Get Trucking Again - Getting a CDL ... again, and Rejoining the Gearjammers

Wow!my story is similar and just as heart wrenching.best of luck to you.i go to swifts orientation in aug with the hopes of turning this bad really bad luck around to provide for my family and obtain some promising future.

 

JP, I have to be completely honest, when I was driving for Stevens back in 08 I went to a chicken processing plant (electrocution station) in Mississippi and the smell there is pleasant by comparison.

This small fact makes my decision to get back into trucking that much easier.

 

nckid,

Feel free to share with the class if you want. There are more of us out here than we realize. And please keep us updated on your experience as you go along. I'll do the same.

 

The next hurdle...

When I was driving back in '08 it wasn't required to have a passport to go into Canada or Mexico. It seems times have changed and it is now. I knew this, but I am sure that there are those that don't.

Getting a passport is rather uncomplicated providing you have all the necessary documentation ... and a good passport photo.

From what I understand, most trucking companies are starting to require passports for their drivers, and some are requiring TWIC cards. Gratefully both are acquirable before you sign on with a company.

A passport could run upwards of $200.00 depending on how you get the photo done. For those in a real hurry there are services that will expedite the process, but that can cost anywhere from $99 to $500 depending on how desperate you are to get it and how soon you need it. If you got through usual channels it will take from 4 to 6 weeks to get your passport.

TWIC cards (TSA Services) take approximately the same amount of time and cost around $150.

Since I have a target date to start training of November 1, 2011 I'll need to have the process well underway on or about September 1, 2011.

For an additional update, I have noticed that a local driving school (NETTTS) has been added to the approved schools for Crete. I have always been interested in working for Crete, so this is an additional consideration for November. But, since funds are limited ... and the credit is, well, let's just say that a foreclosure torpedoed that boat a couple of years ago ... I'm not sure if NETTTS is a viable option and I may still be looking at company sponsored training.

That's it for now ... thanks for reading along.

 

The office at Hyannis Harbor, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I'm giving up the sunrises and the view to go back on the road. Am I sick or what?

 

Man I know just where you are coming from. Been a long few years here with the economy taking a nose dive. I just shut down both of my businesses the 2nd of July after I was in a bad car accident.

I am going to be hitting the road again as well as soon as the insurance settles up.

I wish you the best of luck, maybe see you out there.

 

Are there no sword boats up there you could get on with? At least you wouldn't have to clean the ladies room. I can't believe it's such a pita to transfer a cdl. I know sometimes it seems like you just can't get a #### break. I'm there now. I know you'll make it work at Swift. A good attitude and a strong work ethic goes a long way. Good luck man. I'll be following along and pulling for you every step of the way.

 

Wow, that's really unfortunate regarding transferring your ME CDL, to a Mass CDL.

Being born and raised in Massachusetts myself, I know what a headache living in this state can be; it seems this state makes EVERYTHING (licensing, permits, fees, etc.) more difficult, which sucks even more when you're going through tough times.

Although one of the reasons why tranferring an out of state CDL to a Massachusetts CDL was so difficult because, atleast in the past, Massachusetts required a much more involved (pre-trip, air brakes, straight backing, parallel parking both sides; and offset alley dock, road test) CMV test than many states; as far back as 2000. New Hampshire at that time, only required: pre-trip, air brakes, straight line backing)...

In anycase, hope things get better for you.

 

Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

U4EA: The CDL school that I went to, and the state of Maine, adopted the Massachusetts requirements. As far as I can tell the problem with Mass is the elitist attitudes at the State House. It seems that Mass has to be more overlord-ish than any other state or they're not happy.

But things will get better ... I truly believe that ... mostly because they can't seem to get much worse. When your cheek is pressed against the bottom of the barrel there's really only one way to go if you can stand back up.

And you're right, attitude is everything.

zebcohobo: Love the name BTW.

Sword boats are mostly out of Gloucester, but to be completely honest ... while being away from home for a month at a time isn't an issue, spending time in a survival suit floating around the north Atlantic in October isn't particularly attractive. I'm a recreational fisherman by nature ... I'll leave that to the professionals. Plus, and mind you I have nothing but the highest respect for Commercial Fishermen, it seems to be a lot more physical work than my old frame can handle at this point.

Driving is one of my true passions. From the Cascades to the Sierras to the Adirondacks, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of Maine to Baha California I love driving in this country. There's only one place that I dread while driving a truck ... the greater New Jersey / New York / Connecticut metro area. But hunts point is not as distressing as many believe. Just sayin'.

MrBeast: Thanks for your well wishes, I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery from your accident.

 

HURRICANE IRENE update...

As many of you know I live on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. But, my friends, if you find yourself in New England or New Jersey or New York (Hunts Point, etc...) please stay alert. If you are directly in the path of the Hurricane and are parked give some thought about how you're parked. It is not unheard of to wake up after a storm like this and have a brand new opaque windshield. If you're facing into the prevailing winds, consider turning the truck around 180 and letting the back doors of the trailer take the brunt of Irene's wrath. Also, stay vigilant and stay in the sleeper. There is no load important enough to drive during a hurricane. Safety first people, please.

That said, my job requires me to sit here overnight, waiting on Irene sitting behind plywood windows. I am going to attempt to make a video for youTube about the progress of the storm. There are two specific weather models that have Irene headed ENE in a few hours and making landfall in the Cape Cod area. If you're anywhere near the storm and are still driving, find a place to park (and if your reading TTR while your driving ... well ). The heavy rains precede the storm by hours. She's a huge storm and the interior pressure is still dropping, so there is the potential for Irene to strengthen in the morning.

Good luck all. I'll be here watching the boats.