I like West Texas. I like most of Texas. I suppose it is a family thing. I had a good experience with Bruckner's, the Mack dealer in Lubbock. I had a fan clutch that was a little loose. I didn't have the right tools or screws with me to temporarily fix it until I could get home. I stopped in and they patched it for me. I thought that they were very fair with me on price. They are really nice people. They even gave me a cap. :wink:

There are some good people in Lubbock. As a geologist, I prefer northern NM to TX but my family is here (sister, brother, mom) and they are good to me.

GMAN, do you have family in this area? I have some here but a lot throughout Louisiana/Mississippi/Arkansas.

Most of my family is around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

I like that area, too.

It can be, but doesn't mean it will last forever. Trucking is not like traveling around the country in an RV....it can be a rough life. For a single person, it might be alright.....you never know until you try, just don't believe everything you read or hear about trucking.....some love it, many hate it..........

My main complaint about living near or around the Metroplex is the traffic. I think the quality of life is better where you live, but work is better around the more populated areas, such as Ft worth and Dallas. One great thing about driving a truck for a living is that you can live almost anywhere and earn a decent living. The key is when you want or need to get home. If you need to get home often, you are probably better off living near a larger city or at least near major interstates. I have met a lot of drivers who live in more rural areas of the country. It offers an opportunity to earn a good living without them having to relocate.

Have you decided what you are going to do, BlooMoose?

I think, for the next little while, I have made a decision to continue subbing to this environmental company...for my kids sake. They don't want to leave this school district. The money is coming in. Sometimes, it think it is best to defer some plans for hte good of others. I still have a pending interview with the company out of Irving...if it is worth making a move, of course I'd do it...but all things considered...things are not bad here. I have a lot of wishes...I wish there were mountains, I wish there was more opportunity (varied)...but...a different wish has been granted - I get to see my 17-month covered from head to toe with stickiness because he ate a Blue Bell mini ice cream sandwich...I guess I do like the view here...

With kids, I just can't wait it out like I'd like to be able to...it's been sketchy for too long and I just don't have the financial stash to weather much more.

Sometimes we need to make difficult decisions, BlooMoose. We have to do what is best for our family. I understand why you would not want to disrupt your children's schooling. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. By the way, if you are planning on going to Irving, you may want to check other carriers in the area. Werner has a facility just off I-20 in Dallas. They are near I-45. There are a number of others around the area. I don't recall their hiring requirements. Some have training programs and others do not.

You have not lived, until you come through "God's Country."
That's right...God lives in Northern Michigan. That's why property taxes and cost of living here is astronomical. You'd think it would be the other way around...you'd think. :evil:

I get my bills, and go out on the front porch and yell...God Dammut!
Then things get tougher on me, and the local Sasquatch wimmin get bigger, and more moody. It's not easy living in God's Country. I like to drive to get away from the pressure, and all my hairy, big butt girlfriends.

So, I guess driving to me is more than just a job. It's a way of life.
(translation; I'm afraid to go home)