Am I out of my mind for wanting to do this ?

You still considering at Windy Hill? Plans the same; Florida/Wisconsin?

 

Looks like you remembered my first postings in May. Thanks.

I spoke with Windy Hill back then and they wanted me to have the CDL-A in hand, which is fine. In the past months my plans have changed. I am writing this from Florida, but it looks like I am headed to the northern climes at the wrong time of year. As one clothing company has said, there is no such things as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.

I (for whatever reason) have a high interest in flatbeds. I have been doing my due diligence on company research and training opportunities etc. For example I have read some positive stories about Millis Transfer, but I am not wanting to go dry van. To cut several long stories short I have decided to go with Roehl. The home my wife and I purchased in 2012 is less than 40 miles from their Iron Mountain, MI terminal and they are hiring flatbed drivers. The remoteness of our home puts me out of practical reach of the other major flatbed companies.

In January of this year my accountant recommended that I become a Florida citizen just on the income tax savings alone. I got a FL DL in June. As I am headed back to Wisconsin I have a bit of juggling to do.

Current Plan (10/28/2017 at 21:55 EDST. subject to change) consists of the following:

Acquire CDL training in Florida. The two schools I am looking at are Roadmaster in Tampa and Tampa Truck Driving School. I spoke with both and told them I would not be looking for job offers from their regular customers. I want the flexibility of no forced contract with anyone. I am looking at getting this done between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Can't start earlier, first grandchild is due 11/08.

Move back to Wisconsin in January (yeah, I know, pretty silly).

Reacquire my Wisconsin driving privileges. I will be calling them this week to find out what might be required of me regarding the CDL move.

Start with Roehl after CDL is squared away. The recruiter said I couldn't train in their trucks with the FL DL. Realistically I would start mid to late January.

Hit the road with Roehl. An intriguing aspect is that they have some interesting home time plans. As I am receiving social security I do not have dollar one pressures. I also have a decent IRA from my profit sharing retirement funds from my previous employers that I can draw upon if necessary. Except for utilities, insurance, and credit card spending (paid in full each month) we have no bills. Home and vehicles paid for.

That's my plan for now.

Thanks for listening. What did I forget? (except that it is frapping cold in Wisconsin in the winter, LOL)

 

Go get them brother, I am 44 and was in the Marine Corps as a kid, have a kinda successful mowing and plowing business. I got my cdl about 5 years ago from a guy I know with a truck, hit my permit, drove a little and passed my test. About a month ago I sold my plow business and bought a truck and flatbed.. made my first run last week.. I was scared, couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, straight up nerves. I know I can't cut grass the rest of my life and I have been self employed long enough that I can't go punch a time clock. I am sure the nerves will pass with experience. I guess what I am telling you is you can spend your life talking about not being happy about what you do, or you can jump in the pool and try to swim.. the people on this forum are great and have helped me with every question and I look forward to meeting some of them on the road.. good luck and God bless you brother!

 

Seems as though you have it figured out. Best wishes.

 

Thanks. I'd be interested if you have the time and interest to hear about what decisions you made on purchasing your equipment, getting your insurance, etc. I saw your other post about going with Mercer. Good luck to you as well.

 

Chinatown said "Seems as though you have it figured out. Best wishes."

Thank you very much, I appreciate your good will. We will know in a couple of months if I have indeed figured it out.

Cheers

 

I will help any way I can

 

AC is more my speed, but in any event, the PI will always be my favorite place in the world. Actually, if I was single, I'd be in the US trucking 6 months a years, and spending the other 6 months in the PI laying on a beach somewhere. I gave this advice to two young truckers recently and they looked at me strangely. Their best response was, "Do they have ATMs there?" LOL!

Cheers, brother!

 

Lots of truckers do that; some post on here. I was at the embassy one time in China and there were 2 other truckers there. We spent a few days together with our women and enjoyed the vacation.