I went over this some in the description of this blog, but here's my story.
In late 2003 I decided to go to Prime to be trained as a driver and get my CDL. I made it through the training easily and even finished a couple months early. Passing all the tests and learning how to drive was easy, but I wasn't prepared for the OTR trucker lifestyle. I had no idea what I was getting myself into and my whole career with Prime only lasted approximately 6 months.
Well, I went on to work for a few different local companies after that. I tried hauling water from oil tanks in the Texas panhandle, but that wasn't for me. All that did was make me realize that whatever driving job I have, I wanted it to be driving on pavement. I ended up getting a job in Amarillo, TX doing a linehaul going to the same place every night and switching trailers with a driver from Dallas. This was more like what I was looking for. Eventually though, I started getting homesick (I am from Louisiana) so when I found out that the company I was working for in Amarillo was opening an office in Baton Rouge I jumped all over it.
So, even though it wasn't set to open for about 4 months, I took off back home. I drove at a temp job hauling bread for that time. The opening of the new office got held up because of hurricane Katrina, but it finally opened and I was suprised when they asked me to take the hub manager position. After considering it for a little while I decided to accept. After all, they told me that if I didn't like it I could always go back to being a driver.
We got the office going, but I wasn't too excited about the manager job. It payed less that being a driver and was much more stressful. I let the head guys in Houston know to find someone for the job and I kept things going until they got the new guy in. I drove a straight truck for this company for about another 14 months before I decided to to something I'd be wanting to do for a few years, but never had the guts.
I got my real estate license and left my salaried job for a commission only job that I had no experience in. It may sound like a disaster waiting to happen, but it actually turned out to be a good thing. I picked it up quickly and got pretty good at my job. I was having as much success (if not more) than some of the people that had been at that office for years.
Don't get me wrong... I wasn't lighting the world on fire, but I was doing okay. I wasn't making quite as much money as I did at my last driving job, but I was on my way... and I loved what I was doing.
Well, here I was in September after starting selling real estate in March and I just keep getting this urge to go back on the road and drive. I ignored it for a while, but kept finding myself thinking about it. I'm not exactly sure of the reason... real estate has been my dream job for years and I was finally doing it, and loved it. But, something inside me wanted to go drive again. As much as I like running my own real estate business, I really miss knowing that I have a paycheck coming every week.
So here I am now...about to hit the road again. I believe I'll have a much better chance to make it this time. The first time I went OTR I had absolutely no idea of what I was getting myself into. I had this whole grand picture of what life as a driver would be like, but I was way off. I'm much more prepared now for life on the road, and I'm really looking forward to it.
The blog has a few purposes.
1. When I first went to PD.com I told everybody that I wanted to average 3000 miles a week, so I'm going to post my miles weekly to keep track. I realize that I won't be coming right out of the gate and hit that mark, but that's what I'm working for.
2. I enjoyed reading so many other people's blogs that I wanted to make my own for other new people to see what it's like for a new guy.
3. To keep me occupied during down time.
I really doubt anybody will even read this so it's more for me to keep track of how I'm doing on my mileage goals and to give me something to do.
This post is getting long enough so I'm going to start another one about my orientation.
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