I'm Mac here in Knoxville.

Worked at UT for 21 years, laid off, did my own biz for awhile, that wound down, and just resigned a "good" job with a small non-profit that looked perfect (but obviously wasn't).
All these years doing phototography, 'puter graphics, AV production, web stuff, tech writing, page layout, etc....

So....56, and looks like gonna jump back in a rig looks like for first time in 30 years -- I was a bedbugger yea those many years ago, total live-on-the road gypsy for a couple of years there. Matter of fact, bedbugging is an interesting way to go, and I'd do it again, except just couldn't physically lump it out like I could back then. Thing about that profession is, you don't just grind out the miles each day to make your nut. You can often make $200-300 a day without even rolling the wheels! Lots of time to hang out, waiting to load or drop, and the different way movers are paid makes it worth it. But you DO have to hump the merchandise, can't get around that unless you hire it out, and then there goes your profit margin.

Anyway, hitting school just north of here Nov 1, will probably have to do OTR for awhile like most everyone else, we'll see. Looking forward to the relative clarity of the endeavor, single, no kids, so don't mind being "out there", at least for a year or so to see if that's it, or look for a different niche.

I can honestly say that things are more like they are now than they've ever been before

The Old Newbie (or is that New Oldie),
Mac

 

Seeing as I seem to be the newby around here I'll introduce myself.

I am 54 new to trucking, passed both tests( class 2 and class1 ) this year and started my first driving job four and a half months ago. Married to Sharron with two kids daughter 26 son 33 also truck driver. Decided to start driving after 28 years working in Fibreglass factorys. Fed up of looking at a factory wall.
Interests include Motorcycles, internet, reading, favourite author Dean Koontz.
would be interested in learning more about trucking in the US of A. Learnt a bit reading through the various posts on this site.
Some where on here I should have pointed out that I live in Yorkshire, England.

 

hi everyone,
my name is Don.i live in near charleston,wv(but am planning on moving to SC next year.i am married and have 3 children(2 here and a 17 yr old that lives in az with the wicked witch of the west)my kids age are 11(my stepson),my little princess is 2.i have been married 3 years(anniversary was 10/27).i have been driving a big truck 3yrs(drive for Crete).drove a 6wheeler 25yrs.
my hobbies are ,fishing(my fav pastime), hunting,watching football,baseball and some basketball(love the ncaa tourney)

 

Hello to all ... i'm new to the group here.... enjoyed reading alot of the postings... a dear friend of mine told me about this site.. he said i would enjoy it here... he was right .. as usuall he knew what he was talking about ...i'm an x-driver .... drove cross country and canada for a few years.... and i Loved everyday of it... even thou some days where rather tasking to say the least ... but a 9-5:00 job can be the same... :?: if any of you driver's were around in Utah .. Jan of 95' on hwy 15.. just outside of Scipio - north bound... and remember a 3 truck pile up ! early hours of the morning .... and a female driver laid in the snow and ice for 2 hours till the ambulance could get to her.... that was Me... i drove with my then fiance ( he has pasted away- 3 yrs ago) i've been home everysince, but the love for the road has never left me :sad: .. sitting on my front porch late at night - i can hear the big trucks running down the road ... i just want to run as fast as i can and holler at one of them to plz take me with you... :wink: i am So Proud of the hard work that all the drivers do... i haven't returned because i drove single for a while and then with partners.... i don't mind being by myself on short runs.. but it can be alot more full filling to be on the long road with someone you have something in common with.. i never did like teaming with a female that didn't value their job the same as me or have the same Respect for their self as i did .... I do hope the day will come that i'll be back out their running with the Big Dogs again.... when i was running the hwy my handle was ..... 4 roses .... if any of you remember that name ... by all means... give me a holler..... i made alot of neat friends when i was out there .... miss all of them..

 

Hi Iam sanchez498's wife. And he signed me up so I can keep an eye on him while he is out on the road.

 

OH WOW, That is going to be a MAJOR undertaking.... Stock up on plenty of Advil!!!

 

Hello damnyankee1987!!! That man of yours is a mess!! I really feel sorry for ya! :sad: (Just kidding) sanchez is really liked hear Please keep up posted.

 

I've been viewing these posts for that past few weeks, decided to join so here it goes:

My name is Brenda I'm 38 yrs old, I have 3 boys 18, 17, and 13 and one grandchild due in March. Born and raised in Washington State currently live in Covington. My boyfriend turned me on to the truck driving field as he had his own towing business (he had a 20 ft flatbed) when I met him, I did some tows and a run down to Redding CA he drove down empty and I drive it back loaded through dense fog and did great, he also has taught me alot about OTR as he did it for a while. I can shift w/o the clutch (for which I'm very proud about)and will be testing for my cdl permit next week. I'm scheduled to start with Schneider's Training program Jan 3 2005. Currently I have worked as a Medical Biller for 8 years. I have the oppurtunity to go OTR so I'm taking it by the horns and running with it. We plan on driving teams with Schneider (as i will have a 1 yr commitment) after I finish my training. So for now he teaches me more about the trucks and what to expect with the new lifestyle we are about to embark on and I'm very excited and ready for it.

Brenda

 

Welcome renbren! you are lucky that you have someone to teach you a thing or two about trucking before you start classes. you will have a jump on some people. Good luck

 

Wow, haven't been to this side of the boards yet. :lol:

Guess I might as well introduce myself.

My name is Robert Frei. I was born in Portsmouth, VA on the naval base. I currently live in South GA and have lived here for the majority of my life. I lived in Middleburg, FL for about 7 years and graduated high school there. Florida is REALLY HOT!

I am 28 years old and single with no kids or women. I dont get out much but some would say thats a good thing. :lol:

I am a christian and was saved a few years ago. I have one whooper of a testimony if anyone ever wants to read it, pm me.

Believe it or not, going into truck driving, it is having a profound effect on me, because Ive always been close to my family. I guess I have been a Toys R Us kid for too long :lol:

I went to school for Computer Programming and hold a certification from Val Tech as a Microcomputer Specialist. I have toyed with computers for most of my life, yet I still know a small bit about these pesky machines. :x

I am a video game junky. I am old school back to the days of the Atari 2600. My favorite game of all time is 'The Legend of Zelda'.

I have had many driver type jobs in my life. I think the Lord has been preparing me for truck driving for a long time, now that I look back.

If all goes well, I will be starting with Wiley Sanders Trucking out of Troy, AL. I have been no where in my whole life(GA, FL), so this will be an experience for me. I will miss the folks I went to trucking school with and the instructors; it was fun.

This board has been and continues to be very helpful for me and others I have referred here. When I get on the road, I wont be posting much, until I have home time & after training. I wont be able to afford wireless internet & it doesn't help that I have no laptop. :roll:

When it all comes down to the basics, I decided I needed to finally settle down in a career that I will enjoy. What better than to sit on my butt and drive the country. :lol: