Hello out there!! My name is Randy, I'm 47 and live in Florence.SC. I'm single and live with my girlfriend and 2 cats. Most of my life was spent in the sales profession in a family business until about 7 years ago when I decided that I was tired of being stressed, burnt out, and not happy with day to day living. I went to trucking school, got my CDL with all endorsements and haven't looked back since. I drove for several companies until I decided to get into the local aggregate hauling business so I could be home every night and on weekends. Well, I finally found my calling. I drove for other companies for about 3 years and in May of last year I bought my own truck. Got me a 2000 Peterbilt tri-axle dump and have never been this happy in my life. I love to work everyday and I am now stress free and happy. I finally found a profession where I can be myself and enjoy life to the fullest. Its too bad that people have to live like slaves and dread living their miserable lives. I was almost one of those until I decided to go after my dreams. I just regret not doing this 25 years ago. You gotta go for what you want and it'll happen for you. Be careful out there and Good Luck.

hey there, been looking at this site for a few weeks now. Nickname and cb handle is JED, just like the hillbilly on TV. Married to my wonderful wife who has stuck with me through some very rough times and of course the good ones. 2 wonderful daughters, ages 4 and 2 1/2. I drive for a contractor with Fed Ex Ground...love it. Am going to buy his company in a few years. Look forward to making comments on topics in the future

Good luck here! There are several posters on the board that like to insult people for simply asking questions and if you side with me, you will be an out cast! So don't talk to me! This board is one that I say is only for looking at not asking information as you will either get a correct answer and someone will state they are wrong which ends up to a debate or you won't be answered at all! The first is the usual response! But good luck here, I hope you enjoy! I am always here to help in the logs area! I don't know much about the other regualtions , but I can find out some of the ohters the next day :lol:

Just spent a lot of time tyyping out my story and somehow got deleted. I type very slow,new to this computer thing. My butts tired so I,ll try another time.

My name is Thomas Aben and I've been driving since June 06. Not very long and can't give much advice, but have taken a lot and not taken some since I started school. I have been married for 4 years and have 3 children. A 10 yr old son, 3 yr old daughter and 1 yr old daughter.

I'm looking to get into Flatbed trucking. I've been working in the credit card industry for the last 7 years, can't take helping to nickel and dime hard working Americans anymore while my corporation gets richer and richer while outsourcing our jobs to India and Indonesia.

Need to get out on the road, pay my dues, work hard, and hopefully land a job where I am home most weekends per am about to get married.

Appreciate the info and advice on this forum.

:)

I'm David, Drove for 4 years till the last company (Navajo) decided They wanted me to drive Illegally and when I refused, I was let go, or they came got their truck and I had not worked since, and that was in Nov 7 2000. I am a disable Vet, and currently residing in the Tropics of the Philippines.

When I drove I pulled Dry Vans, Reefers, and Flatbeds. My best job was pulling a flat bed, for a local Company (Centery Granite) back home. Leave out Monday and get home on Friday. Leave loaded and come home empty. Bad part had 9 to 18 stops per trip and I had to unload myself. During the time I drove for them the Customers would call in on me, not to complain, but to give praises. I had to drive into Cementaries, and Funeral Homes to make my delieveries.. What made it fun was to drive into a Cementary and not touching the Grass with the trailer when making the turns.. Yep I even did a U turn in one in St Loius, Mo and only tipped the Grass with the trailer....

My shortest time at a company was one week, Long enough to go through Orintation, and go 200 miles and get the truck, and drive it back to the yard (Rocor).

I am currently on Disability, but I hate not working. I will be here in the Philippines till Oct the latest before I come back to the States. Then I may get back to work again, but I may wait till after May of 2008 so I will not have to worry about Child Support since the SS is paying it now, and my Daughter will be 18 then.

well my name is troy. i live on the tn/ al line. i have been happily married for 20 years & have 6 kids. yes 6... we have our own zip code. :D
i just recently child proofed the house. but the kids still find a way back in.
lol. i am driving the same truck i started in. going over 7 years now. hit 1 mil mi's last week without ever having any work done to truck. ever!! still have original clutch it it. dont know whats holding it together. i always serviced myself. i pull flat bed. this forum is very informative. especially the maintenance part. the people here are 1st class. my best to all.. troy

Hi there all, I have raised 2 boys and have 1 grandson. I am not yet OTR and am looking at making the career change within 3yrs. I have been around the boards reading every bit of informatin available and asking some of my own questions. Thanks to all who have been able to provide information.

