Profile For Gilbert B. (flat Tire Gil)

My trainer started when he was 58 He uses a cpap and loves driving. He felt he started at the right time of his life

I am interested in trying truck driving but one of my concerns is my age. I turned 58

I miss it. As I sit here browsing TT, looking forward as to my next step in my career because I use TT for all my trucking needs, I catch a photo of Gold Mountain in Utah. I drove near that place Off of I-70 and I miss it. I miss the road. I have only been driving for 4 weeks, team driving with a great trainer. Grandpa Bill aka The Stick aka OG Stick and me, Flat Tire Gil. I got the name on my first day of driving, not even 200 miles from the terminal at Springfield MO, I got my first flat. The last right rear trailer tire blew out and that's how I got my name. We do that alot me and Bill. We just make up names as we go. Road Sick. I came home because I have been away for a little over a month and we were passing through with a load of flowers. So I have been waiting almost a week for Bill to get turned around and to pick me up. Tomorrow is the big day. Grandpa Bill or The Stick as he would rather be called is coming to get me and I can't wait. I can't wait to get on the road, make some money and move America.

Thank you Brett and Trucking Truth for being here for us. about a year ago I was doing research on the trucking lifestyle and that's how I found this site. A few months later I started studying for my CDL and researching different company sponsored programs. I found a few like FFE, Swift, Knight, and PAM. I found those to be the best fit for me. Low overhead, fast training and a guaranteed job at the end of training. I ended up going to Prime INC and I am extremely happy with my choice. Prime provided everything I needed except taking the tests for me. They got me going and I am grateful and all I owe them is a year of good hard work and I will gladly give it to them. Bob Lowe runs a great company and I am proud to be a part of it.

Now I am using the site to see how I could get the most pay and hometime and I have to say that I found what I needed here on this site. I say the most pay and hometime because this is what I want out of my trucking career. I found a few LTL companies close by that I will be looking into. I know I will miss the road but I miss my babies even more and I consider this road time a scouting trip for some very cool vacation spots. But for now I will enjoy this mini OTR adventure for what it is and look forward to seeing all of the states and some of canada before my year is up. God Bless the USA and God Bless all the Queens and Kings of the road keeping us stocked up and safe.

Unless you're worried about a jinx, tell us what company you really want to drive for. Maybe other company drivers are on this forum.

No jynx fear here. I was trying to get into Knight training school. They denied my application so I went to Prime Inc. I have been pretty busy since my initial comment. So I took Walmart on wheels (Greyhound) to Prime Inc in MO. That in itself was an ordeal, 32 hours of pain. Once I got to Prime, it was smooth sailing. They put me up in one of their rooms. They bought a hotel and made it into dorms for students and other drivers. Fed me from day one until I got onto truck with a trainer. Of course I have to pay it all back but I only had to pay less than $200 out of pocket to get started. fast forward to today. I am a Class A CDL driver with tanker and hazmat!! I am on my 4th week of OTR team driving and half way through the 30000 miles I need to complete in order to upgrade to an A seat driver to get my own truck. Which brings me here. To Lease with Prime or not to Lease and stay on as a company driver. Of all the people I spoke to it has been 50/50 yes and hell no.

Here is how I started a letter to a company that offers training:

I have been looking into over the road trucking lifestyle for a few years now and have considered this life to be a good fit for me. I have been to websites like truckingtruth.com, video blogs of other truckers and have seen the good and bad...My Job as a property appraiser has provided me with the opportunity to speak with trucking employees and with owner/operators and I like the positives as the few negative points are not enough to persuade me otherwise. Away from home and family for weeks at a time is a great sacrifice that i am willing to make for a while since to me, the benefits outweigh the sacrifice. The benefits and incentives your company offers are far better than other company sponsored programs that I have done research on over the years. For most of my working life I have worked outside as a construction worker, delivery driver, obstacle race builder (think of Spartan Race or Tough Mudder) that has travelled all over this county,...My current job is a great job with great benefits but I have found myself at a crossroads. The pay is not enough to provide my children the lifestyle they deserve.

I am highly motivated and have already studied for my CDL and passed all of the practice tests.(Thanks to truckingtruth.com)...

I'll post the complete letter once I get on with this company. So far Prime Inc has accepted my application along with FFE out of Texas. But the company I want to start my career with just notified me that they like my letter and want me to fill out an application with them. That is my next step. Wish me luck and I wish you all great success! This is not for everyone but passion for helping to move America helps alot. In my lifetime I have learned that passion is a better driver towards success than the hunt for more money. I've learned that money follows passion and not the other way around. I am ready to accept that the first few years for most drivers will not make great money, are you? If you are then you have already planned for it and will be a great success.