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New Career ... From the beginning.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Markus, Nov 10, 2011.

Page 15 of 54
  1. Dec 21, 2011 #141
    Markus

    Markus Guest

    285
    236
    Sep 26, 2011
    Westmoreland, NY
    0
    Near Hazelton, PA
    Truckstop. Bowl of Chili, my waitress can't be more than 17...she calls me "honey". There's a couple of drivers sitting in front of me and they both must go well over 400 pounds....my waitress calls them honey too.
     
    Markus, Dec 21, 2011
    Markus, Dec 21, 2011
    #141
    Wedge Thanks this.
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  3. Dec 21, 2011 #142
    mickeyrat

    mickeyrat Road Train Member

    7,859
    7,542
    Nov 24, 2011
    on my 30 min break
    0
    Good deal man!! As for needing to possibly get to your truck, I've read other posts by SNI guys that state they rented them a car to go states away to get their truck.

    FYI, I started a thread on the schneider DAC report forum specific to NE drivers. info clearinghouse is what I hope it to be. Please contribute there as well.
     
    mickeyrat, Dec 21, 2011
    mickeyrat, Dec 21, 2011
    #142
  4. Dec 21, 2011 #143
    klrAlaska

    klrAlaska Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Dec 21, 2011
    Eagle River,Alaska
    0
    Markus,

    Well your story has reached Alaska and i enjoyed it very much.I am 54 years old and always wanted to be a Truck Driver but got involved in the Automotive business in the service department 28 long years.I finally packed it in and resigned from the company i was working for last week.I plan to follow my dream and try to get in CDL school here in Alaska after the holidays.Your story Really made my decision that we are never to old to be a OTR driver.Thanks and look forward to your follow up post.
    Be safe and have fun...
     
    klrAlaska, Dec 21, 2011
    klrAlaska, Dec 21, 2011
    #143
  5. Dec 22, 2011 #144
    chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

    5,653
    3,485
    Jun 21, 2008
    Deland, FL
    0
    #### Markus, you should have been a writer not a truck driver. I was reading this and instantly found myself at a truck stop in Pa!

    Let the gladhands be a lesson. Every winter you should carry extra airlines and glad hands because they get really brittle from the cold and road salt and break easily. Remember that for next year!

    Also Congrats man! You're almost there! You will most likely have pretty good time with your trainer, don't be afraid to ask any questions. Use this time to benefit you, not him! If for any reason things aren't working out or he isn't properly training you then speak up and get it taken care of.

    Drive safe man and have a Merry Xmas!
     
    chompi, Dec 22, 2011
    chompi, Dec 22, 2011
    #144
    sammycat, Wedge and Markus Thank this.
  7. Dec 22, 2011 #145
    La Pine Ron

    La Pine Ron Bobtail Member

    36
    3
    Dec 22, 2011
    La Pine, Or
    0
    Good afternoon Markus, what a great Blog you have going hear. Like you, I spent years in the Retail business (actually ran our distribution/transportation division) been out of the game for about 6 years, have sent out hundreds of resumes and no one wants to talk to you if your over 50. So, hear I am, 56 years old, looking into a new career, and like you, am considering attending a local accredited Truck driving school. Your thread has been most interesting to read, and I plan to check in daily to see how your doing. Seems you have picked a good company to go with.
    Best of luck to you, I'll be praying for your success as you move forward with your new career.
    La Pine Ron
     
    La Pine Ron, Dec 22, 2011
    La Pine Ron, Dec 22, 2011
    #145
    Markus Thanks this.
  8. Dec 22, 2011 #146
    Markus

    Markus Guest

    285
    236
    Sep 26, 2011
    Westmoreland, NY
    0
    First the bad news....we're sitting in a Home Depot DC...just delivered a load of Owens Corning insulation...we were hooking up to and empty, when my TE noticed some oil seepage coming from one of the drive wheels....shoot! Well, that's not the words he used..think of a four letter word that starts with a F....you got it. Schneider says we can't move the truck...it needs to be towed. The security here at Home Depot says... We can't park it here....we're running out of hours we can work...tow truck can't get here for 3 hours.