I have looked into different driver training programs here and spoken to some drivers. I do have family members who drive.....not necessarily agree with what I aim to do though. Here in Ontario the CDL or AZ license does not require a training program to obtain it, however, most companies will not hire without it.

Boards are well maintained by all.

Be careful out there. Drive Safe!

Hi Everyone, my name is Mo & I was searching for trucking's companies, when I found this site, I will spend the next few days, reading every page & learning more, thanks to site owners & all the contributors, I have found the answers to most of my questions, take care.

New Members
 

Hi everyone. My name is Alan from western NC. After nearly 20 years as a driver, 10 of that with Mclane Company ('92-2002) I was placed on medical disability for diabetes. Insulin dependent. I decided to go into ministry and am currently a preacher, however, after 5 years of working on my health I am considering driving again. Basically, for the benefits. I have searched this site and the companies that will consider me after 5 years out of the truck are not getting very favorable responses. Might just keep preaching the Word!!

Im 28 years old and just graduated from truck driving school. Everything else can be summarized in myspace page, including pics of the rig I was driving in school.

www.myspace.com/josh1034

That's me!

Hi all, I am Mike and I have been driving trucks for 20yrs or so. Mainly part time. Drove log truck and dump truck some during college. It may sound wierd, but I now drive truck as second job. I work for a local LTL company in Portland, Oregon.
I did long haul with my dad for awhile and also worked for May Trucking for a very short time.

Hello everyone, my name is Amanda, my husband Chris and I came across this website while doing our research for entering the trucking field.

We plan on becoming a husband and wife team, and this website has been great at providing many answers to our many questions. Right now we live in Knoxville TN but when we become drivers, are planning to just be nomads, hehe.

My name is Mike. I'm a resident driver out of Goleta, Ca. (Santa Barbara). I've been driving a truck for 4 years now. 2 years OTR. Currently last 2 years as a resident driver here on the central coast. The transfer driver brings my load up out of Fontana and I deliver my stores as far north as Paso Robles.

Hello everyone,

My name is Kim and my husband drives otr for a comp out of Oklahoma. He also looks at this board and we were trying to look at the same time so I created my own name on here. I enjoy reading and responding on here. Thanks for letting the non driving other halfs take part. My hubby is on here as cclarke1268, or otherwise known as CJ.

I hope you all stay safe out there, and god bless!

Hello all. My name is Matt. Been driving about a year now. Been lurking here reading for awhile and found quite a bit of info. Currently running Dollar General with Werner and loving it.

Hi everyone, my name is Crystal and I've been married to my wonderful hubby David for 12 years. We have 2 girls ages 11 and 7 and one son age 6. David drove a gas tanker for 9 years but the company cut hours with no raise so now he is in Iowa on his 4th day of training with TMC. The change has been hard on us (me mostly lol) but I'm sure that we will make this work. Gotta have faith! I found this site when we were researching companies. I"ve got some good info from here but I have also heard the good the bad and the ugly.

Hi My name is Michelle (obviously) and my husband Chris is the driver in our family. Stumbled on this site looking for some answers for him and thought everyone looked fairly friendly! (yes I am naive lol).

Michelle

Hi, names Les, wife told me about this board and thought I might be interested. Grew up in a trucking family, between grandfathers, dad and self, we have about 80-90 years in trucking. I've been at it myself for 20 and still claim to be a rookie. I've hauled explosives on the ice roads of Alaska, taught drivers training in N.J. at Ft. Dix, hauled heavy loads in German (military) and have the pleasure of seeing the lower 48 through the windshield at others expense. Now running linehaul from Vegas to northern Arizona, Mon-Fri and home every weekend.

