New from NC

Hi folks.

Just getting active on the board after spending the last month or so reading through the archives. Looking for a career change at 42.

Former corporate desk jockey, land surveyor, photographer, outdoor enthusiast, motorcyclist, skydiver, and retail drone for both grocery and pharmacy. I've dealt with truck drivers as a receiver for a good portion of my retail career. Seen all kinds and dealt with some pretty miserable loads/drivers.

I like variety and something tells me I probably should have investigated driving a long time ago. I mean I once considered living in a campershell vehicle and traveling from dropzone to dropzone like a gypsy, packing rigs for jump tickets and the occasional meal. Just to be able to see the country and experience new things all the time.

Anyway, it looks like trucking is about like most other industries I've been in or investigated; a lot of pitfalls and a lot of unhappy people, but also a lot of good folk and a lot of satisfaction for those who truly enjoy what they do and take the steps to find a good fit for themselves.

I'll be hanging around for a while and reading a lot more. The epic threads from PharmPhail and several others have been unbelievably captivating. I don't plan to take any action right away, it will probably be six months to a year before I commit to a school and seek my first driving job. I have a few companies that I'm watching closely on the boards here, there are also a few small-med operations near me that I'll be checking out as well.

Thanks to all of you who have done such a great job documenting your time in school/training and your first months/years on the road. The insight has been amazing. See you around the boards...

 

BTW, I noticed another member or two are former skydivers but, upon searching the archives, I haven't found any posts about drivers who still jump. Would be interested in hearing from anyone who drives that does still jump, even occasionally. I have been considering getting back into the sport (been inactive since 1996) and think that driving and jumping might actually mesh fairly well, especially considering that most DZs are in areas easily accessible to big trucks, with plenty of parking, and many DZs already have showers, bunks, and food on-site.

So any active jumpers lurking about that drive also? Would love to hear about your experiences.

I trained and jumped at Carolina Sky Sports in the early 90's, which has since been closed to civilian jumpers. I was into simple fun jumping, no RW or team stuff. Would just like to get back into it for the fun of it - nothing beats a sunset load or a hop n pop for unwinding at the end of a day.

 

Thanks for the welcome.
The employment history is not a problem - only have worked for 3 employers really since my first job in high school, although merger and acquisitions kinda bumped that number up. One company I worked for was under different ownership 4 times in 6 years. But I never left a company on bad terms. Left my corporate gig after giving a one month notice and even stayed on two weeks longer to train my replacement.

Driving record is clean. No criminal background. Only thing that may be an issue anywhere would be the three periods of no employment. I've taken extended time off three times in my life, all between jobs, and each time was just to have some down time and enjoy life. I've never been one to want to wait until "retirement" to have a life. Being single and without kids, mortgage, or car payments means I've had the opportunity to sit it out for a while without too much worry. Although, looking at some of the security and TWIC info now, any unemployment seems to draw scrutiny. Not a problem, but possibly an unexpected hassle.

 

Thanks for the heads up. Love all the new video and photos these folks are getting now with the small digital gear. I actually wanted to get into video work when I started jumping, everything was still film back then and big and bulky, and HEAVY. Norman Kent and Tom Sanders were the two who made the biggest impression on me at the time. Now it seems like there are too many great jumper/photographers to even keep up with.

And wingsuits were just coming out when I left the sport. Very few people flying them. Would love to eventually give one a run. Maybe one day, eventually. I'll leave the BASE to the more daring. I still like my comfort zone/altitude! Like you said, it's an expensive endeavor, which is one reason why I fell out after a while. Too many hobbies, not enough rich relatives.