Looking at possibilities....

I came here looking for possibilities...

I have a couple local jobs that look promising. Get to that later...

I have been driving a rear load dumpster trash truck for 7 years. New guy bought the company. Decided he didn't want me before even knowing me. I'm collecting unemployment. State Job office got me a grant to attend Truck Driving School at the local Jr. College. Also got me guaranteed unemployment pay while in school.
I'm 57 years old. I had a very high paying career. No way I can do that anymore. Far too demanding, with living out of town. I almost died from Diabetes, 12 years ago. Was causing weight loss. They have no way to address that. Either it stops, or you die. When it did stop with me. I was eaten up badly. Rehabilitated myself. Have learned much in health. I was at a point that I could barely take driving a trash truck. Too much sitting. At least I'd get in and out of the truck about 60 times a day and do something.
Through all this, health has gone down from what I had rehabilitated from. But have learned much better diet, etc. I can handle sitting longer now. There was a time I could in no way tolerate over the road trucking. Now I can do a certain amount. But am too wise and know to be careful and take care of myself.

My target for work has been with a smaller local company hauling gasoline. They do have a little local. Also some work overnights into neighboring states. I have input and am confident they will hire me out of school.
I have been told a company will call me back around Labor Day. A nationwide trash company. Claiming a $5k sign on bonus and 2 to $3 an hour raise over what I was getting. I'm not depending at all on them. This company, in the past has had a bad reputation of being unstable. Not counting on anything. I don't count on local intelligence in employers. Have been exposed to too much BS here. I know better.

Now I came here looking for possibilities. I don't start school until Nov. 6th. Done Dec. 20th. I know if I had a few hours with a tractor trailer. I could pass the test. I passed my Class B with no experience whatsoever before taking the test. But I don't want to do that. I want that class time, learn a tractor trailer well, for six weeks.
I have everything but my Class A. Have Class B, Hazmat, Tanker, Passenger endorsements. Have my Class A learners permit. Just did my DOT physical in July. I'm set for school. I do think any intelligent company would consider me as more than no experience.

Just wondering what I should look for, up front with the gasoline hauling job. I have time. Don't know if they are good to work for?
I come on here. See things like Magnum, out of Fargo. I wonder if I could get something regularly going from Fargo to Denver area? I live right in between. Might work out good? I'd even be willing to do a little long haul over the holidays. Make up for others who want to be with family.

One thing I do fear with the gasoline job. They have hauling in Wyoming, also Colorado. But Wyoming? Talk about Ice Road Truckers during winter! Wyoming doesn't plow their roads!

Just hoping to get some input. I have time to looky loo and consider.

 

Rapid City, SD

 

Yes.... Trimac is always advertising. I think the reason is that the work isn't steady. Can get tough during winter.
I know a couple owner operators who do work for them.
I do want to take a step above most workers around here. Hopefully more intelligent work place. Past work has been a joke. Only half decent job I had here was with the old owner of the company that got bought...I was (basically) laid off.
I'm hoping the gas hauling would work out as better than others?
I used to work a very dangerous career. I was a step above.

 

Thank you for the suggestions. Definitely keep them in mind.
I do admit that I think I could handle over the road now. But, definitely have things I must do for health. People here would find my practices interesting, to say the least. Like drinking 1/2 gallon of filtered water a day... with sea salt, magnesium, and other minerals in it. Makes a huge difference. Definitely have to have a kettlebell, or clubbell with me.
I do like the idea of these over the road companies allowing me to bring a pet.

But still.... You think I'd be best off with the local company hauling gasoline? I'm thinking what they want most is; 3 pairs of two day, out and back, overnight, a week. Home every other night. That isn't all they have right now.

 

I just bothered to pull my head out. Checked around where I live. I'm within one mile of two truck terminals. Old Dominion, and Magnum.
I know darn well. They're running back and forth to Denver. Then going long, east and west.
My prospects are looking better.
I think it wise to keep the gasoline hauling at the top of the list though.

 

Have a question that I didn't want to intrude on another thread with this newbie question.
Is it normal to ignore your present DOT medical card and have to get a physical every time you get a job?
I just had my DOT physical in July. Didn't think I would need another for my school or getting another job soon. I do have the 'long form' on it.

I do want to thank this site in general. Gives me a whole lot to research, think about, and ask questions.