If I just pack up and head out there...

Good luck. Your ducks are in a row and you are marching them in the correct direction. Keep us posted.

 

been reading your post, i am also out here from Melbourne Florida, might i suggest hiring on with a smaller outfit at first as you may well be able to start work within a week of applying that will give you some money to tide you over until you find what you want, i am in Hobbs NM, its a little slow here right now so im looking at other places to go, its a bit of a catch 22, if you get a job near the big cities accommodation is cheaper but pay is less, the cheapest way to live is in your own RV or room share, some of the companies have man camps i have seen some in your current location, i have been here for a year now, i was lucky and found a job before i left Florida, that was with Schneider here in Hobbs, i know lots of people complain about them on here but for the 1st 6 months i was here it was great, my take home pay was $1240 a week salary for very little work of course they changed that and i left, not sure what your driving but if you have a pick up, i would suggest buying an rv or travel trailer when you can, then you will have the freedom to go anywhere and pay a somewhat reasonable housing cost, then when your done you can sell it, if i find anything good here in Hobbs let me know if you would like me to pass on the info to you.
anyway i wish you all the very best of luck.
Rich

 

out of curiosity, are you just driving around looking to find work anywhere? Or do you have an area or city you are looking to work in? I am curious because i might go out there soon, too. However, i don't think i can afford just driving around all over texas. I got it narrowed down to a few cities, but i'm wondering what your reasoning is for going to the areas you're going to? Also, before you left to texas, did you try applying online to see if you can get an interview when you get there?

 

When I moved to Florida two years ago and I switched my hazmat over, the license I was given had "provisional" hazmat on it for 3 months, to give them time for their background check, etc; so I had my hazmat continuously. You may want to ask if Texas is that way too. It makes sense, since you already have hazmat, and so had the checks done here in Florida. I still had to take the test and get fingerprinted, but you have to do that anyways.
Good luck on your new venture.

 

as far as i know you can drive on your FL license for 90 days, in NM i changed my license after 3 months, did not need fingerprints as FL and NM have an arrangement, not sure about Texas, before you can change your license thay need to see proof of residency, 2 utility bills, can not use po box.............

 

There's a job fair tomorrow for the company that hauls crude for Philips 66. Listen to the radio for details because I don't remember the rest. They're advertising $&0-$90 K per year.