Hi, I'm Todd. Stopped here on a twisted hunt for information on trucking and trucks only to spend a couple hours in Dr. Who's story thread. I only have a B license (drove school bus and related company stuff (Ryder) from 1992-1998) but I keep is current in case I need a job suddenly. I found out I make more right now telling people how to run computers. I miss the driving (but not the cargo). :)

-Lego

Hello All!
 

Hello All...My name is Terri. I found this sight while searching for a CDL School and have now been hooked. My long road to OTR (short version) Grew up riding with my Dad in his Mac and have been a gypsy ever since. My youngest child will be 21 in Aug and it's now time to do what I want to do, not what I have to. Spent 20 years in Corporate America as a Computer Network Engineer, supported 5 kids through college. Downsized! Now it's Mama's turn! :D

Haven't signed on with any company yet but hope to by the end of this month. I'll be 48 July 25, have been single 22 years. I'm a loner by nature, can't work with a bunch of women (tried it, was told I have no people skills) :twisted: can't stand the bitchin' and whinin'! I'm well aware of the ups & downs of life on the road and have been wanting to do this since I was 10.

Glad to meet ya'll!

Rebel

my name is Justin, I'm 24 and from different parts of New York. after driving light and medium duty tow truck for the last 4yrs i have decided to make a career change. I am putting myself through NTTS in syracuse, ny in hopes to get a job over the road.

Greetings All...

I"m James... I stumbled upon this site googling info on trucking. I've been driving for 12 years. I'm currently in the Air Force, and am looking to get out, so I need to learn as much about the Civilian sector as I can in the next year. I'm an vet of the ever popular Operation Iraqi Freedom fight & the not so known Bosnia krap that went on years back. I've been around the world many many times and can't wait to actually get a house and settle down.

I'm 32, married with 3 kids, I live in Japan. I'll probably be moving back to North Florida (Crestview or Tallahassee) soon (or S. Ga). I want to purchase my own used Tractor Trailer. I understand I have much to learn and am looking to the vets out there for advice.

THanks,
James

Hi, my name is Alexa and I have been researching trucking. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I was talked out of it several times, but not this time. Oh, BTW I'm 32yrs old and I live in Burlington, NC.

Hello Everyone,

I am 48 years old, married with two daughters and one son. Two of the three in college.

I enjoy motorcycles, boating and fishing.

I am currently in Bardstown, KY but will be moving to Charleston, WV this coming Jan.

I owned my own trucking company up until the Army requested my services. I will be done in Jan and going back to being an O/O.

Take care and be safe.

greetings
 

Hello, I am 50 years old, an ex Pipefitter, my knees could not take any more from the construction industry. Besides I have always had a spot in my heart for truck driving. Now I am going to find out if I really do enjoy it. Of course my kids are all grown and gone. My wife of 18 years seems to be OK with the idea, and I think once she takes a few trips with me, she will like it also. I started out just thinking of a way to make a living but the more I have gotten into it the more intresting this has all become. I have gotten my schooling and my CDL and I am going to orientation with GTI on 8/2/07. Looking forward to seeing all of you out there.

Hi New here
 

Hi all just joined a week ago still looking for the right school/company then I will be on the road.

Alittle about me Names Paul age 37 live in NYC will be moving to VA in 3 months or so.Looking at going to centraltech and working for CFI.

Greetings to all;
Newbie to the game, did farm to market many moons ago, getting the CDL was a snap. Now I'm a older old f*rt, retired detective. My log book looks like a time line in a homicide investigation, but DOT and cops like it, so I'll stay with it my way.
Got lots to learn, really can't add much to any thread. But I will say that any fatal accident will have an investigator from the insurance co or plaintiff's attorney, and the police agencies going over your records with a fine tooth comb.
These outfits hire guys that are totally anal, and they can smell bs from a mile away.
So stay legal!
And don't ever let anyone push you to do anything illegal. "Just following orders" defense won't cut it, and may push a jury to place you in a situation where you can't breed or reproduce (Wink once if you get my drift).
On a more pleasant note, I've met a collection of saints and sinners while on the road, overall I find folks who travel with a pet, a dog or a cat seem happier and are better drivers.
Keep the shinny side up, bees on the bumper and bears off your fanny.
(Oh and don't forget to give a "bum" a buck or two now and then ... Angels will travel in many forms.........)

