Picking bugs off of you

Another day and still no DOT card.. Really thanks for the feed back it does help. I didn’t really mean to come across as wound up tight,, but I guess in reading back,, wound up pretty tight and ready to snap.. No not really I am new to posting and I come across that way…sorry I’ll try to shorten up post ..may-be that will help..

I did my stress test this morning at 9 am.. Yes ultra sound and tread mill,, went great,, well I only did one stress test once before and that’s when I had my heart attack,, on the tread mill ,so couldn’t have happen a better place or time,, if there is such a time to have an attack.. I was out in an hour this morning.. Well they said they would get it read and faxed over to the DOT for my card,, but my Cardiologist never read it so it didn’t get sent.. The girls in the office tried but doctors are something,, don’t get me started on doctors..

My brother who is an x-driver who really doesn’t divulge much information and talks basically in riddles gave me this advice tonight. ‘’The big guy is looking at you thru the looking glass.’’ what it means God has it all planed out in advance so no sense in worrying about it.

Yes I assume if the DOT doctor wants a stress test,, you get a stress test to get your card… The doctor yesterday even pulled out the rule book and showed me where he had to order the test. An other odd thing I was told you can’t wear bib overalls for DOT exam’s,, where do they come up with this,, like I say wish I knew this first,, live and learn.. Read ,think and wait you don’t need to know the facts…I get it…- may-be next week….. I missed it by that much… ( max well smart ) if you remember..

Yes liptor can cause hair loss in rare cases and don’t advertise it because of it would discourage sales. I have taken liptor before and had back pain trouble with lower dosages,, but after the heart attack the cardiologist put me on the highest dose.. numbers came down to good,, ,, my cardiologist office will not discuss it with me because hair loss is acceptable to them.. but I’m going to look for something else. As far as I was told the liver they check with your blood test..

No I still ramble…..and it’s not even a tenth of the wired things that went on with this saga, but I am trying to keep it relevant to getting a CDL..


Pure monkey

 

Been doing some reading on here again.. Can it really be this horrible for drivers. The back stabbing by companies and keeping you from working.

My ultimate goal is to drive solo in a decent truck and get home once in awhile with out the hassles of dropping off the truck somewhere,, I also would like to bring a rider once in while,, to keep the old lady happy,,, not me so much... A year is a peace of cake for me.. I’m not looking to jump all over the place.. .. I’m intelligent as the next guy,, look in your mirror .. Just wondering if I am off the tree and being unrealistic. I know one guys bad won’t necessary be mine.. I don’t mind doing my job,, just got to know what my job is first. I’m not going into this thinking it’s going to be a breeze. But after schooling and have CDL in hand,, It doesn’t matter to me warner,, swift or who ever ,, if I am lucky enough to even get hired… Warner (Bob) said you take it home(truck),,, my only reason is rather not waist what home time I have. I also like wiener(warner)because of paperless logs, is that a good thing,, I thought it would be. Remember I am just picking bugs off you,,. Yup bet you know this already I ramble..

I ‘m not worried about who I am going to work for,, I’m worried about getting trained.. No I’m not stressing….just anxious as I was hoping to be done with training by summer. Tic tock.. I was thinking by then I should have an idea as to what the job really is,, I am not going to worry about money. There really isn’t any as I see it anyway.. just enough to eat and send out a post card. .while getting trained.. And that’s ok.. Isn’t. it… more about learning to keep your nose clean and keeping your CDL. or do you learn that on your own. Can a driver with six months experience teach you this (warner). where do you think my mind is leaning…two sides to every coin.. I just picking more bugs.

I’m having some trouble getting into school for this and that but will get there. Tic tock I swear when this is all said and done I’m going to write an out line as I see it. But again I don’t know nothing…yet.. May-be if I am in school next week I won’t post so much garbage,, I’ll have something to do .. Now where do you put the key again.. monkeys don’t have pockets.. pay attention.


Pure monkey

 

Well I killed the monkey he was starting to bug me ,, no pun intended.

I think I got a love hate thing going with this forum. I thought it was going to make a lot of things clearer for me. I have got a lot of decent information from some of you that posted on here for me, yes one guy said you get all walks of life in trucking, one real nice lady that is the best and very thoughtful, if this comes at being negative I just want you to know that your not the reason I killed the monkey,,

I have busted my hump my whole life,, never have had one thing given to me, live in a nice big home on acreage with a barn I call it a barn that is larger- nicer than most homes, I could go on about the cottage cars and stuff. I take care of my things built most of it and learned to save, I treat people like I want to be treated. Blah blah blah

I know when my brother was a OTR driver he used to call me all the time in the morning on my way to work as a baby sitter for a construction company. I always listened to him on the phone with him talking non stop for an hour and half talking about nothing, I knew he was lonely, sometimes he’d hear a tune and turn it up so I could listen.. His phone calls bugged the poo out of me sometimes as I had usually had to deal with a lot of problems of my own the moment I got out of my four wheeler truck. I always envied him for being a driver I thought he had it made. I had to pay attention to details and schedules it was my but on the line and it was because of the details I was good at my job. I like details and I didn’t lie, I did what I said I was going to do. I knew how get people feeling good about themselves to get what I needed out of them, people just need direction and to know their appreciated It was my style and it did me good until I got down sized,, blah blah. I mean my brother called almost every morning and not once did he ever complain about his job.

