My nephew recently got hired as a driver by Frito-Lay, they sent him to a pretty comprehensive driving school, he is on his own now and making more money than he ever has.

quote:

posted by iron chef on page 1:
Not hard on your body

It's not as bad as it used to be. You sit well back from the front wheels in a conventional cab, not directly over the front wheels as in a cab-over, so the ride isn't terrible. The seat is air-suspended (in long-haul trucks), the cab spacious and air-conditioned, and there is obviously power steering. With the typical 10-speed transmission (they used to be 13-speed with high and low ranges), there is a good deal of clutching and shifting. There are newer designs that do even this semi-automatically.

quote:

Originally posted by Lineman101:
Also, consider that any CDL A or B will require health checks every two years. And you must be part of a “pull” program that randomly checks for drugs/alcohol. Those items are necessary for the CDL to be valid. If you are an independent driver, you will need to consider these costs.

Another great point.
If one has high blood pressure or other medical conditions, DOT physicals are required every year.
My BP with meds averages 130/90, and I have to take it annually.
If one cannot pass the physical, they may either be given a 3-month extension or lose their CDL (Commercial Driver's License).
DOT Disqualifying Medical Conditions

As well, some DOT physical doctors are on a sleep apnea kick.
If your Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 or higher, or your neck measures over a certain limit, 17" in men and 15" in women, you may be required to get an apnea test.
One could be required to start using a CPAC for apena or lose their CDL.
8 Common Sleep Apnea & DOT Compliance Questions Answered

Fortunately, my company paid for my DOT physicals and stated they would pay for one more that is due in mid-September.
Although I'm undecided about whether to take the DOT physical.
I don't need it; I don't plan on driving commercially anymore.
Also, my vision has barely passed the test in the last few years, and I don't want vision correction to end up being required on my upcoming non-commercial driver's license.

It may not apply, but CDL drivers are also held to a different standard for blood alcohol limits when driving, whether on or off the clock.
What Is The Legal Alcohol Limit For CDL Drivers In A Personal Vehicle?


On the topic of physicals and health;
I've been on disability with my shoulder surgeries since January, and I've lost 30 pounds.
With my physical therapy, exercise, and better eating habits, I feel better than I have in 15 years.
Sitting behind a steering wheel for 12 or 13 hours a day is not beneficial to one's health.
That alone was one more thing that pushed me to retire sooner than later.
Besides, 40 years of professional driving is enough..

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
It's not as bad as it used to be. You sit well back from the front wheels in a conventional cab, not directly over the front wheels as in a cab-over, so the ride isn't terrible. The seat is air-suspended (in long-haul trucks), the cab spacious and air-conditioned, and there is obviously power steering. With the typical 10-speed transmission (they used to be 13-speed with high and low ranges), there is a good deal of clutching and shifting. There are newer designs that do even this semi-automatically.

I have no idea who you drove for, but our brand new day cab tractors will beat the shit out of a driver on today's roads. especially the single axle tractors.
Yes, they have air suspension seats, which really doesn't mean that much.

Standard transmissions?
I miss them and only used the clutch going forward from a stop and going in reverse.
It sucks making a left turn at an intersection and creeping through it while the automatic transmission tries to figure out what gear it wants to be in.

Although the newer tractors were better than what I started out in..
7-speed, no power steering, and an AC that rarely worked.
Ah yes, the good old days of the early 1990s.

Yep for years the physical was most just a company requirement then it was made a requirement for all CDL holders. I also have high blood pressure which put me in the yearly schedule. I lost a bunch of weight and my need for bp meds went away but you have to be regular for several years to go back to the two year schedule.
I have had a full CDL license since it was created in the 90’s and haven’t needed it in quite a few years but didn’t want to give it up since it was just another skill to have for employment. I finally gave up on the constant physical bs and figured out by talking to the DPS that I could park my CDL and reinstate it at anytime by simply passing a physical and unparking it at the DPS. I can still legally drive for myself. I just cannot do it for hire.
Doubt I will ever need it again but its just hard to let it go. I am up for renewal next month so the decision is again weighing heavy on me again to let it go. The added cost for renewal and not being able to take defensive driving to kill tickets is another reason which in a way keeps me from speeding which is a good thing I guess.

quote:

