Posted on 08/27/2007 5:02:05 PM PDT by wastedyears
I've been wondering if I should get my CDL. I'm 21, and not fully blind or deaf, and I live in CT. I also have no driving record, either positive or negative, 'cuz I don't own a car. I got the idea when I was going home Friday night, as I saw a lot of trucks on the road.
Can anybody help a young guy out?
Now, I'll just send this to JC's FR mail box........
I thought it was a California Drivers License.
-PJ
The poster says he’s from CT, so my only thought was Connecticut Drivers License but that didn’t seem to quite fit given the subsequent replies.
To offer a somewhat serious response, you will likely need to attend a ‘Truckers School’. There are a number of them around, at least is the midwest and west. Not terribly pricy and they will assist in finding a position.
Bear in mind, OTR trucking pays pretty well but you won’t become a millionaire. I suggest you do it if it is something you might enjoy. If you don’t you may be forever sorry.
You hit the wrong button again, didn't you?
There’s good news and bad news.
The trucking industry is crying for drivers. Unfortunately, because of insurance concerns, most jobs go to drivers over 25 years old. Regional or over the road drivers can make as much as $75K/year all with no basic education. Beware however, that to make this kind of money, you’ll put in gobs of hours and not see home very much. Many major truckling firms will subsidize driving school costs and guarantee you an apprentiship job upon graduation.
It’s not a bad occupation, but is very demanding. It is very hard to be a truckdriver and a family man.
I don’t care to be a millionaire. I have simple needs. Small home and one car is perfectly fine with me. If I make enough to take a vacation for a few days every year, that’s even better, because I love travelling.
Many aspects to the job, people cutting you off, underpowered rigs you can barely get up an on ramp, long hours and driving in the snow/ice.
You may be required to load and or unload which can require some muscle and operation on some equipment such as forklifts.
Long haul has it's advantages but you can usually tell who these guys are since it may take them 1/2 to hit a dock. ;-D
The bottom line is it can be very nerve wracking/frustrating.
Be prepared to face the fact some dumb things people do will get themselves killed and you will see it. Also you could get involved in a wreck killing these morons as well.
You have to be a special creed to drive a truck, sometimes it's great and sometimes you will tell yourself nothing is worth this stress.
Being young should help, hell at 21 I thought I was invincible.
I don't expect this will help but your instructors will let you know what can happen on the road.
Take it for what it's worth.
If you go to a class sponsored by a company, you'll have a job as soon as you fill out your school application.
If you fill out an employment application as having no SSN and no home address, you'll be presented with a pair of keys and "yours is the red one".
I know of a company that is looking for drivers,good bonus when your hired,good pay,short runs,good benefits,plus profit sharing.
Took me so long to write my last post and I had missed that.
You may not pass the physical to acquire the license.
FReepers are the best!
you don’t sound 2 motivated.
you need a kick in the butt!
YES BY GOD DO IT! My Friend in Seattle runs Mail from depot to Depot, he’ll make about $90,000 this year with overtime, all local routes
The physical requirements are not great. If you can see lightning, hear thunder and piss in a cup you will probably make it. Go until something stops you and then go through, around, under or over whatever it is that is holding you back.
I just read that somebody commented you may not pass the physical due to not being able to hear in your right ear.
I am pinging dmw because he may tell you things he can do with no hearing....there are quite a few deaf and hard of hearing people on the list.
Contact the schools and find out the limitations. maybe there are none! Make sure you have a good, recent audiogram that indicates your level of hearing loss when you apply to the schools.
there are lots of things you can do with limited hearing. Especially...if that’s your only limitation.
dmw, any words of advice?
My current prescription for contacts/glasses is -3.5 left, and -3.75 right. I don’t know about my hearing.
I’ve needed a kick in the pants for a long time.
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