I still don’t know poo about this line of work. I checked out a couple schools around here and I think I have found a real nice one here and I’m beginning to wonder if this forum has lead me to think they are some type of scheming crooks,, I’l be honest I thought they were very nice people and I regret being so cynical of them. I told you their out fit is new clean and students seemed happy.. I knew when I started school I was going to do just what my brother told me (circle of trust,, even tho he refuses to go into details, that’s why I decided to use this forum). Keep your mouth shut, do every thing the way they show ya.. Don’t tell any one anything,, keep your mouth shut.. I will find out why I’m sure,, but I do listen.

Ok now I seen one recruiter Warner ,, wiener,, how ever you say it spell it I don’t have pre-hire letter in front of me. I just don’t know man,, some of the stuff I’ve read,, holy flying monkeys,, to go to those lengths you really got have something going on.. I don’t have a clue with the whole of lot of the whiners too. It just scares the poo out of me. I guess it’s the luck of the draw on trainers and how to replace one if you feel lacking in their ability to teach you or their motives. How can you train some one with only six months experience.. I am not stupid I have done the math and know the turn over rate is why it is, but is there any hope for a guy like me,,, to hear them talk no.

I’ll tell ya I have read that CDL manual front wards backwards,, I do pre trips on my four wheeler the best I can, following the steps in the manual. I talk out loud all the time on the information in the manual. I took my test for my temporary instruction permit,, ace it first time. I put a lot of effort into this so far getting ready for school. I am not perfect but doing everything I can to succeed.

The Mrs and me took a trip yesterday I understand so much more about the big dogs on the road and wonder if their as miserable as all the post I read about Warner or other companies,, they can’t be , I drive across the U S A one, two times sometimes three times a year visiting ,, yes some drivers look haggard but for the most part they looked like decent people men and woman,, I always gave room and a wave,, as I have always wanted to do what they were doing, I’ve shared food with them out west when grilling at stops, had some nice conversations but nothing about their employers. I seen a lot of nice riggs,, some crappy ones too, but I wasn’t really looking as close as I am now.. Didn’t see one Warner on the road yesterday in six hours.

I think I am going thru a process and I’m getting overloaded with to much stuff on this site.. I will do this the way I did everything else I have in life. .by the seat of my pants and the grace of god. It will be what I make of it and if I keep true to it I am hoping I’ll succeed. So I killed the monkey may he rest in peace.

May-be I'l post again,, but not the monkey,, it's hard for me not ramble,, but really thanks

T.

 

Update -I 11 2011


I found out that I had passed all test and requirements for a dot medical card. I went down to the place I took the drug and physical and pick up the DOT card have it hand. It was the last piece of the puzzle for starting school . I am starting school Monday the 17th.

It is a relief to put that part behind and to be able concentrate on going to school. I’ve come to the conclusion that Warner isn’t the route I want to go if possible. To be quite frank I don’t like any of the companies I have received pre-hires from. It’s a gamble on what’s going to happen after you get your CDL. I know the other day while out on trip we drove by a bunch of new semi trucks along the expressway and the Mrs. said why not by your own. I just know that is a whole different deal but does have me thinking about it. I’m not interested in a lease program,, why I’m not sure.

The problem is I have basically no experience in driving a semi except I have driven a gasoline tanker pulling a pup one time while the driver was passed out in my twenties. A story for another time.

I am more concerned about getting comfortable behind the wheel before I consider buying my own rig.


.
Update - 1 13 2011

I some how feel better thinking about owning a rig and not havening to work for a carrier. We discussed finances a bit and I really have no Idea as to what a rig would cost, not to mention insurance ,bonds and any other expenses in owning one and getting it legal to drive on public roads. It is just a thought we had about a way to have to not work for someone. Do I go with Warner or any companies and use them as just to get trained and a understanding of the trucking industry is what I’m thinking today. School might shed some new light on this idea.

One step at a time, have about four weeks before I have a CDL. May-be I’ll meet some one at school that is knowledgeable. I’m not planning on running out and buying one today even tho I want too go look at the ones we had seen.

Lady K thanks for your nice post, wish Gary and you good fortune with your adventure.


T.