Profile For Randall D.

Well, where to start, so the beginning is the best, 1987 or early 1988, started working for a refinery maintanence company, Serv-Tech, gone now, got my Class a CDL, tanker, doubles and triples, and hazardous endorsements. Drove coast to coast and border to border, 40 states if memory isn't full, all the major refineries, and lots of minor also. Petro chemical and chemical, like Dow. Anyway, all our trucks had hydraulic equipment mounted on a bed, and several pulled a short flatbed trailer. Sometimes drove the tanker, need to experience that at least once. Flash ahead 7 years, got fed up with not being home to watch my son grow up, sought out a local Roadway Express driver one day and grilled him about his job. Luckily this guy liked his job, btw they are union, which I did not know at the time, but that was ok, more money. Six weeks later I was hired as a 'Casual" trial period. Drove in Houston mostly, around the state and to California once.

I started in the oilfield working offshore pipeline and construction, in 1974, all over the world, minus 13 years I just summarized.

As everyone is aware, that industry has begun cutting back, especially overseas which is where most of my 28 years took place. Good ole American know how taught them everything we know, so now they can pay local's or other's, like Indian, Bangladesh, and the Philipino's for a fraction what they are/were paying us.

Ok, sorry for being long. I need to start driving again for a steady income, thus change in my career. I'm a little older, but I can drive anything that is driveable, operate anything from a forklift to a 250 ton derrick crane. Driving record is clean, and back in 2013 I let my CDL go, hind sight being 20/20, anyone reading this has permission to open up that "can of whoop ass" you keep under your seat. I read that on a blog here, but just a swift kick will suffice.

I can pass every test, and the medical, like riding a bike, but I have no bike to test on, meaning tractor trailer. From what I've read so far, is to get on with a company that will "re-train" on the job. I tried to find a place to rent here in Houston but got frustrated, and it's expensive.

Thanks for any input, positive or negative, I learn something new every day and won't stop until I no longer live in this world. Y'all be safe, and you new guys:.......... the older drivers are the best mentors you'll ever find. Non-TRUCK drivers do not know, treat them like they are.......well, you'll catch on real quick.