Originally posted by Mustang-PaPa:
Yep for years the physical was most just a company requirement then it was made a requirement for all CDL holders. I also have high blood pressure which put me in the yearly schedule. I lost a bunch of weight and my need for bp meds went away but you have to be regular for several years to go back to the two year schedule.
I have had a full CDL license since it was created in the 90’s and haven’t needed it in quite a few years but didn’t want to give it up since it was just another skill to have for employment. I finally gave up on the constant physical bs and figured out by talking to the DPS that I could park my CDL and reinstate it at anytime by simply passing a physical and unparking it at the DPS. I can still legally drive for myself. I just cannot do it for hire.
Doubt I will ever need it again but its just hard to let it go. I am up for renewal next month so the decision is again weighing heavy on me again to let it go. The added cost for renewal and not being able to take defensive driving to kill tickets is another reason which in a way keeps me from speeding which is a good thing I guess.

Great points.
Knock on wood, I haven't received a traffic ticket in years, but it was nice to have defensive driving in my back pocket to get it dismissed.

I know we had a couple of drivers lose their medical cert, one was on medical leave and forgot about it.
Not sure how he forgot, the state starts sending us letters months in advance about the upcoming physical expiration.
He had to rent a truck and take the entire CDL driving test over to get his CDL back.

Also, part of having the CDL was not being able to renew it online, but with my last renewal, I was able to do so online.
Seems some drivers can and some cannot, not sure what the criteria are for that.

Tell Gary I got and took the buyout.
Around 10 drivers at my hub above me in seniority took it as well.
At least all the other drivers will move up in seniority with some of the old timers gone.
Even though I'm off on disability, my last day with the company is August 31st..

Yep- Blood Alcohol limit is .04 for CDL. 1/2 of the limit for C drivers. In addition, Traffic School is not available for class A drivers. I’m not sure if the laws changed, but CDL drivers are held to a higher standard-

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lineman101,

quote:

posted by 1lowlife: I have no idea who you drove for ...

I didn't say I drove for anybody. (I did look seriously at it c. 2008, even to the point of obtaining a CDL learner's permit, but ultimately decided against it.) I said the big trucks aren't as bad to drive as they were a few decades ago. Even some women are driving them.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
I didn't say I drove for anybody. (I did look seriously at it c. 2008, even to the point of obtaining a CDL learner's permit, but ultimately decided against it.) I said the big trucks aren't as bad to drive as they were a few decades ago. Even some women are driving them.

Sure today's tractors with the annoying nanny systems and constant beeping when it thinks you are doing something wrong ride better than the older tractors.
But a day cab is no Cadillac, like perhaps a larger twin screw tractor with the weight of a sleeper cab.
The cab isn't as spacious as one might think, being you've never done it.
A Kenworth cab seats 2 people pretty close together when management does their annual ride with a driver.

Oh WOW, even women are driving trucks these days.
What is the world coming to?

quote:

Originally posted by 1lowlife:

Tell Gary I got and took the buyout.

Will do. Was wondering how that went for you. Hadn’t seen any updates posted from other drivers about the buyout. Glad it went your way. Certainly cannot beat the timing and the funds received. Makes for a good ending to a carrier you invested in and from a company that has gone to complete shit.

Enjoy retirement!

Another thing to consider is fitness. A local driver in and out of your truck many times a day. You're active. I'll bet 75 percent of OTR drivers I saw at truck stops were way over weight, even the wimmens!
My last six years I was top dog and got the milk run. Gained probably 20 pounds. Been retired almost four years, lost 50 pounds!

Been at it 30 or 40 years depending on how you count my experiences.
I just erased several paragraphs. If you come from a farm background you will kick ass. If you’ve been an insurance agent or sit at a desk typing, look somewhere else. It’s blunt but I’ve likely seen 500 drivers wash through our company in the past 30yrs. If your hands are soft you’ll not make it. We are one of those local type jobs delivering foods primarily.

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
If you come from a farm background you will kick ass. If you’ve been an insurance agent or sit at a desk typing, look somewhere else.

I grew up on a farm but have been sitting at a desk typing for many years. So...

Thanks again all for the great info and advice. Looking into it further, along with HVAC and electrician stuff.

Find yourself a local reliable, reputable, and long term towing company that has been in business in your community forever and see if they have some openings albeit working in their yard, office or driving.

You might like that and if you do stay long enough to learn the trade and buy your own truck and service the ones they can't.

I started when I was 24 by and my dad started in his fifties.