just when you think you're on the right path.

Beware: I''m about to whine.

So I've wanted to get my CDL for some time.

I was a Firefighter Paramedic for 15 years.

I've been fighting for the past 6 years trying to get that career/life back.

I have metal in my back that my employer and their phalanx of attorneys contend could fail catastrophically during a fire or a rescue. That failure could cause me to immediately become immobile, turning me from a rescuer into a 250 lb dead weight that now needs to also be rescued.

I and my bargain basement attorney contend that I, or any other firefighter, could suffer a massive and immediate heart attack that would result in another 250 lb dead weight requiring rescue. This happens every day.

Or we 250 lb'ers could suffer a stroke, a broken leg.....and so on.


I lost that argument, and that career.

Fast forward until just about now.

I have been applying for funding for CDL training for three years via the Workforce Investment Act.

In September I was finally approved and was awarded their "career scholarship".

The only remaining thing I needed to do was get a copy of my Driver's Abstract which is a printout of my driving record.

In the past 4 years I have received two citations.

One for an expired registration, one for no insurance.

Well, I updated my registration and got auto insurance. All I had to do was pay the fines and I would have a clean record.

I couldn't pay the fines so the court supervision was cancelled and the tickets were now back on my record.
Still can't pay the fines.

When I turned in my Drivers Abstract with all that stuff on it, I was no longer eligible for CDL funding.

The only way I can now get the class funded is by supplying an 'intent to hire' letter from a trucking employer, meaning I have to have a CDL job lined up BEFORE I take the class.

Thought I was finally getting things back on track but thanks to my irresponsibility I'm back to square one.

What really stinks is that I live in Elwood, Illinois. The little town has two brand new huge intermodal inland rail ports. The largest in the country.
There are literally hundreds of trucking jobs available around here.

Seems like every week another distribution warehouse owned by another huge corporation is built around here.

You should go to google maps and enter Elwood, Illinois and check out how big these sprawling operations really are.

Sorry to bother you guys but I guess I'm hoping one of you will have an idea of how to get myself into that class and into a truck.

Thanks
Rick