Profile For Turtle

I like it. The video reflects many of the very reasons I got into trucking myself, and why I stay.

This career has changed my life significantly for the better in ways both tangible and intangible. So much so that it's often kind of surreal to look back, remembering I had a 27 year career doing something completely different prior to hopping in that seat for the first time.

Good video. Very accurate.

Graciously take the invite and run with it! Give this your best shot. It's exactly what you need.

Handhelds just never seem to have the range, at least not that I've heard of. However, they may have good enough RF reception to receive traffic warnings from truckers around you that have powerful CBs. And that's the primary reason why I use a CB anyway. I rarely talk on it.

I got my start at Prime, and spent nearly 3 years there before moving on to bigger and better things. I have very little bad to say about them. They gave me a great start, treated me fairly, and provided all the tools I needed to be successful at this.

The main reason I chose them, aside from Kearsey's ringing endorsement, was the variety and availability of freight they seemed to have. With divisions in refrigerated, flatbed, and tanker, they offered the most flexibility in choosing whatever path I felt the most comfortable in, even though I ultimately stayed in flatbed the whole time. One of my friends who still works there switched seamlessly from flatbed to tanker when he wanted to change, and he still works there today. Our friend and moderator Kearsey is still there today after what like 8 or 9 years? Point is, they're a great company.

I don't know much about CFI, but people who work there also tell of how much they like it. So I guess you'll have to do your research and decide which suits you best.

I guess my question to you would be why would you pay for your CDL when both of those companies will not only train you for free, they'll also pay you while you're in training? If I were you, I'd apply to both and see who takes a bite. You may find that neither offer you a job for whatever reason, and you're stuck with the CDL that's getting stale. If they offer you a job, you're virtually guaranteed a job after training, and it's free.

Whichever path you decide, we wish you luck. Let us know how it works out.

Mark me down as suggesting you make nice with Western. You are so new to the game, and with a preventable, "some critical event recordings", a "non-eligible", and a short stint at a 2nd chance company, all in your first 6 months, you aren't looking like a very safe gamble to prospective employers. If Western is willing to give you another shot, you should take it.

Give it some time. Learn how to play the game. Gain some valuable experience so that you can first put that CRE blemish behind you. Establishing a good record takes time, but is vital in any long-term plans you may have in trucking. Even for plans you may not know you have yet.

As for the DM not being very involved, think of it this way:

As mentioned, this DM likely has 100 or more drivers on their board. He or she has likely extended their helping hand a gazillion times to new drivers, only to see those drivers bail time and time again. It has to desensitize a DM when so many new drivers simply don't work out for whatever reason. The turnover rate is so high that DMs likely won't put much time or effort into you until YOU begin to prove yourself as someone worthy of their time.

Make yourself stand out. THAT will get their attention. Prove yourself.

Your post makes me think of my grandfather driving a fuel truck on the rural roads of south GA and north FL back in the 1940s. No cruise, no A/C, no power steering, no GPS, no interstate highway system.

We are indeed fortunate.

Good luck and safe travels to you, Richard.

I'm very happy to hear of your new gig, especially after following your journey from the beginning.

I too know what it's like to, after exhausting all possibilities of attaining my long-term goals within my then-current company, ultimately arrive at the conclusion and realization that they could never tic all the boxes on my wish list.

Rather than adopt the "Boxer"-like mentality of" I will work harder.", I improved my position by bouncing elsewhere. Work smarter.

I applaud you for taking this approach as well. Obviously, there's a "new car smell" with any new company, so some things may come up that turn out to be a little less than you expected. But all in all this change sounds like it was for the good.

I wish you well in this new gig, Davy.

It sucks to have that small delay but you'll be rolling soon, and TMC pays well. It sounds like you hit the jackpot with a patient knowledgeable trainer. There are many horror stories out there on the flip side of that.

Every once in awhile, I still miss my flatbed days. But not that much... Good luck.

Good luck with that, Bruce. I'm going to need at least one of mine replaced eventually. Being a floor guy for 27 years took a toll.

Best well wishes, bro.