New student here

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by jimbomaz, Nov 7, 2008.

  1. jimbomaz

    jimbomaz Bobtail Member

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    Hi all..I have lurked here for a couple weeks and learned a lot. Thank you. I'm doing a major career change from real estate to truck driving. Scary at 42 years old.
    Anyways, I'm starting my school on Monday and have had offers from the usual large companies, Swift, Wener, England etc. In looking at smaller companies I got an offer from R.E. West and Mike Brooks, Inc. Does anyone have any info on these companies? Anything would be appreciated.

    Thanks again.:biggrin_25525:
     
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  3. honor roll

    honor roll Road Train Member

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    Good Luck Be Safe and Welcome to the forum
     
  4. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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  5. jimbomaz

    jimbomaz Bobtail Member

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    THanks for the info,the links are very detailed. I'll look them over and see if I can figure them out. Thanks, appreciate it.
     
  6. captK

    captK Light Load Member

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    Good luck, man. Just left the RE biz. too after 7 years. I'm 2 weeks into a 6 week CDL course. I'm much less scared now that I realize that I can handle the truck. If you were motivated and focused enough to handle the RE biz and be successful until the downturn, as long as you can handle the truck.....you'll be able to handle the new lifestyle. I am sure we'll make sacrifices with all the changes, but we do have the drive! :biggrin_25525:
     
  7. jimbomaz

    jimbomaz Bobtail Member

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    I hear you. Been in real estate since the early 90's. A lot of money in it back then. Finally with the current Michigan condition, its tough to find a job. Always wanted to drive truck, but didnt want to do it til my son was in college. My wife is very supportive of my decision. She has her class B license and hopefully when we're able to leave Michigan for good, she'll get her A and we'll drive together.
    I just have to get over the intimidation of the big truck.
    Thanks for the response.
     
  8. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    That is the very best way to attack the trucking industry.Husband and wife team. Do it together. You will make excellent money. Try to stick to the larger companies though. There is more drop and hook and you will make more money.
     
  9. soon2betrucking

    soon2betrucking Road Train Member

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    Hey Jim, welcome to the board, youll find everything you wanna find out about pretty much every, theirs a lot of great people here wanting to help, as they did for me, if it were not for this site i would prob not have the knowledge i have today, and i would be with some scary companies,
    you say your lookin for a smaller company, i hear ya, and you may wanna check out Watkins Shepard, they are out of missula, but theyv got a term up there in mic. great company to work for, mid size company. search around on here about w/s and many other companies.
    best of luck, and keep us posted on how you make out, and where you end up. good luck in school
     
  10. jimbomaz

    jimbomaz Bobtail Member

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    Thanks....I did check with Watkins and got a pre-hire with them. I also got a pre-hire from Mike Brooks, Inc. They promise to get me home every weekend. The recruiter seemed very genuine and honest. That was my initial goal to be home every 5-7 days or so. Sounds like I landed it.
    Started my first day of school today. Got to drive in a parking lot and do some manuvers. I think its going to take some time to get used to double clutching. I've driven stick's before but obviously havent double clutched. The instructor told me to relax and remined me that I was only behind the wheel for 20 minutes. It was all overwhelming. I'll keep you updated. Thanks again for all the replies.:yes2557:
     
  11. driver4015

    driver4015 Medium Load Member

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    This is when you will REALLY find ou if you should have gotten married at all. Its a different deal, you have NOWHEREto go, think about it.you may decide that "team" is not for you? what do you do then? think about it.one on the road,one at home. Can you do that? the one at home has all thproblems and none of the help, your gonna be 3000 miles away. how's that work? your choice. but it's something to think about. I know,cost me three wifes.
     
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