Hello from the Missouri Ozarks

I actually began as an OTR truck driver in 1990 for a year and a half, but then I returned to being a truck mechanic until the year 2000. I then returned to driving OTR for several companies pulling vans and reefers until 2005, when I took time off to find and buy real-estate and to get moved. I then chose to be a 10 wheeler dump truck driver for 2 excavating companies here in the hilly Missouri Ozarks for 3 years until the economy crashed.
I then returned to OTR trucking, but this time I was pulling a stepdeck for a company out of Colorado that sells lots of used railroad ties and landscaping materials. This was a bad company that only has 2 OTR trucks, so it probably isn't worth writing a report on. During this time I vastly improved my skid-loader operating skills since I had to load myself and other trucks with bundles of RR ties. I also hauled steel coils and other things during that time.
From late 2010 to early 2013 I pulled vans for a top-notched company out of Fremont, Nebraska. I left because I had hopes of becoming self-employed locally and building my own house. There was lots of interest in my mobile sawmill job as evidenced by the number of tabs that were torn off of my flyers, but hardly anyone actually hired me. The ones that did were happy with my work. My conclusion is that the people wanting to hire me just do not have the money right now. In the mean time I did take a few temp jobs, but that was all they were.
I left my last OTR trucking company on good terms, and I might just return to them, but I now am seeking to get into the oil fields where the money is at. I already had my tanker endorsement, but I just found out about the new fingerprint requirement to get Hazmat last week. The prints were also submitted last week, but apparently I'll have to wait a few weeks to get approved. I have no felonies and a very good driving record, so I fully expect to get approved. I'm going to try to take the Hazmat test tomorrow so that everything is in place. I'm then hoping to get a job in OK, TX, or CO hauling water or something and transfering over to hauling crude once I get the X endorsement. I wouldn't mind pulling a flatbed while I wait for the endorsement.

 

Update to my previous post: I have passed the HazMat test and I have also added and passed the doubles test to my tanker endorsement on my CDL. I'm just waiting for the TSA paperwork.