job update

BrianR · 11-21-2004, 03:42 PM

I lost the thread where LJ was discussing his job and I chimed in with my retraining story so I'm starting another one.

I have so far spent $7400, gotten ten weeks of classroom (read book-larnin') behind me and managed to maintain a 4.0 average...the #1 in the class. Big F-in deal, most of the students are rocks.

Friday, I went up to Harrisburg and was pleasantly surprised to find that PennDOT has revamped it's customer service center into a place where actual customers get actual service! I waited no more than twenty minutes to get my authorization to take the written tests. $80 later, I was in the room where those tests are administered. I took a number and picked through the racks for something to read. I hadn't even finished when my number was called! I took the eye exam (again) and sat down to take the test(s).

The machines have evolved from a box with five buttons to a touch screen that works. The tests were straightforward and since I didn't sleep through class, I knew it all, I only missed one or two here and there. Out of all six tests.

Thus, shortly thereafter, I was the proud owner of a Penna CDL permit, which will enable me to actually DRIVE AN 18 WHEELER starting Monday night. Be afraid! Be VERY afraid! Muhahahaha!

Anyway, I have moved out onto the range and will be practicing my backing and parking skills as well as taking at least 28 road trips to practice turning and shifting. Let's see how many gray hairs I can give the instructor! I've gone through three classroom teachers already. Boring!

Now, where's that air horn cord???

richlevy · 11-21-2004, 03:59 PM

Nice job. My half-brother got laid off and got an 18-wheeler license in New Jersey. It turned out he didn't like the travelling so he is now driving coach buses, the kind that take people to Atlantic City.

xoxoxoBruce · 11-21-2004, 04:26 PM

Once you've got the CDL there are all kinds of jobs you can shoot for. Not only long haul, short haul(1 or 2 nights away), local (home every night), trucks but busses, limos, and delivery routes.
Ever see those coke and pepsi salesmen delivering to smaller stores with an abbreviated tractor trailer?
You could drive a race car hauler, carnival mover or drugs and illegals in from Mexico. You could even drive Rock Star's tour busses and share the groupies.

BrianR · 11-22-2004, 02:46 PM

Those soda delivery guys have to fingerprint their loads. Both ways. And they get paid by the number of cases they deliver. Usually. My doctor says, No Heavy Lifting, Repeated Bending or Prolonged Standing. So I think that route is out. But I won't mind OTR, I like travelling and as long as the company allows me to take my dog along (foolproof anti-theft system) I will go for it.

Werner is recruiting me aggressively now. Covenant slightly less so. Schneider can kiss my heinie. I expect more offers as I get closer to graduation. I'll keep you all posted on those as I get them. Anyone who may know of a position (ideal: local drop-and-hook, home every night, $20k/yr is enough, unless I get the spending bug again) please feel free to email me with the particulars and I will look into it.

Brian

Oh Bruce? Can I hit the sewage dump valve over tour boats while I'm driving that Rock Star? Knowing my luck, I'd wind up driving someone I can't STAND!. LOL

11-21-2004, 03:59 PM	#2
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	Nice job. My half-brother got laid off and got an 18-wheeler license in New Jersey. It turned out he didn't like the travelling so he is now driving coach buses, the kind that take people to Atlantic City. __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

11-21-2004, 04:26 PM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Once you've got the CDL there are all kinds of jobs you can shoot for. Not only long haul, short haul(1 or 2 nights away), local (home every night), trucks but busses, limos, and delivery routes. Ever see those coke and pepsi salesmen delivering to smaller stores with an abbreviated tractor trailer? You could drive a race car hauler, carnival mover or drugs and illegals in from Mexico. You could even drive Rock Star's tour busses and share the groupies. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

11-22-2004, 02:46 PM	#4
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	Those soda delivery guys have to fingerprint their loads. Both ways. And they get paid by the number of cases they deliver. Usually. My doctor says, No Heavy Lifting, Repeated Bending or Prolonged Standing. So I think that route is out. But I won't mind OTR, I like travelling and as long as the company allows me to take my dog along (foolproof anti-theft system) I will go for it. Werner is recruiting me aggressively now. Covenant slightly less so. Schneider can kiss my heinie. I expect more offers as I get closer to graduation. I'll keep you all posted on those as I get them. Anyone who may know of a position (ideal: local drop-and-hook, home every night, $20k/yr is enough, unless I get the spending bug again) please feel free to email me with the particulars and I will look into it. Brian Oh Bruce? Can I hit the sewage dump valve over tour boats while I'm driving that Rock Star? Knowing my luck, I'd wind up driving someone I can't STAND!. LOL __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

11-21-2004, 03:42 PM	#1
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	job update I lost the thread where LJ was discussing his job and I chimed in with my retraining story so I'm starting another one. I have so far spent $7400, gotten ten weeks of classroom (read book-larnin') behind me and managed to maintain a 4.0 average...the #1 in the class. Big F-in deal, most of the students are rocks. Friday, I went up to Harrisburg and was pleasantly surprised to find that PennDOT has revamped it's customer service center into a place where actual customers get actual service! I waited no more than twenty minutes to get my authorization to take the written tests. $80 later, I was in the room where those tests are administered. I took a number and picked through the racks for something to read. I hadn't even finished when my number was called! I took the eye exam (again) and sat down to take the test(s). The machines have evolved from a box with five buttons to a touch screen that works. The tests were straightforward and since I didn't sleep through class, I knew it all, I only missed one or two here and there. Out of all six tests. Thus, shortly thereafter, I was the proud owner of a Penna CDL permit, which will enable me to actually DRIVE AN 18 WHEELER starting Monday night. Be afraid! Be VERY afraid! Muhahahaha! Anyway, I have moved out onto the range and will be practicing my backing and parking skills as well as taking at least 28 road trips to practice turning and shifting. Let's see how many gray hairs I can give the instructor! I've gone through three classroom teachers already. Boring! Now, where's that air horn cord??? __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

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