Retired Or Ex-cops Becoming Truck Drivers

AJ, I haven't made up my mind yet on which company. I've gotten pre-hires from Werner and US Xpress so far. Been hoping to land a LTL job, but odds of that happening down here are slim and none and slim is out of town, so I've been looking around quite a bit. Here lately I've been kicking around the idea of going flatbed. Cypress Trucking out of Jacksonville, FL has a Southeast Regional and home weekends for the most part. More physical than van work though.

You have no idea how good it feels to not be toting all that equipment around. My back feels a whole lot better. I haven't even had to see my chiropractor since I made the decision this past December to retire. Thanks and best of luck to you too brother!

I drove about 20 years ago but for a short time. I drove a flatbed. Trapping, chaining, strapping and bungees, it is a lot of work as I remember. I'm not as young as I once was. I would encourage you to look at Conway LTL. There one of the largest companies and from what I have found they have a good reputation.

I can't wait to get the weight off my back. By the fourth day of my rotation my back kills me. Then four days off and I'm feeling better, just to go back and hurt all over again. I still like the job but it's a young mans game. Time to retire while I'm still young enough to get into something else. Plus I'm single and I'm going nomad. No rent, no bills, no home, just cash in my retirement account. I have friends all over this great county and I plan to take my off time at their house wherever I may be.

Thanks A.J. Best of luck to you.

Jopa, Thanks for your words of encouragement. I am a supervisor and have been for 8 years. Often I'm the one running the City, at nights and on the weekends. The buck stops with me. Not to toot my own horn but I'm never not able to solve the problem. It's extremely rare when I have to go upstairs and explain why I did what I did. I say that only to say I like it when it's 90 % me. This is why I think Trucking is right for me. I'll be running hard, not to worry, The only time I will need to be home is to put cash in my retirement found. :)

Andre R., I think you maybe right about your salary. I know flats pay more in general. Best of luck with your cpap , You can do it. Your a LEO, you know how to jump through hoops. As far as backing and not panicking, I know I will take my time and I know I don't care if other drivers or four wheelers get upset. Time after time I have stood in the middle of the road and made countless people late for wherever they are going. LOL!!!! Best of luck brother. :)

Ernie, thanks, I will get back with you as I know I will have questions. :)

P.J., Communication is the key and I think It's the only talent God gave me. My plan, when dealing with dispatchers, planners and customers, is the answer is always "no problem", at least for that first year. I hope your right about the rewards, I believe you are. Currently, I get a lot of stuff lumped on me, expectations are high. It's because when the Chief asks me to get something done, I just say "No Problem" and then I figure it out. Thanks for your words Brother. P.S. 28 1/2 years, Awsome!!! I only got 20.

You guys should easily get on with flatbed companies with your work history coming from a serious workplace. Some of the top flatbed companies even pay percentage instead of by miles. They are also very serious about flatbeds, dealing with legalities and laws will give you the one up. I wanted to get on with these type companies for the fact they are really serious minded so I would not be dealing with as many slackers. One recruiter was actually showing us real paychecks of truck drivers and some were making 65 and up. Lot of work and dedication. What else do you have to do? Do not know about Florida, but Maverick is trying to get Over the road and regional drivers here in Texas, they expect you to be trainers after a year in also ,to train more drivers out of the Texas area. I wanted TMC as my first choice but got rejected, trying again in a year or so.

About to hit my 25 years and going to retire from policing also. Spent most of those 25 years in patrol. The desk policing just wasnt for me, liked the street too much.Headed to cdl school this summer. It has taken me a long time to decide whether to go now and which route to go..either paying for it myself or going to a company sponsored school..decided to go the community college route. Like a lot of you have said, the stress in police work nowadays is really taking a toll. There are a lot of things that I will miss, especially some of the people I work with.. its been quite a challenge. As stated earlier, I will not miss the 20lb gun belt, vest, and all the other crazy life and death stuff. I got into police work to help people and make some kind of a difference for the better.. which I think I did in some small kind of way.

Good luck and best wishes to all of you.

Can I ask if anyone of you will feel naked without having a sidearm with you? I had a job that required me to carry occasionally and found that overtime I became used to having a concealed weapon and wore it more and more. Since it's a big no no on almost every truck I was wondering if it's going to be hard getting used to. I have yet been in a situation that I've felt where I needed one on the truck yet and I pray I never am. But being a responsible gun owner by practicing and taking refresher courses on self defense I wish there would be way to carry in a responsible manner driving a truck.

Brian I can't speak for the others but for me the answer is no. I lugged it around along time and was more often than not a pain in the butt. I worked plain clothes for alot of years. I always kept it concealed because I never believed in advertising. Was uncomfortable most of the time. I was in central Ca. I still have several toys but they are safe at home locked up.

Brian, on one hand I will miss not having it for safety when I go out of town but on the other hand I wont have to worry about it falling into the wrong hands, getting stolen etc. If it was allowed driving a truck I would rather have one than not.

Man it's a pain. I never go anywhere unarmed. It's like my belt or shoes. I can't wait to not carry. I can't wait to not have a death threat over my head. I will be in the wind. I will trade you know where I am, for find me F***er, for you can't find me. I got so many gangs gunning for me it's stupid. They get all upset when you put them in a box for some time. I wonder if I will ever get passed operation yellow and looking over my shoulder. What would it be like to go out with my girl and not sit at the back of the restaurant? I'm tired. Time for a change. Reply if you know what I'm talking about. What a life. A.J.

Man it's a pain. I never go anywhere unarmed. It's like my belt or shoes. I can't wait to not carry. I can't wait to not have a death threat over my head. I will be in the wind. I will trade you know where I am, for find me F***er, for you can't find me. I got so many gangs gunning for me it's stupid. They get all upset when you put them in a box for some time. I wonder if I will ever get passed operation yellow and looking over my shoulder. What would it be like to go out with my girl and not sit at the back of the restaurant? I'm tired. Time for a change. Reply if you know what I'm talking about. What a life. A.J.

I have a good friend that works undecover narcotics. He's pretty much in the same boat that you mentioned as far as always looking over his shoulder. He's not ready to retire yet and is always telling me that it amazes him how stupid some of the drug dealers and gang members are. They know he watches their neighborhood and as soon as they get out of jail they go right back to it. They see his car, don't even bother to stop what they're doing and yet can't believe they got busted again.

I feel for you, stay safe.

Aj, I know exactly what you mean. I worked alot of assignments in my time. Alot of the dope dealers and gang members are all mouth. I only had one person I know is hell bent on getting back at me. He was running dope and guns for the mexican mafia. I ended up doing him on a double homicide and he plea bargained a 25 to life with the possibilty of parole. He comes up for his first parole hearing in 2 years. I'm ljke you though, good luck finding me. Lol. I had a wonderful career but it was time to part ways. I got very tired of the politicial stuff. Driving is much more relaxing to me.