Older (60) Retired Military (Marines) Getting Into Trucking

I've posted here before as I've mulled over my options and conducted due diligence in doing my homework and research.

I've been in the automotive parts assembly ~ manufacturing business for the last six years, 20 years manufacturing altogether.

I've done enough of looking into trucking and various aspects to know you can get to the point of "paralysis by over analysis. And at some point you've simply have to dive right in and just go for it.

The plant I work at has gotten to the point to where we're working less than 8 hours a day most days, and four day weeks every other week. We're off for Thanksgiving for nine days and then back for two weeks, possibly three for Christmas. After paying my student loan payment? I'm neting a take home of about $250. If I weren't a retired E-7 (Gunnery Sergeant) and didn't have my Life insurance through TriCate, ($26 a month premiums) I'd be seriously up tha' creek without a paddle.

Money's tight, times are hard and things at the plant are steadly going South quick , fast and in a hurry like.

Time for me to bust a move!

My first choice is Millis Transfer. I've yet to find a single bad thing really other than the usual to be expected belly aching, whining and "Yea but,........ your going to find no matter where you go.

My 2nd is Prime which I'm not so crazy about. Obviously I can do the whole slam, bam, get tha' Hell out of town, fast paced "Boot Camp* training after 20 years in tha' Marine Corps. I've read enough to know go in, keep your eyes and ears, and your mouth shut all the while doing what your told when your told.

My 3rd Choice is Swift. (See above about Prime)

I'm prepping 24~7 now studying the Alabama CDL as if it we're a new Gospel fresh from the burning bush off of the mountain!

I'm watching videos on YouTube about trucking, backing up, pre trip, etc.

I'm sending off for an. Official certified copy of my birth certificate.

Sending off for a new copy of my social security card.

Scheduling myself for an eye exam, with the the intention of getting two pair of Buddy Holly ~ BCG's (Birth Control Glasses).

Scheduling myself for a Commercial DOT physical with my GP, who is certified to conduct such, and does so for Wiley Sanders truck lines, (I live in the same town as he and his truck line is based out of

My my health insurance should cover most of it? Although I don't know if it will cover my drug screening part of it? It'll cover the dye exam portion, but not the actual prescription glasses

I intend to have my CDL Learner's Permit and DOT "Medical Card (I know it's no longer a actual medical card)

I intend to pre pay on as many bills and save as much money as I can BEFORE going to one of the company sponsored training schools aka "boot camps"

The ultimate goal is to get into trucking "school" get through the initial three to four weeks , do the remaing weeks of my twelve weeks, obtain my CDL license and then go solo OTR until I've fulfilled my contractual obligation OR have worked, it down to where I can just cash out and pay the pro rated sum, and see what other opportunities there are once I get to the other side of that mountain?

The wife and I are relocating to Western Mississippi just as soon as we can. South of Jackson MS about twenty miles North of the La ~Ms line just off of I 55

My choices in prioritized order

#1 Dry Van

#2. Reefer

#3. Flat Bef

#4. Tanker

I've no ambition at this time to EVER become other than a company driver nor O/O

As I said my 1st choice is Millis Transfer but I've seen where Alabama is within they're hiring area and where Mississippi is and then isn't. I know that changes by the day, week, month, season etc.

I'm hoping to do all of this within, the next six (6) months OR sooner. However I don't want to rush into half cooked either. I believe in being as proactive as possible.

"Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance! "

Check, check again and the By God check again!

Knowing full well that at somd point if you've got a good 50~60 % of the necessary information on the subject at hand? Take a leap of faith and go for it"

Any comments, suggestions, opinions or otherwise "News I Could Certainly Use " would greatly be appreciated

Thanks in advance

Gunny

 

Any suggestions as to ~

#1 Get into the trucking business

# 2 Transistor ~ relocate from Alabama to Mississippi with a job in trucking would be gratefully appreciated

 

Thanks for the info CT. Good guy I know about try the other two companies you've posted about other than Milis will most definitely be checking into them!

I'm out of Willey Sanders operational center for his truck lines. I worked for him in one of his other companies x 6 years.

NO WAY I WOULD EVER WORK FOR Mr Sanders any way, shape, form nor fashion. I got thrown out the plane, off the train and under the bus!!

The ONLY way I'm going to get a definitive answer about hiring on with Mills Transfer and then moving to Mississippi under their hiring umbrella is to call the recruiter and see which way the wind is blowing that particular day?

 

Thanks Max, that's "Do~Able" in the Montgomery metropolitan area I believe I'll look into that.

Millis aside, I'm not too crazy about the mega carriers and they're so called trucker bootcamps

I take work very seriously! And I always strive to be a professional no matter what job I have!

 

BTW C. T. Evrtgreen AL is about two hours +/- from where I currently live.

My biggest concern is 1st and foremost being a safe driver. I KNOW I've a minimum of a year before I can even begin to "think" to refer myself as driver let alone a Driver.

 

Definitely moving to Mississippi. Just a question of when and how