Hello from Lakeland, FL.

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by DRandi, Jan 7, 2023.

  1. DRandi

    DRandi Bobtail Member

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    Been reading lots here and figured it's time to jump on in. So I guess a little about me is in order...
    I'm presently employed as a automotive technician for Mercedes-Benz. Previously a Ford technician before going to Benz. I've been a ASE master tech and Mercedes master for over twenty years, but now actively looking to switch career paths.

    I've never driven a larger truck before, but I have operated tractors, backhoes and machinery. I have driven several twenty six foot box vans with trailers cross country, but nothing professional.

    I'm looking to get into professional trucking as a company driver to learn the trade with the intent of progressing into becoming a owner.

    Got a week of vacation planned to get out and talk to some companies in my area to get some first hand info. Hope perceptions and reality are not too far off.


    David.
     
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  3. Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

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    Well, welcome, David.
    Personally, and I think most would agree here, that you have a waaaaayyyyyy better gig right now.
    That said, are you married?
    Do you have children?
    Are you willing to s### can all of your relationships to be the Knight of the Highway?

    If you're single with few obligations, saddle up.
    If not, please don't.
     
  4. ibcalm19

    ibcalm19 Road Train Member

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    As stated above is there anyone at home that needs your "undivided attention":rolleyes::rolleyes:. If there is we may have to have a conference call to approve this move.:D:D
     
  5. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    Greetings...and welcome to the Forum....! :D

    Two companies that you really out to check out in your area:

    Indian River Transport, over in Winter Haven (they began hiring new CDL grads recently):

    Indian River Transport Company

    & also, DOT Foods.....up in Ocala:

    Trucking Company Locations | Drive For Dot | Dot Transportation, Inc. (drivefordti.com)

    Part of DOT's website helps you choose a nearby CDL school that they will more readily hire you from:

    Schools - DTI (drivefordti.com)

    Either one of those would be a GREAT place for you to get your driving start.....:thumbup:

    Let us know how it goes.....

    --Lual
     
  6. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    SW Georgia
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    Follow-up: as much as I hate to admit it--posts #2 & #3 above are all too accurate. :confused:

    Trucking can be a good gig (I'm single--with no "ex"...and no dependents).....but it's definitely NOT for everyone. :oops:

    --Lual
     
  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Lakeland is a good area to get started in trucking.
    As mentioned, I'd look at Indian River Transport and ask which school they hire from.
    [​IMG]
     
  8. DRandi

    DRandi Bobtail Member

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    In some ways my current job is better, but in others not so much. Ever see what a mechanics hands look like in a days work?
    upload_2023-1-7_16-36-36.jpeg
    upload_2023-1-7_16-36-49.jpeg

    One is I'm tired of getting cut, burned, bruised on a daily basis. I have more scar tissue on my hands than unscarred. Recently had to go to the doctor's to have my left hand middle knuckle looked at. Short version I have damaged cartilage and joint narrowing. Turning screw drivers and pulling on wrenches on a daily basis is starting to take it's toll. I got five bad spinal discs just to name a bit more. Replacing a intake on a customers vehicle three years ago caused my L4 disc to herniate and put me down for two and half months. It's not that I can bend over. Jumping up and down, bending and lifting, climbing, slinging heavy stuff is not a problem. It's playing contortionist and then pulling for all your worth in a pretzel position to get that mother....... bolts loose is the problem.

    Having some problems with work and not getting paid, repeatedly, plus the toll it's taking on my body. Yeah I know struggles of getting paid in any vocation especially when your reliant on others to do their part too are just as problematic. I make roughly $115k and have my choice of what I wanna do, just that the job agitates that crap out of me now. Shop is climate controlled, when it works lol, and I have seniority with knowledge base, and by that I mean time in don't mean crap. Customer don't care how many years you've been there. You either have the knowledge to come up with a solution to the problem at hand or you don't. I can tell you all about fiber optic networks and control area network data communication diagnostics and part failure caused from galvanic corrosion and mechanical adhesion vs chemical bonding between composite structures...... yeah I know hard career field shift.

    Yes I'm married, going on 23 years. Both kids still live at home. Eldest is grown and starting to make his way in the world. He's a newly minted Deputy Sheriff in Polk County. Youngest is gonna be 15. Don't really have much of a social life and only a few friends. Don't mind some solitude as the general public and most social settings tend to annoy me anyway. Bout the only people I really talk to on regular basis is my family and sister.


    David.
     
  9. Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

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    Dude, everything you said is our life.......except for the $115k.
    First year you're looking at $60 if God loves you
     
  10. DRandi

    DRandi Bobtail Member

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    Found Rowland Truck Lines and fired off a initial contact email today. They are 10 miles up SR98 in Dade City from me. I'll have to give them a look too. Heyl Trucking in 20 minutes away over in Zephyrhills, but I've seen mixed reviews on them so not sure there. Heniff Transport has a tanker terminal here and I was gonna check them out also.


    David.
     
  11. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Heniff is a good choice. Ask which schools they hire from and they do hire from certain cdl schools.
    • For Entry Level drivers- Must attend a class A CDL Truck Driving Training course with at least 200 hours of instruction and provide transcripts. Must present Diploma for Entry Level Driver Training in Accordance with 49 CFR 380.503
     
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