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Doubt any strippers would be truck drivers, they make like 5X's more money unless they're terrible. At least the ones i know.

Also rainy, we should get together because that's my plan also after truck driving. Buying a boat and living on a slip. Somewhere in Florida. Maybe we can be neighbors, lol.

Hahah omg ..I thought u were going to say u like phone sex. Lol

Janet my concern would be the company may want a certain amount of time between the disability and the employment. For example I took a medication that was on their "flagged" list but it was three years prior so they didn't care. Had it been three weeks it may have been a huge difference.

They might say "you need to prove yourself healthy And DOT compliant for 90 days before eligible for employment" or something of that nature.

You asked before about the weight lifting...and in my company the only freight we touch is a floral load you MIGHT get in team training but not as a solo driver.

I'm glad you are indeed feeling better. But I suggest you ask companies what they require. And what they will disqualify.

Good luck

My biggest concern are the depression meds. the other meds are for allergies and asthma. The latter is stable the former I hope will improve by leaving Las Vegas. As stated in profile willing to relocate. None of the meds affect ability to drive non CMVs

Once I make enough money to get out of debt, I'm saving up for a houseboat, and $ to advertise my books.

Hahhaha

Don't be swiping my ideas... But I'll go half on that Lagoon 360 that I posted a picture of awhile back

I have a question related to this. I am looking to begin a career in trucking this summer. However, I have been living and working in South Korea for the last 17 years. I can get documents proving my employment from my last few employers but, the documents are written in Korean. What kind of a problem will that be for me?

Living in Korea as a US Citizen - you still had to file TAX RETURNS - which means you had to substantiate income/employment.

Non-truckers (legally) only have to document 3 years previous employers - truckers 10 - but the online apps all look for 10 because that's the way they are written.

Documents in Korean will require certified translations - I think the US State Department has hints on certified translations - though a lot will depend on what the trucking company wants to see.

At the LEAST - you may want to have W-2's and tax returns, as verification. Statements from employers with certified translations amy work also. The bigger issue is going to be US DRIVERS LICENSURE. If you haven't held one in 17 years (or depending on how old you are - you may NEVER HAVE HELD A US DRIVERS LICENSE), you may have to have one for a period of time, before applying for a CDL Learners Permit (CLP).

Requirements are going to vary from company to company - but if this is your plan - I'd advise you to start researching companies you are interested in to narrow the field down, and call their recruiters to find out what their requirements are going to be. If you are specifically coming back to get into trucking as a career - you're going to want to get your "ducks in a row", and have something (a few things) lined up before you get back.

I'm assuming you are a US Citizen, with rights to work in the US - otherwise, most of the above suggestions are moot.

Rick

Hi other Rick,

Thanks for your answer. I have been living in Korea as an expat. I have my financial records in order and I am a US Citizen. I have an established residence in Bryan, TX and have a current Texas driver's license and am a registered voter. I have been doing a lot of research and have narrowed down my company search to Roehl and Jim Palmer/WilTrans, leaning toward Jim Palmer.

I do have another question, though. Do you recommend going through a company training program or an outside school. Money won't be an issue so I am thinking about Houston Community College's Professional Truck Driver course. However, the idea of getting paid for training is appealing. I guess my question would be, which route would provide the best overall training and preparation?

Thanks again, Rick

No stripper or porn star. If you really want to know I've been collecting Social security disability and looking for way off, if i can pull it off.

Was hoping for Porn Star myself.

We're plenty supportive here. Will your disability prevent you from passing a DOT physical? Are you on meds (psyche, pain, etc.) that you may have to get off or change, before you go to orientation?

We've saved a few people wasted round trips, by helping them find out things that will get them sent home to fox - before they get sent home to fix them.

Rick

That's been the worry with the DOT/Company physicals. While I seldom take pain meds b/c they don't work and I refuse to use Rx narcotics. Last time I had to use Rx narcotics was 3+ yrs ago when I had surgery. I can drive non CMV vehicles. My biggest worry are the 2 depression meds I take But I've taken them for years and know how they affect me.

Janet you have every reason to be worried about the antidepressants. Many are on company "bad lists". It doesn't matter how they affect you...it matters if some scumbag lawyer somewhere can put a seed of doubt in a jurors head when you hit something and the person decides to sue a huge company cause they can.

At prime I know they will send people home and give them a chance to get on other meds from the good list...but sometimes that isn't good for the person....sometimes it works.

I know trazadone. Effexor, lexapro are all declined at prime. The recruiters won't tell you either. Its legal thing. They can be sued for discrimination if they tell you before you go. Lawyers ruined the world.

Hi other Rick,

Thanks for your answer. I have been living in Korea as an expat. I have my financial records in order and I am a US Citizen. I have an established residence in Bryan, TX and have a current Texas driver's license and am a registered voter. I have been doing a lot of research and have narrowed down my company search to Roehl and Jim Palmer/WilTrans, leaning toward Jim Palmer.

