Just a Wannabe.....For Now

Hi all.... I have been sucking up as much information from this site as possible and have finally decided to join. Also, thanks to the countless posters who have enlightened me to the way things really work.

Im 27 years old I have been working with my Uncle for 2 years now as his helper and really enjoy what we do. He has a 2005 Freightliner M2 with a 26 foot box (I know I know its not a "Big Boy" truck but it is perfect for what our needs are and driving in the city.)

He owns a moving company (high end moves for interior designers, showrooms, and stupid rich people) and we deliver freight for a local warehouse when things get slow (like now in the winter time). I make pretty good money, even as a helper, its not easy, and Im not complaining.

Typical days for moving freight for the warehouse are 12-14 hours long and include around 8 stops. We will unload through the first thresh hold and then go on to the next stop. We will be delivering anything from pallets of lighting and toilet paper to cabinetry that is not on a pallet. We get to the warehouse at 5am and load up ourselves and are on the road by about 7am. We get paid 50% of what our warehouse makes on the load. I dont know what the typical deal is, but we are doing pretty good with this pay rate, even considering the large amount of physical labor that is involved

We typically drive within an hour or 2 of Chicago (Actually OHare Airport) and return home every night.

Working with him for 2 years has given me a really good idea of what I want to do. I eventually plan on owning my own box truck, or 2, or 3, and doing pretty much the same thing I am now, but on my own with my own helper. I know my Uncle wont be mad or upset because we have already talked about it. Hell he is actually encouraging me to do it. (There is NO incentive for him to want me to own my own truck)

Either way I just wanted to say Hi to everyone, give some information about myself and what I do.

Thanks again all.
May the coffee be strong, the roads clear, and the receivers open.
-Mike