Coming Full Circle? *long*

Wellll... You could say that. But all I've ever done is tried to make a living doing something I enjoy.

Thank you, I appreciate it. I think I'm gonna need it! *lol*

 

Honestly I've given this some consideration. To the point that I have a manual and will ultimately get my 'permit'. More on that in a bit. Trucking, like motorcycles, at least for me, is something that never completely goes away inside a person. I still know a few people involved in various aspects of the industry. One of them is an independent who pulls a dry box and has a rather unique deal with a carrier out of Georgia. He has offered to let me make a trip or two with him once I have secured a 'permit' to get back in the swing of it and then use his equipment to take the driving test in. Trust me, I am giving this serious consideration.

The reason I have considered going to a school, and the particular one I'm looking at is two fold;

1.) At this early point in my search I've yet to find a small company (hopper or otherwise) that would do as you mention. I very well may in the coming weeks, but as of yet, no soap.

2.) The school I'm looking at is a local, and I mean just a few miles up the road local, community college. The program appears to be sound, it is funded by the county and state, and the cost is, when compared to others I've looked at, down right cheap. To the tune of just over $800 as compared to the $3,000~$4,000 that I'm seeing, even from some carriers. So in the grand scheme of things, you and both having the same "logic" about getting hired being...easier(?) for a grad, if that doesn't pan out at least I'm not out a ton of money. And really, after 20 years it wouldn't hurt me to get a little seat time. This school requires that before I sign up I already have a 'permit', a DOT health card and have passed a drug screening. So it appears that one way or another, I'm going to be getting a 'permit' pretty soon. *lol*

Wellll, really, what does? And I'm seriously not being a smart ##### here. I deeply appreciate yours and everyone else's input. Truth of the matter is though I have been seeing a decline in my paycheck and benefits for some time now. In fact, I took a pay cut to get out of trucking and into the motorcycle business, and in 10 years while working at 3 different dealerships under 7 different owners I haven't had any sort of health insurance, retirement and only twice even had sick days or paid vacations. Ahhh, but I loved it. Had to, right?

Then too, I have been out of work for more than half a year and drawing unemployment, which may be running out very soon. It's maddening and downright discouraging when I have looked into what many of you are calling these "driver mills" and what they do to 'trainees'. Most don't even pay what I'm drawing on unemployment for the first couple of months. Sad, very sad. But even that will be better than nothing. not to mention I'm tired of this $h!t and ready to get back to being productive and having something meaningful to do.

Thanks. Really, thanks a lot. I got your PM and will be responding to it shortly.