Hey everyone

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by JimBad, May 5, 2010.

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  1. May 5, 2010 #1
    JimBad

    JimBad Bobtail Member

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    May 5, 2010
    Ohio
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    I just thought I'd introduce myself for my first post. I've been reading this forum pretty heavily for the past few days and finally decided to register.

    Basically, I'm just about to graduate college and can't find any work. I'm coming out of a big state school, solid grades, work experience as a cafeteria manager, but still nothing. The few other college grads I know aren't doing well either.

    I know one girl who got her bachelor's in accounting and ended up moving back to Toledo, where she now works as a shift leader in a Kroger. Another guy graduated with a Poli Sci degree and is a night stocker at Target. Another got a 4 yr in criminology and is a security guard.

    I come from a small town where the couple truck stops out by the interstate are a big part of our economy. I always thought about driving a big rig, listening to the radio/podcasts all day, CB chatter, the open road, it can't be that bad.

    So basically, I'm here to learn and considering picking up a CDL.
     
    JimBad, May 5, 2010
    JimBad, May 5, 2010
    #1
    simplyred1962, Baack, ironhand and 3 others Thank this.
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  3. May 5, 2010 #2
    Baack

    Baack Road Train Member

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    Hi, JimBad, Welcome to our Truckers Forum! We hope you enjoy your stay and please read our RULES. We hope to help you and get to know you soon! Thanks, JimBad!

    JimBad, do you have a question about how to do something? Try our FAQ section or you can PM me or a Moderator (50 posts not required to PM a Mod) to ask a question! Also, you can read through our Truckers Forum Information Center!
     
    Baack, May 5, 2010
    Baack, May 5, 2010
    #2
    ironhand, JustSonny, kickin chicken and 2 others Thank this.
  4. May 5, 2010 #3
    brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Welcome, and sorry to hear you blew all that money on college in today's job market. Plenty of good information around here, so pull up a chair and get to reading. Think of it as cramming for midterms.:biggrin_2559:
     
    brsims, May 5, 2010
    brsims, May 5, 2010
    #3
    The Challenger, JimBad, Baack and 2 others Thank this.
  5. May 5, 2010 #4
    JustSonny

    JustSonny Big Dummy

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    Troutman NC
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    Welcome to the forum JimBad! If you do enough reading here, you'll find enough info, pro and con, to make a decision about whether or not to try driving. I'm very close to trying it myself. I've read plenty but, bottom line....it's gonna take getting out there and actually doing it to know for sure if this is a good idea for me. I've got many reasons to believe that it is a good idea for me but it's easy to believe that from the outside looking in! Best of luck to you and stay in touch with us!
     
    JustSonny, May 5, 2010
    JustSonny, May 5, 2010
    #4
    JimBad, Baack, The Challenger and 1 other person Thank this.
  7. May 6, 2010 #5
    kickin chicken

    kickin chicken Road Train Member

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    Hello,Jim. We are glad to have you join us:) Best of Luck!!!
     
    kickin chicken, May 6, 2010
    kickin chicken, May 6, 2010
    #5
    The Challenger, JustSonny, Baack and 2 others Thank this.
  8. May 6, 2010 #6
    48Packard

    48Packard Ol' Two-stop Shag!

    8,455
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    Apr 19, 2009
    Could be anywhere
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    Welcome, Jim!

    I've changed careers, let's see...carry the two, divide by pi.....several times!

    Tons of great info here....some good, some.......well, kinda like the CB. Take it with a grain of salt. But lots of useful things.

    Good luck with whatever you end up pursuing!
     
    48Packard, May 6, 2010
    48Packard, May 6, 2010
    #6
    JimBad, The Challenger, kickin chicken and 2 others Thank this.
  9. May 6, 2010 #7
    Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Jan 20, 2010
    Hesperia, Ca.
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    Welcome Jim, are you sure about getting into trucking ? Maybe as a back up, but just my opinion for an educated man.:biggrin_2558: Goodluck to ya.
     
    Diesel Dave, May 6, 2010
    Diesel Dave, May 6, 2010
    #7
    ironhand, Baack, The Challenger and 2 others Thank this.
  10. May 6, 2010 #8
    Schmidtrock

    Schmidtrock Light Load Member

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    Jan 8, 2010
    Palatka, FL
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    Hi there, welcome!
     
    Schmidtrock, May 6, 2010
    Schmidtrock, May 6, 2010
    #8
    Baack, The Challenger, JimBad and 2 others Thank this.
  11. May 7, 2010 #9
    JimBad

    JimBad Bobtail Member

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    May 5, 2010
    Ohio
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    Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Yea Dave, I'm serious about it. I'm looking hard for restaurant or retail management jobs now, some of which start at $27,000, and having a tough time finding anything. I know truckers can make $30,000 and up, and not have to deal with customers so much, so why not? I'm not going to turn my nose up at anything.
     
    JimBad, May 7, 2010
    JimBad, May 7, 2010
    #9
    ironhand, The Challenger, kickin chicken and 1 other person Thank this.
  12. May 7, 2010 #10
    The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    Dec 22, 2007
    East Central FL
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    Jim,

    Keep in mind driving a truck is not like driving your average car. You can weigh up to 80K and have many challenges such as road conditions, weather changes, and much more in a single hour. If your single, take advantage and bank as much money while you can and try OTR. If your not, see if any companies have dedicated.

    Now some companies train like Prime, Stevens, Swift, Central Refrigerated, USA truck and Pam use driver solutions, Cargo Express and CR England. My advice as a newbie is start asking questions on the threads of the companies that interest you the most.

    Heres a link to a couple:

    Crete:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ompany-here/34475-crete-a-year-in-review.html

    Swift:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/swift/

    Stevens:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/stevens/

    Central Refrigerated:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...re/40859-central-refrigerated-truck-stop.html

    Cargo Express:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr.../108570-cargo-express-jjs-new-truck-stop.html

    Prime:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/prime/

    Transport America:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/transport-america/

    Schneider:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/schneider/

    Roehl:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/roehl/

    Werner:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/werner/


    Good Luck:

    KH
     
    The Challenger, May 7, 2010
    The Challenger, May 7, 2010
    #10
    Baack, JimBad, kickin chicken and 2 others Thank this.
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