Comments By Rob

Have you looked into swift. They accept people out of fl all the time and have a terminal in ocala.

Just curious if anyone frequently stops here. I work at the Harley dealership next door selling bikes and meet ALOT of truckers throughout my day visiting the dealership while in town. I've had some great conversations and most of the truckers I've talked to seem to love their jobs. Of course there are always the few that have nothing good to say but I just let them vent. It's actually tough walking next door to Loves, through all the trucks, and knowing how bad I want to move forward with the career change but, unfortunately, I'm still not in a position to do it yet. Have a few bills I need to eliminate first before I'll feel comfortable with the switch. Anyway, just curious if maybe I've already met some of you and didn't know it. If you're on a break stop in the dealership and say hi. It would be pretty cool to shoot the breeze in person.

I thought you were leaving the forum Patrick? Bye Felicia

Your profile says you are 25 by the way. Married in 1978 though? Hmmmm, that's interesting. You didn't do too well in math class did ya?

Roll Tide, go phillies, fly eagles fly.

So, how about those Phillies huh? Having a tough year but I think they will be a top contender again soon. Go Eagles and Roll Tide ya'll

So glad i never had kids. All that child support stuff sounds like a major headache. Stay single and wrap it up my friends.

Hey, I was interested in getting into trucking but I saw you have to be at least 21. Like most people, I will be graduating high school at 18. That is 3 years of time I won't be able to truck. And truck driving school is only a few weeks. I know their isn't no degree in "trucking" but what would be similar to it that would help my resume? And, how much would it effect my pay per mile, if any? Thank you!!

Having a college degree can only benefit you in the long run but it won't have any effect on your pay as a trucker. You could be a neurosurgeon and you'll still get 35c per mile, roughly. :)

It's kind of a catch 22 with some of these companies who ask if you've EVER smoked but then they turn around and say must be 5 years or more. Realistically, there are more pot smokers than cigarette smokers, at least in FL, so its actually hard to believe when someone says they have never smoked. I actually really dont smoke but have tried it a few times over my lifetime. When i applied to swift a while back i put on my app that i took a hit in july 2009 at a 4th of july party. They didnt seem to have an issue with it. I was invited to their millington school but decided to hold off a bit. Anyway, i think that 5 year thing with central is a bit overboard on their part. Ton of other companies out there that wont care past 90 days.

Did my stint in the Navy first, then college with a degree in criminal justice. In 2000 I took a sales director gig with a major software company thinking i would just use it to pay for law school or until i found out what i "really wanted to do". I also had this overwhelming passion for trucking and always found the lifestyle exciting. Anyway, i never intended on a long term sales career and ended up spending the next 12 years *****ing about how I hated sales but i had everyone telling me I'd be stupid to give up, what would end up becoming a multi 6 figure a year job. So i gave up the idea of law school and put my "obsession" with trucking to the side all in the name of the mighty dollar. I DEEPLY REGRET THAT and still beat myself up everyday for not following my heart back then. So, i stuck it out till 2012, did just enough to not get fired, collected my commissions, ****ed away most of my money on cars and motorcycles, took a beating on my house because the economy crashed, until i finally said enough is enough and resigned in sept 2012, determined to finally be a trucker. That got delayed, unfortunately, because of a long drawn out battle with my bank over my house which just finally ended in october. Currently "tinkering" around in real estate and getting ready to attend a CSS but now just have to convince the wife, hence the real delay. Anyway, i spend every day wishing I had become a trucker. Never intended on a sales career. I hate salesmen.

Well, thats my story and im sticking to it. The moral of this story kiddies is " do what your heart tells you". Money is great but it definitely doesnt bring happiness. Take it from me..........ive spent 15 years in a career I despise, sales, all because i listened to other people who said go for the money. I shoulda been a trucker. My beard would be down to my knees by now.

Whewwww, it actually feels good to get that out there. Never realized how miserable i really was until i typed it all out. Think it's time to tell the wife she is gonna have to accept the fact sales is over for me. It's time to stop "planning to be a trucker" and just become one. K......carry on. :).

I applied to US Truck last week and went through all the steps. I have a good driving record and super clean criminal record. And, today they carrier didn't except me, they said for me try again in 3 months. I don't get it?

I wouldn't read into it.. It's the slow season for hiring which just so happens to pick up again in 3 months. That's probably all it was.

Yes. 3 days in lakeland