrative in the long run.

We live in a world that worships posessions. It is certainly hard to be young and poor but work hard. The government does not prevent you from getting a CDL just because you have a felony. That only matters to the Hazmat side of things. If you were to drive a truck you'd make about 8 bucks an hour mean average. You'd work 98 hours per week. So go get two or three jobs that pay 8 bucks an hour and you'll make just as much money. Then a couple times a year take your weeks vacation and rent an RV and go drive whereever you want and see the country. You'll have more fun, make as much money, and get to sleep with your significant other more than 20 nights per year.

Best,

BRI

 

Opi,
You make me say things that make me feel old....

But I cannot resist..........

How "extensive" of a background could you possibly have at 23????

 

Hey man, looks to me that you are giving in on yourself. Finish school. That is one more thing to add to the resume. Second, keep your head up. Everyone in life has their own callings, if trucking is going to be yours, you will find a way.
Might be out of line here, but no matter what your circumstances are, you don't always have to start out with the large companies. Try running for some farmers or local distributors. Class A or Class B.. Experience is always looked upon highly. Get the reputation, then take it to the companies.
Good luck man.
Justin

 

Opi,

While I definitely laud your attempts to pursue your passion, I think Storyteller is right. Driving is almost certainly not in your future. Between your medical condition and your past actions, I think the chances are somewhere between slim and none - leaning toward the 'none' side of the equation.

As he pointed out, the industry is governed by rules - established by the federal government. These rules have been around for years. You MIGHT be able to get a waiver on one, but on more than one, I really, really doubt it.

Lest you think I'm not sympathetic - it's been a dream all my life to be a locomotive engineer. When I started looking into actually making it happen, though, I found that you MUST have excellent color vision. I don't. I have a red/green deficiency that makes distant lights appear white.

Ergo, no driving a train for me (I may still get my certificate, but it would be for me, not for a job).

Trucking isn't a passion for me the way trains are, but it's a reasonable second choice. If I can save up some money in the next 5 years or so, I may take some of Storyteller's advice...

I really like his suggestion that starting a business might be a good idea. (I rather like the 'start a truck stop' one - there aren't enough of those around, after all. One more, properly sited, could make oodles)

Starting a business is VERY hard work. Especially if you bootstrap it the way my partner and I did. (no outside money) - but it can be insanely rewarding. And, since you set the rules, you get to hire yourself