Profile For Patrick S.

Thank you both:) I'm not jaded about how it's really gonna be. I don't expect to make 50 cents a mile with home time every week. If I can handle a burning hot kitchen for 10 hours at a time on my feet then this will be no different. Well, maybe a little;) What I'm saying is adverse working conditions bother me little. I'm thinking about the big picture, long term. There is very little room for growth in the food service industry, unless you own the place. No matter how hard you work, how fast you move, you stay in the same place. I truly think the open road is my calling, I've just ignored it for so long and got side tracked along the way. The potential for a long steady career all based upon my performance is perfect for me. I've got drive and heart, I just need the know how. Old School, I believe after reading more about the demands and challenges of Flatbedding I'm gonna try to shoot for that. I love a good challenge! I know it's a little early for decisions, but I like to have a game plan ahead of schedule. And thank you Ds. I'll check that out. Ever since I received my letter from Paschall, my recruiter has called me once or twice a week to make sure that I'm still on track and is looking forward to having me out at Murray. I do appreciate the follow ups from her, but I'm no sucker. I know they probably get a commission off of making sure they get as many recruits as they can, but it's the thought that counts:) Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy:p

Hello everyone:) I've been reading the forums and the blogs on this site for about a month now and am getting ready to begin classes at Miller-Motte's CDL program.

I have quite a checkered past and did some dumb stuff when I was younger. I ended up in a federal pen and have been out for five years. I lost my mother while I was in and a lot changed outside that changed me inside. The day I got out I had a job as a manager at a restaurant locally and worked there for 4 years, however I was let go because of a one star review on Facebook and have been unemployed since last October. I got into a bad motorcycle wreck in January and my wife left me the month before. I was laid up for a while and started looking into driving a truck.

With my past I thought it was impossible. But I found a way! There is a government program called the Workforce Investment Act just for people who have been laid off and without a job. Every state participates and is available to everyone who can qualify. Qualifications aren't stringent but you'll have to check for yourself. Any way, the program will pay for all of my schooling so long as I gain employment after school, so they make you get two prehire letters before hand. The companies that I got prehires from, considering my background and all, are Western Express, Paschall Trucking Inc., and Trans Am.

As I do not have the means to speak with drivers face to face, I would really like some honest feedback from drivers with these companies. Everything on the Internet is negative when it comes to these companies but Old School has given some solid info concerning Western Express, and as it is closer to my home in North Carolina, seems like a reasonable decision to go with them. However, I'd like more information pertaining to Paschall and Trans Am. Benefits? Miles? Consistency? Now I know that a majority of my job satisfaction will fall squarely on my shoulders. I am hard working, professional, good at being alone, and highly determined to succeed. Any advice, information, ANYTHING would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this and God bless.