paramedic going truck driver

Hey man,

I'm a paramedic, too. I'm pretty much done with EMS and headed back into trucking. I like running out and helping folks, but I'm finished with dealing with the psychotic nature of fellow medics and administrative personell, lol. It was a good experience. I learned alot about myself and others, but I'm done. At least in a truck I'll have the solitude that I enjoy most. Just have to deal with the psychotic dispatchers, shippers, and receivers then.

Anywho, from everything that I can gather, if you have no recent driving experience they pretty much look at you as if you have no experience at all. Might be best to find a refresher course if you still have your CDL. I'm just going to go and take the whole course over again just because it's been a few years since I've driven a Class VIII vehicle. It'll be good to get aquainted with the new Hours of Service rules and the other changes to the industry.

I drove for Schneider before I leased a truck to them. They treated me very well. I applied with them again recently, and they sent me a letter that basically stated that I did not meet their requirements even with 2 years driving experience. No recent time behind the wheel.

Looks like once you have completed a school or refresher it makes you a bit more attractive to whatever company you're looking at simply because you do have some old driving experience.

Good luck to ya!

**Edit: Hell, didn't see that they just want you to go out with a trainer for 70hours. Nevermind my advice, then. Looks like I misunderstood your post.

 

This is a great website to be on for somebody new to trucking. Browse, and read the many posts on here. Search for the questions that you have.

 

Hey I hear ya man. I live in a small town just Northeast of Flint, Mi, about 50 miles west of you. I was a paid on call firefighter for over a year and a half. It is impossible to survive on what little pay they do give you (about 3k a year for me). It never ceases to amaze me how we can pay one man millions to throw a football but the man who risks his life to help others is paid enough to keep fuel in his truck for the next response. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED that job. But I have bills to pay, just like everyone else, and I had to leave my dream job to accomplish anything. I'm due to leave for orientation for USA truck in the morning. Good luck to you and I hope everything works out for you.

 

I was an EMT last year for jersey. Got laid off. Found myself in trucking

 

Wow...looks like a lot of EMS folks getting out of the business and getting into trucking. I'm a paramedic, but recently left my job duebecause to some pretty significant problems at my agency. All I can say about that is I hope my family members never get treated by this particular service. I can't even imagine how they would fare if the state audited their records.
Anyway, I'm considering going to trucking school. Hoping to find a company-sponsored class with a decent carrier. Best of luck to you guys. Stay safe out there!

 

Just browsing through some old threads here. I myself am an ex Army medic turned civilian EMT-I turned trucker. Former Werner trainer. How are things working out for ya?