    Good News? I've learned a heck of a lot these past 10 days...my driving skills...while still rough are improving exponentially and I successfully backed our load into a pretty tight spot with only 2 pull ups. I am going to really like this job...I tend to be somewhat introverted...so time with anyone 24/7 is taxing on my state of mind...so, while this period of training is stressful...I can look forward to a time in the near future, when I'll have a truck assigned to only me....I can set my radio to Glenn Beck or Rush....and enjoy the job.
     
    Markus, Dec 22, 2011
    Markus, Dec 22, 2011
    #146
    Wedge Thanks this.
  9. Dec 22, 2011 #147
    Markus

    Markus Guest

    285
    236
    Sep 26, 2011
    Westmoreland, NY
    0
    Let me take this opportunity to talk about something that nobody talks about...but is in the front of every students mind....that's the constant fear that you will fail. As men over 50...our employment options are not plentiful...we have made commitments and have obligations...life isn't nearly as simple as it was when we were 21. So, here we are...putting our dignity on the line. We're being schooled by guys who are young enough to have played with our kids. And, they've got an attitude...when they got this authority to teach, they must have also inherited arrogance and a swelled head.
    Changing careers means you have to be willing to give up the security of the skills you've acquired ....and be open to knowing nothing. It either takes self discipline, or putting yourself in a position of being discipline....knowing that this is what it will take to make a new start. Humility may be the most important element for us old guys to have in this process. Pride can make you feel like a man....but be the reason you don't finish the process. Like winning the battle...loosing the war.
    But, this terror I mentioned can be very real. In our class of newbies at Schneider there were 10 at the start. 3 of us are 50 plus.... 2 guys washed out....they didn't get hired by SNI ... One of the washouts was over 50. He was scared to death from the very start. He got "yelled at" by one of the trainers... We were all nervous that one mistake...and we'd be sent home...no bus fare..humiliated. It's hard to do your best when one false move can send you packing.
    But....But....the good news is that with every victory comes satisfaction and renewed self confidence. This whole thing can be very cathartic for rehabbing an old man's self esteem.
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2011
    Markus, Dec 22, 2011
    Markus, Dec 22, 2011
    #147
    mileagemax, Wedge, OPH2015 and 5 others Thank this.
  10. Dec 22, 2011 #148
    sammycat

    sammycat "Oldest Hijackerette"

    3,150
    4,438
    Apr 11, 2010
    Rochester, NY
    0
    Markus
    I have to agree with Chompi-you should have been a writer! Your posts are great to read! And for a newbie in THIS field remember you bring YEARS of experience from your previous career and LIFE in GENERAL!!!!!

    Continued good luck!!!!
     
    sammycat, Dec 22, 2011
    sammycat, Dec 22, 2011
    #148
    Wedge Thanks this.
  11. Dec 22, 2011 #149
    Markus

    Markus Guest

    285
    236
    Sep 26, 2011
    Westmoreland, NY
    0
    Ahhhh Geeeeee.
     
    Markus, Dec 22, 2011
    Markus, Dec 22, 2011
    #149
  12. Dec 22, 2011 #150
    Rjames

    Rjames Bobtail Member

    14
    1
    Nov 14, 2011
    New York
    0
    I am very happy for you Mark. I always figured that you would get threw the crap at school. Glad that you are enjoying your new career. I just hope you dont disappear from the forum. Keep us posted as you are an inspiration to alot of us. Glad I got to meet you personally threw school. Oh, BTW, Thank you for coming back to wish me luck on my road test. I really do appreciate that!! I know you will take your great personality with you on the open road and will become a great driver. I just hope to be the kind of driver that I know you will become. Take care Mark!!!
     
    Rjames, Dec 22, 2011
    Rjames, Dec 22, 2011
    #150
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