Is getting a CDL Now a waste of time in this situation?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by clubberLang, Feb 4, 2020.

  1. Eddiec

    Eddiec Road Train Member

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    I am retired from the "job". Get the CDL.
     
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  3. Eddiec

    Eddiec Road Train Member

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    Yes. you have to show it as "on duty not driving"
     
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  4. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Yes. All hours worked at each employer "On duty"
     
  5. clubberLang

    clubberLang Bobtail Member

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    That changes everything.... If I work Fire. Mon,Thurs,Sunday = 72 hrs in 7 days
    Or Wed, Sat the next week= 48 hrs
    Third week in cycle is 48hrs again.......
    Might be smarter to just Find a second Job at an ambulance.... They don't care about hours worked.
     
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  6. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    I don't know.

    My last EMT confided a few things with me after we found some things in common when they shipped my Suspected RA (Rhematoid attack) that night.

    One of which managed to stick in my mind. Two parts. First how many people yelling OW get me ambulance NOW as if it's been some sort of major trauma and then coo all the way to the ER? And the other part is the one ambulance has airride for the hefty ones. The standard spring ride they used on me that night was welcome but when I counted those bad plates they just as soon leave off that rig for me.

    I don;t know if you have felt old time spring ride on bad 1962 type concrete plates. But in big vehicles that can be a special chamber of pain over time all it's own.
     
  7. clubberLang

    clubberLang Bobtail Member

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    Yes. Lot of taxi rides to the ER.... But better safe than sorry.
    As for air-ride rigs... Think only the big city has those anymore... Lots of maint costs. There also seems to be a switch from diesel back to gas... DEF/DPF causes a ton of expenses and down time. Haven't witnessed it yet, but being told Firetrucks will be exempt from DEF/ DPF.... Due to so many problems including trucks dropping out of pump gear at a fire, because it goes into Regen.
    I will probably have to wait until I retire from Fire to make the CDL worth it.
     
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  8. crzyjarmans

    crzyjarmans Road Train Member

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    I’d hold off on the CDL, until you’re closer to your retirement from the fire department, place the money in a interest bearing acc. And when the time comes, if you are still looking at the CDL, then great, go for it, But if it something you are going to use now, you can always find something driving, and thank you for your service!
     
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  9. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    That has to be beyond acceptable when big engine falls out on regen at a mission critical state. Lives depend on it.

    I wonder what might still be possible to find big block V8s with the smaller ram blowers to feed air enough to run the big engine pump at fires without the silly emissions crap?
     
  10. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    As to question, I lean towards finishing 6 years if at all possible. You probably stand to get a pension and so forth. Which will provide a foundation of stability in a feast and famine trucking industry job.
     
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