well i think my days behind the wheel are coming to a end.

[Mackman]

Well i just wanted to tell you all i faxed my app. to K-Sea a tugboat company out of NY. I think am going to give that a try a buddy of mine been working for them for a while and got me in to it. Am only 23 and just don't really see a good life behind a wheel of a truck. My dad who is a O/O is really pushing for me to get out of trucking big time so i have his support 100%. Well i will let you guys know how things go i hope they call back fast.
Tugboat company website
www.k-sea.com

[Twilight Flyer]

We had a driver a while back got out of trucking to become a tugboat captain. Last I heard, he was absolutely loving running up and down the Mississippi.

[hstern]

"Lt. Dan: Now hear this! Private Gump here is gonna be a shrimp boat captain. Well, I tell you what, Gilligan, the day that you are a shrimp boat captain, I will come and be your first mate."

Good luck with your new career....

[Mackman]

Well am starting out as a deckhand the pay ain't to bad from what am told it should be around $215 a day. Work 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. Or 2weeks on 1 week off. AM going to go with 2on/2off I all ready have a p/t job line up at a Harley dealer by my house for when am home. The way i look at it is if i don't like it i can all ways come back to truck'in.

[solo379]

Good luck! 8)

[randy569]

I don't blame you one bit. I have to admit, I have been working on a project that, if it pans out, I'm gonna quit the road after 17 years. It has just gotten way too ridiculous out there. I have just about reached my limit, and this Mexican trucking companies being able to run the entire US deal is just about enough for me to call it quits.

Good luck to you. I wish the best for you.

Randy

[Mackman]

thanks randy

Me and you kinda think alot in my eyes i was not around in the "good old days" of trucking but it is going down hill fast. I hate all the rules and regs. Mexicans are just making it worst. So while am young am going to try different things. hopefully i can find something else i like. I do like trucking alot i love driving but in the long run i think it is kinda a dead end job. You can barely make a living in a normal trucking job. Oh yea and no room to move up in a company. Once your a driver all ways a driver. Most of the time.

[Manicmechnic]

Good luck Mackman, I heard you have to have a Coast guard certificate to be a deck hand. Any truth that you need some kind of certificate?

[Jackrabbit379]

He'll be back in the truck in due time. That itch will never be scratched enough. :P

Seriously Mackman, best of luck to ya. Keep us updated on how it feels, sailing the seas. Arrrghhh. :P

[Roadhog]

Good for you Bro. Sounds like a plan...and I hope it works out. Please check in and let us know how it's going. We hear enough Truckin' stories...and not enough other adventures. Can you run a troll line fer lunch?
Careful you don't get any crabs....

[marylandkw]

Good luck Mackman.

Whatever you do, make sure you keep up your medical card and don't loose your CDL. That way you always have an option 2.

[Mackman]

Good luck Mackman, I heard you have to have a Coast guard certificate to be a deck hand. Any truth that you need some kind of certificate?

Yea that is the truth it is called a MMD or Z-card both the same thing. MMD= Merchant Mariners Document
Its good for 5 years looks like a DL. There are difference rating like a class B or A cdl. I got the lowest rating just enough to get on the boat for some exp.
website for MMD
http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/

Thanks everyone i will let you know how its goes am giving them to the end of the week if i don't hear anything am going to give them a call. The buddy that works for them gave me a inside # to call if i don't hear from them first.
I will all ways keep my cdl to drive for my dad on the weekends sometimes. Hey jackrabbit you are right i just might me back i got diesel in my blood . But i will give this a try there will all ways be someone looking for drivers if i don't like it and want to come back to trucking.

[Mackman]

Well i got a call form a girl at K-sea. I have a interview for Monday Mrach 5th. at 10:30am. In Staten Island N.Y. Any one know how long of a ride it would be from philly to staten island???

[Manicmechnic]

http://www.mapquest.com/

[Mackman]

randy check pm

[geeshock]

Good luck, I thought of something similar once I left the Navy. Of course I was thinking of a biger ship sailing acros that big pond.

[Mackman]

Well i think am going to take the job. Got back today from NY and they said i have the job if i want it. Training pay is 120 a day up to 4 weeks. After that it goes to 215.61 a day. In less then a year if i study and take a tanker man course from the Coast Guard and became an able seaman i can make 289.00 a day. So it can only go up in $$$$. let you all know how it goes. Oh and i will more then likely work a 3week on and 3week off. I am all most sure i do have a pt driving job 17.00hr to do during my 3 weeks off if i want it. That 215.61 a day is around 40k a year to start off and only working 1/2 a year don't sound to bad with no exp.

[Deus]

Good luck, I thought of something similar once I left the Navy. Of course I was thinking of a biger ship sailing acros that big pond.

I think that sounds like a fun job. I love the sea though....

[continental]

If you only listen to your father on one thing in life, let this be the one!
Good luck to you and enjoy your newfound freedom.

[Mackman]

well here is an update.

I went and took the drug test and 3 hr long phiscal. Passed all that was waiting on backround check to come back. A week goes by and i called them the lady told me they whre still waiting on the backround check. I called 4 or 5 times got a voice mail each time and never been called back that was like a month ago give or take. Everything was going good. I know there is nothing on my record. So i called my buddy who works for them he said he will call the head guy of HR and find out what is going on. That was 3 days ago.