An experience story, and the mistakes involved. Part 1

Perhaps I should title this "How not to go trucking"

Anyway, in case anyone is interested. I wrote it out basically to show the types of mistakes that one can make. I've broken it up to make it a bit easier to read it.

Took early retirement from the Post Office in 9/'96, was burnt out as a manager. Wasn't starry eyed about trucking, but did think it would be the complete opposite of what I had been doing. Also knew I loved to drive, from past experiences. Lived in MA at the time.

Signed on with CR England and went to their school in NJ for 2 weeks. Finished the school, but left after seeing and talking to lots and lots of drivers.

Mistake #1 - Didn't talk to many CRE drivers.

Went home and went to a driving school in Bridgwater MA. Finished that and got my CDL A. Researched what I could (info on the 'net wasn't as extensive as it was today), applied to a few companies, got accepted by Barr-Nunn. That was my start.

Barr-Nunn - They usually didn't hire from my area but they were negotiating a contract. Said I would get home about every 2 weeks, after training. They didn't get it, and home time was going to be about once a month, if that. So I said 'No thanks' and came home.

Mistake #2 - Not learning more about companies that had more freight going in and out of MA (or at least going into)

A bit later, after more research, bought my own truck, a straight with 24' box and good size sleeper and signed on with a expediter company. Made excellent money for about 9 weeks, then the bottom fell out. At that time, most expediter companies were hauling primarily for the auto industry. We hauled 90% GM. When GM went on strike the spring of '97, that killed me and a lot of others.

Mistake #3 - Buying more truck than I needed (and new) and not having a large enough cash reserve.

Then got on with a local flatbed/heavy haul outfit. Made good money, learned a lot. But...They started to push me to run slightly left of legal, suggested (in a off shoot way) I might want to keep 2 log books. Didn't want to get into that situation, so left.

Maybe mistake #4 - Perhaps I should have stayed on and insisted on running legal, and see if they canned me.

Got on with Metal Transfer, Oswego NY. Was drawn in by their nice looking Petercars Really liked pulling a covered wagon, and working flatbed. I had to fight to get home time, and when I did, my day or 2 would stretch to 4 or 5, waiting for them to find me a load out. They wouldn't dead head me any real distance. Other than that, I liked working for them.

Mistake #5 - Don't sign on just because the nice trucks they have are one of your main reasons.

While home one weekend, saw a ad for a local flatbed outfit, contacted them and got hired. Ran for them till 9/'98, then went back to the PO (long story).

 

Fast forward to 3/'08. Had moved from MA to VA, then to FL for a year, then to NC. Left the PO again in 2/01, worked a few different jobs mostly retail. Hours were being cut where I was at, and I had the itch to drive again. That's when I found out about the 'recent experience' b-s. What a crock. So, finding out I couldn't get on with anyone local, I contacted national fleets.

Mistake #6 - If you've been out of a seat for more than a year (or sometimes less), don't waste time, just go and at least get a refresher, if not a complete school. Do, however, explore community colleges that offer CDL training.

Most wanted me to attend a school or get a refresher somewhere. Of course, any that had their own school said they would be glad to take me and put me through their school (for the price) Finally, Maverick accepted me, said I would just have to go out with a trainer after going through their orientation and securment training. Went out there in 3/98 and liked most of what I encountered. The driver training manager was a dick. Only spent 4 days with my trainer, he said I was good to go and we headed back to AR for me to test out. However, a family situation had come up at home, talked it over with my trainer and a couple of instructors at HQ, they agreed I should go home until situation was fixed.

Mistake #7 - Although not always possible, make sure home and family situation is as stable as possible.

Then found out Mav didn't want me back. Being sort of desperate for a job, I signed on with Schneider, bulk division. Went through school, then out with trainer. Same family situation came up, plus a health issue I had got worse. Tried to get Schneider to switch me to van out of Charlotte, NC and have some time to deal with family and health issues. Wouldn't talk to me, recruiter wouldn't return calls. So I left. Family issue was worse than before, and I took on caretaking of my Grandchildren. I did get the health issue resolved.

Mistake #8 - If you have any sort of medical problem that might, even remotely, become a bigger problem, deal with it before hand. Mine was acid reflux. At home, it was fairly easy to control. Out on the road, with such a erratic schedule, it became a nightmare. I ended up having the surgery for it, no more problem.

 

Currently - Family/Granchildren situation is over, a year and a half later. Didn't work during that time period, so no recent work experience. Jobs, of any kind, very scarce in the local area. I'm applying for anything I can, but I would like to be driving again.

One option is to look for a expedite fleet owner looking for a driver and doing expediting again. Basic problems with that is longer time away from home (3 to 6 weeks), and the time doing it doesn't count as tt experience and the OTR time doesn't usually count with tt companies..

Second option is to try and contact smaller companies and see if they will give me a shot, before I talk to any of the bigger companies.

Third option is to see if I can go through school (for the 4th time!) at the local cc, if I can get it paid for. But I don't know if wife and I can hold out financially while I do that.

I know the situation sucks out there for drivers, with low frieght. Drivers who are used to getting decent paychecks ($700 or better) and who's budgets are based on that, are hurting. For me, if I can take home $400. a week, we could get by. And if I can get on with someone, and only make that much now, I'd be doing much better if and when freight picks up. I would like to do flatbed, and I'd like to do regional, if possible. Home time isn't critical, but at my age, it's nice not to be gone 2 or 3 weeks (or more) at a time. With regional, I might get to run by the house a bit more often.

Of course, there is a Option 4, in that I throw in the towel and give up any idea of driving. I probably will he I get too much more frustrated, but for now, I'll keep trying. There are things I found I don't like about truck driving, but the things I like outweigh them.