Looking for "Experienced Drivers Advice"

Good Evening everyone. A little about myself first.

I am a local Seattle, Wa driver for a major equipment rental company. I have worked for them for 7 yrs now and have been driving for them for 6. I currently drive an 80k dovetail style lowboy, and also have experience with a 105k detach lowboy. I'm sure people are familiar with the type of responsibilities this job entails and what type of equipment I haul, but just for info... I load and unload all my own loads, including oversize, heavy tracked machines, front end loaders and wheeled vehicles such as CDL dump trucks, stake beds and pickup trucks. Not to mention everything you can think of used in the construction industry. I'm currently awaiting return of my background check to allow me to obtain my HAZMAT, Tanker and Double/Triple endorsements.

This is the driving job I was brought up in. I really know nothing else. I spend most of my time on city streets and in tight residential areas. I am always home every day. Even when my days can sometimes stretch up to to 15hrs out of state and back. I'm ready to make a change.

My goal? Alaska and Heavy Haul. The Dalton. I'm well aware of my limitations in certain areas of experience. I've chained a few times but that's it. I have no delusions about the difficulty of the type of driving I look to work towards but these things are not a deterrent at all. I enjoy and look for challenges.

I believe my best course of action at this point is to move to a company that will give me more opportunity in OTR winter conditions and with heavier and longer loads to more fully expand my experience. Obviously Carlile Transportation is on my wish list for future employers. The fact that they have a Tacoma office even puts them further up on my list. System Transport out of Spokane also caught my eye. Any advice on how to proceed with my goal would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and keep the greasy side down!

 

Yeah. Pretty much as I suspected. I was thinking Carlile because at the point they feel I am ready to drive in Alaska (not the Dalton) JUST Alaska, I will already be with a company that services that. I expect to have to put in plenty of time on Alaska Highways before I am even considered for The Dalton.

Thanks.

 

Ive watched it a few times and got sick of it quick. It just TV garbage. I have a buddy who moved south from Alaska and have had many conversations bout the driving up there. I know there are a lot of wanna be kids out there who desire that job just because of the tv show but I assure you that's not me. I just want an extremely challenging job. And... I want to live in Alaska and make the most money driving trucks possible.

Thanks for your advice DEMO.

 

I was debating even mentioning The Dalton because of the slander that show has caused. Ive been a lurker on here for a bit now and have seen some of people ridiculous attitudes and notions people have about doing that job.

 

I really do appreciate that DEMO. Sounds like you make a living challenging yourself. Right up my alley.