steps to take now

I finished a 34 yr career in the elec. utility industry and wanted to drive for a year or so to keep working at something. I wanted to be OTR since I was a young man. I love driving and I am natural to it (does not even feel like a job) and have been OTR for a little over a yr and am in between now. Because of bad choices I will have to drive for the remainder of my life and want to make an informed choice now. I was a company driver for Swift and then was asked by a "friend" to team drive with him, an O/O contracted with Swift. I jumped at this opportunity however with in a week my so called friend was a DR. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde! So I found another O/O within weeks and talked to him two weeks before changing. Wow what an eye opener to be a driver in this environment. This second man was not financially stable or responsible and was always behind paying me and when I left after 5 wks he gave me a $500 check dated that day and another for a little more post dated two wks. I am too trusting because it looks like he will stiff me on both. Maybe u out there will think I am too stupid to even talk to :smt102LOL I believe a smaller company would be a better fit for me? I have heard car haulers make better money? I have wondered about moving companies? I have passed my hazmat for my Texas license but have not did the second part to start the finger print and back ground check and it can only be done in Texas and I went to my family to stay to save money while looking for a new OTR position. My daughter’s father-in-law 30 yrs OTR said he would go to Fed Ex or Ups first but they require hazmat. In this first year I have found out not to jump around and want to make a better choice based on better information. Besides applying on line etc. are there ways to advertise to attract a smaller fleet to reply? Sorry I did not think this would turn into a novel! :smt102

 

Mr. Gas Hauler thanks for the rapid reply. I have a Tx CDL and was making El Paso my home port for the year I drove for Swift. However I am in SLC Utah now with a friend. I can relocate any where I do not think it matters as I am not tied to anyone or any place. I was approached by Swift to go O/O but my math shows I would have to have 2700 miles a wk to match same money as a company driver at the same miles. Since May at Swift I do not know of any solo that gets more that 2250-2300. Maybe 2500 once every 5 wks. And all the companies that I would go O/O would get their money off the top and if the freight is real slow maybe an O/O would see no money some weeks!! I have a small company in mind but what they pay is lower than most @31 w/ 1yr, but I am interested because they are small and have miles. I wnt to get working but will not jump to soon. Thanks