Comments on: Hi,This is me

By: Thomas Young

Thomas Young — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:15:03 +0000

Here, Here! I am 57 and in a Tech School for my CDL training and believe Des is “Way Cool” and spot on. I have delighted to watch her YouTube offerings, finding them quite instructive and helpful. Rock on Des!

By: truckerdesiree

truckerdesiree — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:58:12 +0000

Hello Stefan:

The Hazmat costs about $100 USD and it consists of taking a 50 question test. You can actually buy the answers off the internet for about $10 USD and the eligibility requirements (background check) are … well … not as secure as I would prefer but …. that is another tireade I do not have time for today. here is a link for TSA disqualifier waivers. http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/hazmat/disqualifiers.shtm If you take that into context to someone coming from another country who has no records in our FBI system and you have some common sense you can figure out that this homeland security system for the Hazmat Endorsement is lacking. The endorsement test itself would be taken at the state where the CDL is issued and your are finger prinited and that is sent off to TSA. It takes about a month to get an answer.

By: Stefan Söderlund

Stefan Söderlund — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:09:54 +0000

Hello Desiree! My name is Stefan and I`m from Finland/Europe. Thank you for letting us now what you are doing out there on the roads. I have some questions to make and I hope that you are the one that can give me the right answers! I`ve had the CDL valid in Europe since 1977 (still have it), am a trucker, double-trippel + semitrailer- tractor and also a busdriver. I`ve been trying to contact a friend I have in Canada ( he`s a trucker too, or was) but without answer, so now I come to you! I have no, what you call HAZMAT, cause I don`t need it here in Finland at the moment and it is expensive to take it here. The reason why I am asking is that I`d like to try the american way of trucking before I start my “rocking-chairtrucking” as a very old man.
Be blessed and drive carefully! Stefan Söderlund from Finland

By: truckerdesiree

truckerdesiree — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:00:20 +0000

Sorry for the delay TruckerDesiree@gmail.com

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:04:12 +0000

Can you contact me when you have a moment.

By: truckerdesiree

truckerdesiree — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:40:41 +0000

Hi Frank: Sorry for the delay in my reply. Well if you have no ties to home and you have been working in a factory for 16 years, I would definately say GO FOR IT! But be prepared for the downtimes. irregular pay and do lots of research on training carriers. I would suggest Stevens Transport or Schneider/ Read up on Allen Smith’s http://www.askthetrucker.com site and archived radio programs located at http://www.blogtalkradio.co/truthabouttrucking anf check out my you tube channel and those of others who are trying to TEACH YOU SERIOUS LESSONS not only to keep you safe but to be sucessful.
Understand that you life is lived around the load so while you see beautiful rivers and bridges and countryside… you do not have the luxury to stop and enjoy the sites because you are on a schedule.
On your downtime you must rest but I suggest talking walks and having a smartphone to locate walmarts where you can park to shop and maybe find a nice place to eat or see a movie once in awhile.
You can get netflix on your lap top and get a good smartphone and be connected all the time to friends back home. Once you get through training and about a year out you will start learning places you prefer to park. I liked rest areas and some older Mom & Pop truck Stops that have better quality food. Good Luck!!

By: Frank Taylor

Frank Taylor — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:53:48 +0000

Hey Desiree I am 44 (m) and want to get into trucking bad. I plan on taking my CDL class in January. What is it really like being a trucker? I mean truthfully the good and bad. I have worked in a car factory for last 16 yrs and almost an empty nester, just feel there has to be more to life than stuck inside a car plant. I want to live the adventure and life of trucking. I waited until my kids were almost grown. I really believe the lifestyle would suit me perfect, I’m kind of a loner and just want to see this country. Please email me if you would some of the good and BAD things about trucking. Looking forward to hearing from you, be safe! email me if you would.

By: 2010 in review « TruckerDesiree

2010 in review « TruckerDesiree — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:02:51 +0000

[...] Hi,This is me [...]

By: socialmediaforlogistics

socialmediaforlogistics — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:09:30 +0000

Hi Desiree-

I really like what you are doing on several levels… using social media, engaging readers, and being an activist for some very important things.

Best of luck to you,
Kenneth Kowal

By: truckerdesiree

truckerdesiree — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:44:19 +0000

Hi Jane:

Yes the recruiters are esspecially vague and that is a huge part of the probelm. Most of them are salesmen not drivers so they could care less about getting you accurate information. The make money from closing the deal.
I don’t know much about your area where you live or your personal situation to give you an idea of who you can call but you can email me directly at TruckerDesiree@gmail.com
There is no silver bullet in this industry. You have to find what is best for you. I would definately say as a guideline, stay away from any company trying to encourage you to get into a lease program such as CR England, Prime, CRST… there are other smaller carriers who also try to get you to become an Owner-Operator right away and this shows they do not care about you or your long term success.

I have heard good things about Schneider’s school but had a very disturbing report from a lady in their tanker training division.
I have had few complaints about Swift with regards to the way women are treated but there are very few trainers who want to train women because of the problems.

I have heard good things about Stevens Transport, KLLM, Roehl but getting a good trainer is always a crapshoot for any trainee. Make sure you understand your personal safety is important and you have to keep your notes and documentation. Never believe your company is investigating anything and they will always try to turn the situation around to make it seem like you don’t know what you are talking about. If you have your documentation and you keep your nose clean you will be fine.
Please join us on facebook if you have not already to meet other friends and be involved in groups to get more information from real drivers.
“Real Women Truckers” on Facebook

Email if you would like to talk more.

Good Luck!
Desiree