Am I crazy?

hear that. motorcycle wreck yr ago did a minor number on my left knee.

Had to retire my last sporty car because the low seat height was causing the knee to act up, popping uncomfortably with every push of the clutch.

Truck I replaced it with doesn't give me that trouble.

If those e-shift trans on the Maverick trucks are anything like the VW/Audi/Porsche DSG transmission that came out about a year ago, I might be tolerant of it.

The DSG is a fully-synchronized computer-controlled manual gearbox. It's a little more complicated than just that, though, because it uses two clutches and two input shafts (concentric or coaxial) that in turn drive two separate mainshafts in the transmission, one with all the even number gears and another with all the odd number gears. As you upshift or downshift, the next gear is already engaged before you command the shift, so all that has to happen is one clutch disengage, computer alters rpm precisely and appropriately for whether it's up or down shift, and the other clutch engages. The logic is the same as a traditional automatic, except this is more like two manual transmissions that function as one, because the computer is actually pushing gearsets around in the transmission with shift forks rather than using clutch packs to activate planetary gearsets.

(Yah, I did mention I used to be a mechanic, right?)

 

So, this evening while searching the web for CDL schools in the area, I come across a site which on every page lists what their facility's address is. None the less, they have a specific location on the site which gives a map and offers directions to the facility via various landmarks.

To be honest, I haven't really paid enough attention to notice this on any other school's website... however when I came to the realization my thoughts were:

"Should it scare me as to the initial competency level of my average classmate, or -horror- my trainer, if a school must offer landmark-based turn-by-turn directions with a not-to-scale map of the area?"

Additionally, it's hit me like a ton of bricks- when they say "No experience required" They really mean NO EXPERIENCE AT ALL, NOT EVEN 4-WHEELER!?

Yet I also know that I have much to learn, despite my experience.

 

Played hooky from the office job today so I could drive 8 hours, 466 miles, thru 3 states.

Dallas -> I20 Shreveport, 71 -> Texarkana, I30 -> Dallas.

Pointless little trip but it gave me time to think about my situation and how much I will enjoy life on the road.

 

See, that would seriously cause me some anxiety...

There are very few people in this world who I do NOT get anxious if I'm in the vehicle while they're driving.

Honestly, I think this has a lot to do with why I've waited so long to get into the industry, because A) I really don't want to be in the cab when a fellow student does something that kills someone (or COULD kill someone), and B) I really don't think I'll be able to sleep during my OTR Training unless my mentor is actually a good driver.

Found a school in Mount Pleasant (110 mi from the house) that offers 10 weekend training, 10 hours a day 2 days a week for 200 hours total. The price is $2800.

Now I'll be the first to admit I am not a "Morning Person" although these last several weeks I find myself waking earlier and earlier regardless of when I went to bed. These sessions are 7:30a-5:30p, and figure 2 hours travel each way each day, that's going to be 28 hours per weekend, or 280 hours after the total program. It means getting up at like 4am so I can be on the road no later than about 5am so I can be there no later than 7am. Time management, you drivers call this. The drive home is no issue, it's the getting up early...

If there is no closer school, then I must decide whether I want to spend about $650 overall for the cost of fuel to drive round trip twice per weekend for 10 weeks (assuming avg 23 mpg in my 4-cyl truck, may be more or less), or I can stay in the Super 8 in town there for about $58/night. So either I can force myself out of bed at 4am Saturdays and drive two hours, class 10 hours, then stay overnight, or roll in after work on Friday and stay 2 nights. The overall costs for those two scenarios would be about $925 or $1525 depending on 1 or 2 nights stay. MAYBE I can work a discount with the hotel manager for the whole 10 week thing, but that just seems highly unlikely.

So... this really means my education will cost me up to $4400, not including physical/drug screening... unless that's included by the school, which I don't know yet.

Or... I could save as many dollars as possible between now and "when I get out of here" and use that money to not only pay for school in San Antonio (where I have family, and where I hope to "home base" from once I go OTR) but also to ensure that I can meet any remaining financial commitments at that time and until my new employer is actually paying me enough to meet those commitments. (FYI, those commitments will be about $650/mo.. but I'm paranoid about my impeccable credit record)

food for thought... and I'm hungry!

 

Well howdy, neighbor...

Seen an old white daycab with a short trailer with red lettering on the NB side of I35E near Lewisville. Writing suggests one can inexpensively rent said truck to obtain a CDL. Not sure if that's similar to what you're saying here.

I'll take another look at C-1, I saw their listing online.