Wanting to become a otr driver

I went through the Swift Academy in Lewiston Idaho about a year-and-a-half ago. I will say that the training was decent I felt that I was well-trained when I got out of there. As to your question about whether or not it's going to be 11 hours a day of busy or boring, that's up to you. Stay busy.

 

The tests for the endorsements aren't that hard. Use the practice tests on this site, get all your endorsements up front, it'll save you time later .

 

Alright I gave Keller a call, I've got a family event that I already signed up for so I'll be starting my training next month. I've been doing the practice test on here and like you guys said it's an easy test, I'm getting at-least 90 percent of the questions right. Will update once I'm in training.

 

Well a little update I spoke too soon, Keller didn't accept me because "my work history isn't stable enough" their words not mine. I applied for Swift I'll be going to Columbus on March 4th for training my recruiter (nice girl and very helpful) will be calling me next week to give all the details. Swift didn't ask me one question about my work history and the only thing left is the background check which is no concern because I don't have a bad background. I'm disappointed that'll be living in a Columbus for a month and have to team for 240 hours but the outcome is a good career so I'll keep my head up.

 

Thats the right attitude, KBeam!! Endure and you will enjoy!! I have had my ups and downs but not a single regret. I love this career!!

 

I'm an optimist if you go in being negative guess what? You'll hate your life, I've worked for some pretty crappy contractors but never had any issues because I was positive, kept my mouth shut and did my job. The good thing about working in the trades is it re-programs you to always listen, learn and it makes you humble. The journeyman always liked me simply because I wasn't on my phone for eight hours and I did whatever they asked me to do. I've spent months just handing guys tools and sometimes just running to the cooler getting waters, boring as heck but it made me humble and made it easier to learn new things. If I can work 6-10s just doing that I'll be fine in this job.

 

Well I officially have my permit! Got my two year dot physical also. I did get scared because my blood pressure is always high when they put that pressure thing on, the nurse did a second test and it was normal she said a lot people have the same issue. The other parts of the physical I passed with flying colors, vision is 20/15 uncorrected. Hearing and body are good and my urine passed although she did let me know that I was dehydrated and that was the reason why my bp was higher than normal.

I made the bone headed move and decided to take my permit test while I was super tired and if I got one more question wrong I would've failed but I got lucky and passed! The only thing that sucks is Ohio's new plastic license gets takes around two weeks to get mailed so I'm %90 sure I can't start class until I get the official license. My recruiter is supposed to call me today so I'll ask her about that. I have zero interest in staying another week in Columbus and re-taking the test so if the answer is no I'll wait until I get my plastic. This new Ohio license system sucks, a couple of years ago you got the actual license at the bmv.

 

I'll tell you this. Before I had my cdl, I always thought it was hard getting a cdl for free. So, I signed up for national guard. I thought that was the easiest way to get cdl. Yep I am that idiot. But military didnt really matter, just made a few friends. But man, when I sat in my first Werner truck, it was like puzzle was completed. I love driving these trucks. It has been 5 years since my training and I've been driving for Marten for majority of it. I am a local driver here in wisconsin. Just bought a house and drive 2018 silverado, and have plenty of money to play around with. And you know what I enjoy the most...is sex, but after that, is turning that key, feel the engine rumbling, and leaving for my pick up. I bellive if you truly love this job, you will always be successful, no matter if you work for swift or any other company.

 

You are selling yourself short. Getting a permit is a nonevent. Very easy. Go with a company that will pay more. No need to go bottom of the barrel with a clean record.

 

I'm sure that's how I'll feel also. The few times I've driven 26 foot U-hauls or my ex-companies bucket truck I loved it. There's something about driving a large vehicle that makes you feel good and it's not a "macho man" thing either. My old job I spent the majority of my eight hour day just moving trailers with a forklift through the shop's yard I loved every second of it, it's funny too because I received zero training! I just figured out how to control those trailers by doing it and they had me watching and teaching the new hires how to do it.

Sorry but I disagree getting your permit, while easy ( I did mine while I was barely awake), is not a "non event." I've saved myself of having to spend an additional week in training. They pay .36 per mile from my research that's the industry average for drivers that do not have their cdl a, my interest is to get my class a, get some experience and in the long term get with a local company. If my money was my only interest I would get my welding certification and could make $25 an hour by this fall, I'm doing this career (well attempting to do) because it's something I'll enjoy. Of course money is important but happiness is more important, there's so many people that will do a job they hate for 40+ years and wonder where their life went and I have zero intention of doing that. If you think I'm selling myself short that's fine, it's your opinion and you're free to share it.