Guess I need to give up my dream of getting my CDL

I have a hard time imagining there aren’t places to go who train in sticks. I respect your opinion on the matter but if push came to shove, an auto restriction probably won’t be a deal breaker and you could probably take a long vacation and do a refresher at a nearby votech and then remove the restriction.

 

Swift is a crap company but there school in Richmond, va is great. I have been driving for 2 yrs (not with them) with no accidents. I learned in 10 speed Volvo and 10 speed freightliner. I didnt take the job, I just acted like I was gonna until it was over then skipped out and I pay them 50/ month till I was paid off. They fed me and gave me a ride to and from thier school. I liked the school. Lasted about 4 weeks and what 'ya know, I got my cdl a!! Lol! Good luck!

 

You have three choices:

1) Start saving and pay for cdl school. Pick up a part time second job if necesaary .

2) Get trained thru a company, stary earning decent money, then rent a truck to test out in and get the restriction removed.

3) Wallow in self pity and keep eating dirt for the rest of your life.

 

Check with your local trade schools. They may have standards that they train on. Otherwise contact a local dirt contractor and see if they will let you get training hauling dirt. At least then you will be home nights and weekends. Then if you still want the joy of long haul you will only need to upgrade from Class B to A. Yet hopefully by then you will have something that many new drivers dont have. Miles and time behind the wheel.

 

With a 5 year old and no support system is OTR the right career move for you? What about getting hired as a dock worker at FedEx Freight, Saia or one of the other reputable LTL companies and then taking advantage of their dock to driver training program? They will train you to be a professional driver and pay you your dock wages while learning.

I know for a fact Saia still trains in manual transmissions, my brother is part of their safety team and drives line haul for them. This pays much better than traditional OTr and has the best chance of a dependable schedule for your kid.

Lastly, like others have said, the auto only restriction is not the death kneel, it does restrict who you can work for, but 70% of trucks today are autos anyhow. Plus, you can always retake the road test after you have some experience and get it removed if you get a job offer with a manual fleet. You aren't the first person to deal with this, trucking companies are used to it by now and have policies in place to help.

 

Come on - at least eat some popcorn first!