My Intro Into OTR

Been here a little bit, think I'm past due going into my story.

A bit of my background. I spent eight years in the U.S. Army, as a 92Y Unit Supply Specialist. I got the opportunity to spend time in Washington State, Okinawa Japan, and ended in Kentucky. Due to my assigned units being small in size I had the opportunity to hold many "hats" within the unit. From my normal job of a Supply Specialist holding down supply rooms, a warehouse, etc. To driving pretty much all our cargo due to limitations of our transportation crew.

After I got out I spent a year working at Trader Joe's as a Logistics Manager. Had the awesome opportunity to work with companies such as K.L Breeding and Sons, NFI, and more. Was a huge learning experience to learn and understand how a major DC functions and operates within the Logistics Field.

I wrapped up my contract with Trader Joe's and decided to continue my Education. I'm about a year away from my B.S. of Business Management with a minor in Logistics. Much of what I've learned I've been able to apply to this new career field.

Brings us to modern times. I attended TDI out of Sandford Florida for 3 weeks to attain my CDL. I initially planned to work with Melton within the Flatbed fleet. Sadly things didn't workout due to my Medical history after driving 15 hours to attend orientation. Was a ****ty situation, but led me to my current company, so I'll take the blessing.

I got hired with A.R. Paquette, which specializes in Haz-Mat transporting. I spent a month learning about Haz-Mat, two weeks for drivers training, and finally around 1 Dec 2017 I took the reigns of my 2016 Volvo! I've been touring the the Midwest and East coast mostly, GA, NC, SC, VA, TN, KY, TX, and AL have been my stomping grounds, though I took a trip into Detroit MI for a few days. It's been quite the experience, I've been thrown right into some of the best locations and worst locations early on. From delivery/pickup points you gotta back up around two buildings and up a hill, to alley docks with no more than a arms length of extra wiggle room.

The experience has been good, and I've been enjoying myself and time. Still plenty of work to personalize the truck but this homes only temporary. I think that wraps up my overall experience so far. I kept it as short as possible for now!

Cleanest pic I could get..I've hardly not seen snow in three weeks on the road!

Welcome and thank you for your service Sir👍👍 Sounds like you got a good start. I deal with tight spots multiple times a day. Thank goodness docks are not involved though lol. Order of the day is always slow and easy. I know what you mean about detroit I go there often, all over the city and surrounding areas. I'll be so glad when they get I75 s/b done in town. Stay safe

I have a very similar stomping ground. WI, IL, IN, OH, KY, TN, AL, GA. Perhaps we will run into each other one day.

Depends on what is going on sometimes intermittently my stomping ground includes either NC, SC, AR, LA, and TX or MO, IA, MN, ND, and MI.

I tend to "float" back and forth between the Midwest and South East regions. Wolding has a lot of Regional freight.

Thanks for sharing that Keith. So are you just going to be in trucking for a little while for the experience of it as part of a different career path? It sounds like you're going to get your degree pretty soon so I'm guessing you'll be looking for work in management before too long.

Man, is management going to be boring after driving a truck!

Actually there's a lot of people who turn to trucking as a 2nd or 3rd career, either after retiring from another or getting tired of it. You'll certainly have trucking to fall back on if the office thing ever gets old.

Thanks for sharing that Keith. So are you just going to be in trucking for a little while for the experience of it as part of a different career path? It sounds like you're going to get your degree pretty soon so I'm guessing you'll be looking for work in management before too long.

Man, is management going to be boring after driving a truck!

Actually there's a lot of people who turn to trucking as a 2nd or 3rd career, either after retiring from another or getting tired of it. You'll certainly have trucking to fall back on if the office thing ever gets old.

I'm multi tasking the career right now. My primary focus is gathering experience and completing my degree. I'm not looking to make any rapid switch into management till I've settled and gotten a wealth of further experience to bring to the table. My company is small but growing, who knows what the future might hold. They've been great to me, so I plan to return the support.

I have a very similar stomping ground. WI, IL, IN, OH, KY, TN, AL, GA. Perhaps we will run into each other one day.

Depends on what is going on sometimes intermittently my stomping ground includes either NC, SC, AR, LA, and TX or MO, IA, MN, ND, and MI.

I tend to "float" back and forth between the Midwest and South East regions. Wolding has a lot of Regional freight.

Nice stomping ground! I'm 100% sure we'll cross paths. Small world out here in terms of locations for freight.

I'm multi tasking the career right now. My primary focus is gathering experience and completing my degree. I'm not looking to make any rapid switch into management till I've settled and gotten a wealth of further experience to bring to the table. My company is small but growing, who knows what the future might hold. They've been great to me, so I plan to return the support.

Hey, that's a pretty interesting situation you have going on. Should open up a ton of opportunities for you. Kudos to the great work ethic and ambition. I dig that.

Welcome and thank you for your service Sir👍👍 Sounds like you got a good start. I deal with tight spots multiple times a day. Thank goodness docks are not involved though lol. Order of the day is always slow and easy. I know what you mean about detroit I go there often, all over the city and surrounding areas. I'll be so glad when they get I75 s/b done in town. Stay safe

Thanks PJ,

Detroit was terrible a week or so ago. Accidents littered the freeway during the storm. I too will be happy when they are finished!