Profile For AJ Winters

Why is it that I see so many trucks on the road sitting in rush hour traffic? I would think a driver would plan around big city rush hour traffic. I often come home from work opposite rush hour traffic and I never fails, hundreds of trucks heading into Atlanta at rush hour. I don't get it. Why would you be on the road trying to get into or through a major city at rush hour? Is this poor planning or is there something I don't know?

Hey dude, there are lanes where no trucks are allowed. Do you wonder why there are so many damn cars in it? Didn't think so.

FYI, the interstate COMMERCE system was set up for... Well, commercial use by commercial and military vehicles.

I know it is easy to blame truckers for all the worlds woes, but, I wish ppl would research a subject before posting. The answer can always be found.

I'm not or was not blaming trucks at all. I just wanted to know why. Thanks for all the replies. I'm in school and about to hit the road so I'm trying to learn all I can. :) I didn't mean anything negative.

It's a lot of the political stuff which is driving me out. There was a time when an Officer's word was golden. There was a time when it was very rare for an Officer to be a bad guy and be on the wrong side. I still believe most Officers in the job are above average people, that don't misfit the badge. Watch this: https://youtu.be/sEvZBKwvE0k It's awesome if you have never seen it. Share it, the world needs to know this. :)

Safe travels, and be safe.

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.

Why is it that I see so many trucks on the road sitting in rush hour traffic? I would think a driver would plan around big city rush hour traffic. I often come home from work opposite rush hour traffic and I never fails, hundreds of trucks heading into Atlanta at rush hour. I don't get it. Why would you be on the road trying to get into or through a major city at rush hour? Is this poor planning or is there something I don't know?

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.

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.

Thank for the replies. I'm about to retire. School is scheduled for April.

Ernie, how was the transition for your guy? What I'm trying to figure out is, if being a former cop helped with the transition. We have a hard job with lots of stress. I think my experience will greatly assist me in trucking. I think when it comes to the stressful and trying times, I will already be prepared to deal with it which will make trucking easier. As LOE's we are faced with impossible situations all the time. We get paid to keep a cool head and find a solution when there isn't one. I just think this will help in trucking. Instead of calling dispatch with every little problem I will find a solution on my own which I would think will move me up the ladder faster. Get the load there on time and need very little help doing it. This seems to be the way to show dispatch you are dependable which will get me better loads faster in increase the bottom line faster. I want to be one of the first year drivers that make $40,000 not $30,000. Am I on the right track?

Andre, How long were youa cop and how long have you been trucking? Is what I just typed above true, or am I kidding myself?

Diver, I can't wait to turn my equipment in. I never want to walk around with 30 pounds of crap digging into back again. Let me know how it goes for you. Which company are you going with? Best of luck o you Brother.

Thanks in advance.

Are there any retired or ex-cops who have gone trucking on here? How has it worked out for you?

Thanks for your reply. This web site is AWESOME!!!!!! No slight on Brett at all. I think the most common theam I'm finding in all this info is that most of the first year experence is up to me. If I have a good attitude and except that curtain things may suck. I think I'll be ok. I train people in my currant job and I don't really want them in my car anymore then they want to be in my car. I understand I will be the guest in another persons truck. I also understand I am the one who needs the training not the trainer. I plan to try and do everything so all the trainer has to do is give me tips and teach me the easy way to do things. I'm a solo guy perfect for trucking, I can't wait to be on my own. As for the companies, I've read over and over that most new driver companies are about the same. I guess I can't go wrong.

I'm thinking of starting with Conway. Anyone have recent Info? I've also looked into Schneider and U.S. xpress. It's very hard to figure out who to start with? Thanks in Advance.