I am Daniel.

Hi, Everyone.

I'm 25, live alone in a shoddy one-bedroom apartment in east county San Diego, work as an IT Business Analyst (point of sale, materials management, promotions and events) for a local Native American resort , love music, riding my motorbike, staring at the moon, swooning the ladies, telling stories, and have been thinking pretty much non-stop about becoming a truck driver for the past four weeks.

It's strange. So very strange. When I was 15, I wanted to be a Fighter Pilot. When I was 18, I wanted to be an Accounting Controller. When I was 22, I wanted to be a Research Astronomist. And now I'm 25 and want to be a Trucker.

Out of all of those wants, though... this is the one that snagged me completely out of nowhere. Really hooked into me.

It was the furthest thought from my mind, never having given it a thought in my life...

Dan the Trucker.

I don't know if I'll actually pursue it. Income-wise, it's a few steps down from where I'm at presently. Desire-wise, it's a few steps up from where I'm presently at. I'm still weighing these things out, trying to see what it is that would make me happy. Happiness is the only reason I'm here. What will make me happy?

I think I may have found it.

I'm not looking for a new job. I'm not looking for something to change up my usual routine.

I am looking for a new way of life.

I am Daniel.

hey everyone

I have been registered here for months and just found this thread so I will babble on about myself a bit: I am an artistic woman who has worked at mcdonalds,gas stations, book stores, factories, you name it..BUT no trucking yet. I love winter nights indoors, reading, art, movies, shooting,( yes, I own a few guns) working on my vehicles, working on my house. I also collect dolls, sew, and do most of the girlie stuff except cook. I hate cooking, anyway,we all know that men make the best chefs. I am at a crossroads in my life, since I crossed into my 40's my tolerance for crappy jobs has dropped off to zero. So I am hunting for my next career. Hopefully, its not too late to start over.

thanks for reading,
Kate :)

Hello everyone my name is joe from marlboro massachusetts im married and have 4 kids im a big redsox and patriots fan generally im a quite guy that keeps to myself when im not working im here at home with my family im a 3rd generation truck driver my granfather started it all after getting home from ww2 my father and uncle followed his lead and now me its a great feeling i was at it about 5 years when i left back in 1999 im trying to find my way back thats how i ended up here on class a drivers.com

Welcome to the message board everyone. :) Enjoy your stay. 8)

Well I'm a new member. Not quite sure how the Blog thing works though. But me myself, I'm new to truckin. I haven't got a job yet though. I just graduated in Nov. I have some old issues to over-come first. But, I will remain hooked-up with this site. I can't wait to get on the road. I think it will exciting.

New to Forum
 

New to the Forum, been driving 10 years or so, I'm a local driver I haul fuel here in New England, mostly heating oil this time of the year, as you can imagine being in the Northeast i'm very busy this time of the year. Many of you might already know, Massachusetts roads suck, the drivers suck, and traffic sucks, saving the OTR stuff for closer to retirement, when the kids are gone and the wife and I can pack up and tour the country a few years on someone elses dime.. company just bought me a new truck Into eagle with an ISX cumming 565, happy with it so far although i've been a cat man like most..

Welcome Joseph

You forgot to mention That the Patriots Suck so I will do it for you. :lol:

Hi Everyone,New to CAD. Found this forum from info on another site..My name is Les.I've been driving for 16 years.Before that I was a chef in Las Vegas.My hometown of 50 years..I"ve been married for 26 years and have two daughters, one works for the Air Force and one drives dragsters,and one son that just got home from Iraq..This is a great site and seems to be alot of good people here. :D

I'm Kahlana
 

Im Kahlana... 38... 3 teens... not married (thank you Jesus)... no pets... hobbies are tarot, chatting, internet DJ, reading my CDL manual, annoying my parents, and in general living life the best i can