Changing carriers conundrum (again!)

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by gravdigr, Apr 13, 2013.

  1. gravdigr

    gravdigr Road Train Member

    1,210
    1,121
    May 2, 2011
    Hollidaysburg, PA
    0
    First I have to say there is nothing wrong with Marten, I loved working for them. Being otr again was great and I was home more than ever. Recent events threw a monkeywrench in the works. My fiancee went into the hospital.

    I went out for my 2 weeks as usual on sunday. My fiancee had to go in for routine surgery on monday to have her gallbladder removed. They released her monday evening and I talked to her on the phone. She was having intense pain and trouble breathing, she texted me early tuesday morning she had to take an ambulance back to the hospital. I was in IL and notified my FM I would like to be kept near home in PA just in case. He gets me a load to harrisburg going right past my house with extended delivery time so I could go by the hospital. I make it as far as Hubbard OH tuesday night and have to take a break to get enough hours to make it home. I make it home wed at noon to find out she was put on a respirator and in an induced coma that morning, so by the time I make it to the hospital she is already out. I find out she has pneumonia and an infection in her lungs (she has very bad lungs to begin with and a host of other medical problems) as well as a possible leak where they removed her gall bladder which is leaking bile into her system which will make her septic.

    This is extremely serious, she could die before I ever get to speak to her again. I inform marten and they set up another driver to repower my load the rest of the way to harrisburg. Unfortunately since I have only been there a month I get 7 days and after that I have to resign and after this is over I can be rehired. Which I understand, but now once again I am reconsidering being otr and once again it is because of someone I love. This is tough. It's just not possible to take care of a family and be there when they need you and be otr. So once again I'm looking for a local job.

    I'm going to put some feelers out and try to see if I can find a local company that won't run me into the ground like the last local job I had. Maybe something in the tanker field since I got my hazmat and tanker endorsements. At this point it looks like I'll have a few weeks to search until she is back on her feet, if she gets back on her feet. Got an 11yo girl to take care of plus a 19yo that cannot run a house on his own. Gotta find something that has me home every day (and more than 5 or 6 hours each day). This sucks, I hate this job hopping every time the season changes. I gotta find something right this time. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I love to drive and want a job in the industry. I worked too hard for my cdl to just abandon it for something else.

    On the brighter side it looks like the infection in her lungs is clearing up, they are lowering her sedation and she is fighting the ventilator trying to breathe on her own which is a good sign, and she moved her legs a bit today. But she's still mostly unconcious and has to have a procedure tomorrow to fix the leak where they removed her gallbladder so she's not out of the woods yet.
     
    Lonesome, mp4694330, truckon and 4 others Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. michaelsiniard

    michaelsiniard Bobtail Member

    27
    1
    Nov 23, 2012
    buffalo new york
    0
    do you or anyone you know have any idea on roehl transport im due to start orientation on the 13th of may and was trying to get some inside information on what really goes on and how new hires are treated.
     
  4. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    22,474
    20,134
    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
    0
    I hope your fiancee gets well real soon.I would highly suggest staying away from otr till she is 100%well.She needs you at any given moment.Find another local job.Just because one local company ran you into the ground does'nt mean they're all like that.
     
    critters, truckon and mp4694330 Thank this.
  5. critters

    critters <b>Late For Dinner</b>

    1,444
    2,440
    Jul 16, 2011
    traverse city,MI
    0
    You and your fiance are in our thoughts and prayer, hope she gets well soon, good luck finding a good local gig.
     
  6. bigdogpile

    bigdogpile Road Train Member

    1,931
    1,462
    May 16, 2010
    fontana ca
    0
    So if you take off to much time they fire you, and tell you that you have to rehire ?..thats taking care of their drivers
    .
     
  7. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

    10,197
    19,945
    Dec 15, 2007
    Northern Indiana
    0
    Good luck, Digger, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
     
    pattyj and critters Thank this.
  8. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    22,474
    20,134
    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
    0
    Sounds like Marten is better then most.His dispatcher got him home right away.All companies are like that.You take too much time off you have to resign so that trk can be issued to another driver.But he's leaving Marten on good terms so they'll be more then happy to rehire him.
     
    critters and Logan76 Thank this.
  9. BossOutlaw88

    BossOutlaw88 Road Train Member

    1,451
    352
    Oct 30, 2011
    Cali
    0
    Sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope your lady recovers. The thing about trucking is that a company can't keep a truck idle for extended periods of time. Tanker local work is very lucrative. After I reach at least two years OTR, I'll be seriously considering going local tanker myself.

    Rolling the Smashed Pumpkin
     
  10. popcorn169

    popcorn169 Road Train Member

    2,194
    1,712
    Sep 5, 2011
    state of confusion
    0
    Gravdigger I hope you find a local job and it works out for you. Your fiancé will be in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep us updated on how she is doing.
     
    critters and pattyj Thank this.
  11. CenutryClass

    CenutryClass Road Train Member

    1,539
    859
    Feb 15, 2006
    0
    a duie pyle is hiring in altoona..really good northeast ltl company..check em out
     
    Logan76 and 123456 Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.