Location:
Waco, TX
Driving Status:
Considering A Career
Social Link:
Considering a career change. I'm a financial advisor by training and also spent time in grocery store management.
My picture is the reverse side of a Morgan dollar. The "CC" above the D and O in DOLLAR indicate this coin was made in the former Carson City, NV Mint. I collect coins and Morgans are my favorite.
Posted: 8 years, 3 months ago
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It's been a busy few weeks. First, there was a death in the family (not family per ce, but very close family friend). Then there was a flurry of interviews I didn't expect all at once. In the meantime, I was approved by Prime, and Roehl was just waiting on me to say go. I held off on starting with either of them until I tied up some personal things. I've also continued taking interviews with other companies in my field. I happened to get a great offer from one those interviews and as such, decided to stay in the financial services field, working with a mortgage company in Dallas.
I hope I can stick around here, even as a four wheeler. The community is the best aspect of this site.
Posted: 8 years, 4 months ago
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What yall do while at the docks?
Trying to keep up on my Quantum physics project and when I do serious Dock time I pull out my Kindle and read. Reading The Wheel of Time Series now that is like 14-books at about 30 hours a book. So in about 10-years I should finish it. I also have an iPod with music and Audible audio books on it...all mentioned above are one stop shopping at Amazon.
I read all the way through book 7 in high school, which is something considering the size of those books and the amount of free time I claimed I didn't have.
Posted: 8 years, 4 months ago
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Help me wrap my head around the decision to become a truck driver
OP, I hear a little of me in you. I will say this though. A college degree isn't necessarily a ticket to a better job. (Please don't hear me discount education and bettering oneself. Due to certain challenges I faced, many thought I wouldn't finish college. The fact I graduated is one of my greatest accomplishments [and from a well known school.]) I took a job last year for $9 an hour working at a sporting goods store. It's the only job I could find at the time. I swallowed my pride and did what I had to do.
My hesitation with taking the plunge into driving is more a lifestyle decision, as the monetary expectations are well known from the companies I'm considering.
Posted: 8 years, 4 months ago
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Trucking and making time to study for entrance exam
I'll echo most of the others. Studying for a test like the LSAT is tough. I took it many years ago, and even without the challenges of being a driver, I struggled even on practice tests. I'd suggest a course for it. Maybe take a week of vacation after your first year, self studying a bit in your free time, and then take a prep class. Testmasters was recommended to me by friends.
(My LSAT score was terrible, but I didn't take a prep class. I didn't even get waitlisted from the schools I applied.)
Posted: 8 years, 4 months ago
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What did you do before becoming a truck driver?
I have a degree in financial services, so it's not hard to imagine I became a financial advisor after college. I worked in banking, retail brokerage, and really found my niche in life insurance. A certain set events brought me to working in management at a grocery store. Definitely a departure from anything I had done previously. And as challenging as it was to handle the problems of 130 employees and the combined general public, I managed to keep my sanity. I took an opportunity to get back into financial services, but unfortunately it was a massive failure. Nothing against the company (a large, recognizable brand you would know), but it was not like riding a bike after so many years away. The magic was gone. I couldn't sell and I was miserable. I even attempted to return to my previous employer but the company acted as if they didn't know me (despite my accolades there). This brings me to the present, seeking a new opportunity.
Posted: 8 years, 4 months ago
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Start CDL School for Stevens Transport Mon. 6/6/16 (Whew, glad that one is in that date!!)
Maybe there is a shelter near by. Well, tent and campground sounds better. Keep that good attitude. Wish I could be of more help.
Shelter?!?!?!? Good one!
I really do appreciate the kind words and l know you have my best interests at heart, but sometimes you just gotta say the funny sh*t that crosses your mind!! That was an exceptionally good one Scott, particularly when followed up by the concession to the campground idea!!!
Good job man, you made me feel a whole lot better about this! All I can do is to wait anyway, what the heck else am I gonna do? Enthusiastically commune with nature?!?!?!? LOL After three days at a state camp site, the state of Colorado will be telling Stevens, "Alright already, give this guy his damn job, are you trying to make all the wildlife in Colorado commit suicide?!?!?!?
DSTURBD
Don't scare all the wildlife. I've been waiting three years for a Colorado elk tag!
I've liked your training blog. I lived in Dallas for many years and saw Stevens trucks often. I was up in Garland today (other side of Mesquite). Sorry to hear about the medical hold up. If I still lived up there, I'd let you crash.
Posted: 8 years, 5 months ago
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Too bad, I was coming back from Dallas and stopped for gas in Hillsboro last night.
Of course, I'm still among the four wheeler ranks for now.
Posted: 8 years, 5 months ago
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Roehl 7/4-7/3 vs. typical regional plan?
Sorry to hijack the OP's thread. I'm also considering Roehl but have a different situation. I'd rather stay out a month to two months at a time. Does Roehl require one of those home time schedules?
Posted: 8 years, 5 months ago
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I was driving to Dallas and back yesterday and I had this question. Why a lower price for fuel when pay by cash? I'm guessing it's because of merchant services fees (I worked for a bank once). Does this mean cash as in a debit card, or as in actual greenbacks?
I was in traffic coming back. I slowed down to allow a rig to merge onto the highway. He stuck his hand out the window and waved. It's the small things.
Posted: 8 years, 3 months ago
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(Newbie) I have chosen Roehl for my CDL School. Please chime in on my rationale
Prime actually contacted me quickly. I applied through their website on a Friday afternoon, and a recruiter called by Sunday. Roehl also got back with me within two days of applying online. Maybe that's the way to do it, or I got lucky.