Profile For Doug L.

Hi Old School. I read your post re: flatbeds, Man I though here in the Western Cape the wind and rain was bad but you pic paints a 1000 more words.

Thank you for your input - not want I wanted to hear but ok I see and understand now the missing link. In fact it makes perfect sense one you think about it from a political view.

Your alternative suggestion I have looked into, and would suit us. However my age in relation to the three years and the amount of money one needs to invest in the States is huge. In truth if I had that kind of money I would not be looking work in the USA.

This leaves only the green card lottery as a avenue, one I have not explored fully.

Thank you for your input and happy trucking.

Doug

Yes , I fully agree there must be a period of adjustment re driving on the wrong side of the road etc. There are many ways to overcome this for eg. driving a courier van for a period - even if it is a year. But until a communication channel is open you can not find a solution to a this problem. But really as a pro driver we are behind a wheel for 8 hr a day it can not be that hard. Re the green card, thank you - however the process is the same. i.e. you must get the visa first before you can make the green card application.

Let me introduce myself, Doug Lees-Smith, a white South African male age 51. I have EC or code 14 driver license which is the South Africa equivalent for the Class A CDL allowing a SA driver to drive all tractor trail combinations. My intention is to work in the USA as an OTR driver, due to the lack of employment opportunities in SA. This will require me to do the USA commercial drivers coarse to be certified to drive tractor trailer combinations in the USA. However before I can do that I need to obtain a H2B working Visa for the USA. Before I can make the application I need to have a company in the USA who will sponsor me and apply to the USCIS to approve the Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker (Form I-129). Only then may I apply for a visa to enter and work in the USA. In short I must get the Job without the qualification to get the visa to get the qualification so I can work in the USA, in a job I am qualified to do. That said and accepted I am happy to work with in the rules. I have approach 100's of trucking companies and none are prepared to walk this road with me. Now this makes no sense at all, there is a shortage of drives, notably OTR drivers, so what am I missing or do not understand. Can someone steer me in the right direction or offer some advice. Regards Doug