I do have another question, though. Do you recommend going through a company training program or an outside school. Money won't be an issue so I am thinking about Houston Community College's Professional Truck Driver course. However, the idea of getting paid for training is appealing. I guess my question would be, which route would provide the best overall training and preparation?

Thanks again, Rick

Rick F., re: your company search, be aware that Jim Palmer/Wil-Trans requires 3 yrs. of previous driving history in the U.S.; it is their insurance carrier requiring the 3 previous years of driving history. Prime, by the way, requires one year. I've been living in Ecuador for 3 1/2 yrs., also with valid VA driver's license, but those companies could not work with me because of the driving rule. As far as I know they are the only companies with such a stipulation.

As far as choosing a company-sponsored school vs. a private school, that is a debate that will continue as long as both types of school are in existence. There is plenty of good information here:

Private Schooling vs. Company-Sponsored: The Basic Differences

Those that attended company-sponsored CDL schools prefer that type; truckers who attended private school will laud the benefits of a private school. Great arguments can be made for both. Check out the above link and see which type best fits you. There is no wrong answer.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.

Pete how did you like Ecuador? I've lived on Guam,Puerto Rico and Japan and spent time in Dubai and Bahrain... I'm always looking for some place new to check out.

Hi other Rick,

Thanks for your answer. I have been living in Korea as an expat. I have my financial records in order and I am a US Citizen. I have an established residence in Bryan, TX and have a current Texas driver's license and am a registered voter. I have been doing a lot of research and have narrowed down my company search to Roehl and Jim Palmer/WilTrans, leaning toward Jim Palmer.

I do have another question, though. Do you recommend going through a company training program or an outside school. Money won't be an issue so I am thinking about Houston Community College's Professional Truck Driver course. However, the idea of getting paid for training is appealing. I guess my question would be, which route would provide the best overall training and preparation?

Thanks again, Rick

Rick F., re: your company search, be aware that Jim Palmer/Wil-Trans requires 3 yrs. of previous driving history in the U.S.; it is their insurance carrier requiring the 3 previous years of driving history. Prime, by the way, requires one year. I've been living in Ecuador for 3 1/2 yrs., also with valid VA driver's license, but those companies could not work with me because of the driving rule. As far as I know they are the only companies with such a stipulation.

As far as choosing a company-sponsored school vs. a private school, that is a debate that will continue as long as both types of school are in existence. There is plenty of good information here:

Private Schooling vs. Company-Sponsored: The Basic Differences

Those that attended company-sponsored CDL schools prefer that type; truckers who attended private school will laud the benefits of a private school. Great arguments can be made for both. Check out the above link and see which type best fits you. There is no wrong answer.

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. If what you said about Jim Palmer/WT is true, then the recruiter who has been in communication with me should have mentioned that. He is aware of my history and the fact that I've lived abroad. Question: Does that three years of previous driving history in the US have to be immediately prior to application? I have many years of driving experience in the US. Also, if it is only a company rule and not a federal regulation, the rule may be subject to waiver if the company determines that. I'll raise the question with him during our next chat.

Anyhow, thanks again for your assistance as I have learned so much more from this site and the members than I have through all of my other research sources.

Rick F.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.

Rick my guess would be yes... just prior to application. And it's not the company so much. Companies don't hire drivers, insurance companies do. And I would probably be driving for either Prime or Palmer had it not been for that fact but I'm not in a bad spot or company now. So no matter the outcome you'll be just fine as long as you don't just give up.

Rick F., in speaking with a recruiter with Wil-Trans (Jim Palmer is owned by same company), after I submitted an application, it was explained to me that three concurrent years were required, leading up to present time or hire date. It did not matter that I had 27 yrs. of good driving history prior to my moving out of the country; their explanation was that driving laws may have changed, blah blah blah. I cannot be a federal regulation, as Prime only requires one year, and of over two dozen companies I submitted applications to, they are the only two with that stipulation. Again, the recruiter told me it was out of his hands, that it was required by their insurance carrier. Absolutely follow up with your guy on this point.

BMI:

Body mass index (BMI)

BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:

• Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
• Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit

It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.

Pete how did you like Ecuador? I've lived on Guam,Puerto Rico and Japan and spent time in Dubai and Bahrain... I'm always looking for some place new to check out.

Cwc, I love it here. (Still here; fly back to the States on Mar. 16). Would not recommend working here; if you work for someone else, pay is impossibly low. If you want to start your own company, Ecuador ranks as the 130th most difficult country to start a business in. If you are a tech guru and can bring your internet job here and do it here remotely, that would be the way to go. Make U.S. dollars while living here. Retiring here is of course the best option. Cost of living is dirt cheap, the country is small, yet offers the Amazon rainforest, Andes Mts., & Pacific coastline. I have a ton of experience and information about living here, but this forum probably isn't the best place.