It's been about six months or so since I first signed up here on this forum. In that time I've asked lots of questions which many of you have been so kind to answer. I have to tell you it sure has helped me. I since finished my 6 week CDL school and almost completed training with what I think may be the best kept trucking secret in the South Texas area. I was lucky enough to find a company that alows you to pick to length loads you want daily. Local, Regional or Long haul. They give you time off whenever you want it, no slip seating and the trucks are all new. Since I want to make money, I'll run regional with some long hauls once in a while and when I want to see the family switch over to locals for a while. The runs pay on a percentage basis and average about $1400 for a four day run 2 out and 2 back and more for long hauls. I took may time deciding who to sign on with during CDL school. I hade a friend who signed up with the first company who offered him a job. It was Warner. He quit in his second week of training and never saw a shower and home time was no where in sight. He now decided to follow my lead and come over to where I'm at and we'll do an occassional team run together and make even more money. OK. please don't misunderstand. I don't have a rosy picture painted of the future. I've expected to almost starve for the first year or so. But as far as I can tell for now...it's looking pretty good thanks to all yall's help and information.

Chasser

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"It was on my fifth birthday that Papa put his hand
on my shoulder and said, 'Remember, my son, if you
ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end
of your arm.'" - Sam Levenson

Hey Congrats! So who did you sign on with?

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

CONGRATS CHASSER!

IF YOU ever get up in this neck of the WOODS ... I'll make sure you won't starve!

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That's awesome! Hope you have continued success.

I signed with a little company based here in Houston called Service Transport. We haul chemicals. I've found that non baffled tankers aren't so hard to drive if your very careful and don't mind the occasional surge. Most of the loading and unloading is done by the plant operators. If I ever have to get around or unload any of those chemicals you can bet I'll look like a frickin astronaut. But it's good money and the company doesn't care if the load is on time as long as it gets thier safe. Of course they prefer on time but never at the expense of safty, which suits me just fine. Cause if I get sleepy, I'm napping.

OK Cybergirl....I never pass up a home cooked meal. Where bouts are you in Michigan?

Oh if any of you consider Service Transport, I sure would appreciate the reference on your app to me... Charles Hinton

__________________
"It was on my fifth birthday that Papa put his hand
on my shoulder and said, 'Remember, my son, if you
ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end
of your arm.'" - Sam Levenson

Wow, Chasser! I'm glad things are going so well for you! You did your homework and things came together for you nicely. I wish you only the best of luck as a driver!

Take care and drive safely! And keep in touch with us...

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I am not familar with them, but it sounds like you found a good gig. Just remember that surge is not all you have to look for. Certain chemicals expand as they are sloshed around in transport. Be careful!

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

Wow chasser, you being one of the more vocal people on the forums I have been following your journey from its inception. So cool to see you go from a doe eyed uncertain newb to now landing what appears to be a really sweet gig. Congrats!

I'll ask my company trainer more about that this week. I hope my Hazardous Materials Pocketbook or my Emergency Response Guidebook will tell me which ones they are. I also hope the operator ( but I can't count on that ) would know if this is the case and allow for it. If you can shed any additional light on that subject...please do. Thanks

__________________
"It was on my fifth birthday that Papa put his hand
on my shoulder and said, 'Remember, my son, if you
ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end
of your arm.'" - Sam Levenson

I will look and see if I can find some info for you. I can't tell you off the top of my head. When I was a tanker yanker the only thing I hauled was jet fuel in CA. and when I pulled a tanker in KS I hauled saltwater out to the oil rigs. I just know that certain chemicals expand in transport. I am not much help here. Just wanted to give you a heads up there driver.

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!