Well, after months of waiting and researching the industry here and other places, I am finally going to start CDL school on Monday. I will be attending Commercial Driving Services (CDS) in Lakewood, WA.

I have an Intent to Hire letter from Interstate Distributors, Inc. Gordon has also expressed interest in hiring me. I'm hoping to get on with Interstate as soon as I finish school. Gordon will be my fall back.

I've gotten my driver's permit, done the U/A, and passed the DOT physical. I'm really looking forward to finally getting into the class and getting behind the wheel and actually learning to drive and getting my CDL.

I'm so anal that I already have a big duffel under my bed packed with clothes and a smaller bag with all the hygiene stuff. got my sleeping bag cleaned and extra wool blankets.

It will be nice to no longer be an Armchair Trucker! Wish me luck!

 

Goodluck ! :rock: :rock:

 

good luck and keep us posted!

 

Well, today was the first day of class. Usual paperwork and taking our money. They polled the group of 16 to see how many were going for local and how many going OTR. I was surprised that I was the only one of the 16 who raised a hand for OTR. The instructor kept coming back throughout the day encouraging students not to rule out OTR.

After spending months reading all the information here I had to bite my tongue several times when the instructor would rave about how much money you can make as a truck driver. I kept having these thoughts about all the postings here talking about below minimum wage, long hours, excessive waits without making any money, etc.. It was all I could do to not call his bull#%*@. I didn't want to come off as a wet blanket on the very first day.

He was really pushing Werner and Swift. That almost caused me to laugh out loud! The recruiters start showing up tomorrow to give their dog and pony shows! Going to have to bite my tongue again! I'll be lucky if I have a tongue left after this is all over.

Anyway, it was about what I expected. Learned some good stuff about keeping logs and how to fill them out. Also, the hours of service rules.

I'll just be a sponge. Soak up what I need and leave the rest behind.

More to come later.

 

Good Luck 2U, R/McR!!

Just out of curiosity, what made you decide to go with Interstate over Gordon??

 

They have a much nicer terminal in Lakewood that is easier to access. They have much nicer equipment. They are getting more and more Volvo tractors in their fleet. They have a drive through truck wash. They have 3,000 watt inverters in their trucks that don't have APU's. Gordon has a bucket, brush, and a hose. Gordon also doesn't allow any inverter over 300 watts. I have heard Gordon will stress you out about keeping your equipment clean but do nothing to compensate their drivers for having their trucks washed. I want to keep my equipment clean. but, not at my personal expense of $40 a shot.

I just get a better feeling when I visit the Interstate corporate office. Now, I'm not ruling Gordon out. But, my first choice right now is Interstate.

 

I got an old buddy that I use to work with in corrections that went to Interstate. Been trying to get him to call me for weeks so I can talk to him about them. Guess I need to call his lady friend again and have her rag on him to call.

Rob R... if your a member here I'm going to kick your butt :P

Kurt S

 

Best of Luck to you RM!!!!

 

Boy, its a small world. I have worked for 25 years in corrections (Lt.). You and I may know each other. I may also know your buddy who went to Interstate.

 

Well.... I don't know. You worked here in Washington didn't you?
I worked in Calif at CMF, moved up here a few years after I got stabbed there. Needed to get out of that hell hole of a state, packed up in 92 and here I am a Washitonian. So how is school going?