Profile For Moe

As the title suggests, our/my (whatever I call it now) is separating due to irreconcilable differences. Has anyone ever gone through something like this while living an OTR lifestyle? I basically have till the end of August/beginning of September to move out completely (which I will comply with fully).

Fortunately I have a mutual family friend who is letting me move in with him and his wife so fortunately I am not homeless. But this recent turn of events has been a gut punch to an already insane year for me. I lost my mom not even a year ago and her estate is in a messy probate. There is money there it’s just waiting to get to it, plus transitioning form Oregon to FL and now culminating into this.

On my end I will own up to my angry responses to certain grievances being a cause to things ending up the way they have. There are two sides to every relationship. I am just trying to own my side of things and move forward. The biggest challenge I have is being OTR and not at home everyday (which is probably a blessing at this point) in order to take care of things (moving etc blah blah).

It’s the emotional stuff that is hard to manage out here. I really don’t want to have a lapsed moment and have an incident or something.

Anyone ever been in a spot like this and how have you coped?

I should clarify that this is the relationship between my brother and his family and I. Not a marriage.

Thanks

Maybe both. Personally I think it should be a tow when people do that. Parking is enough of a hassle without having to compete with four wheelers, AND summer is upon us which means RVers will be out taking the same spots we need/use and making it that much harder for us……

Is it just him being a jack wagon, or is there something else to this? I walked past the truck, and it was empty. Saving a spot? I dunno.

Hello Doug,

From my understanding you would be treated as new/inexperienced driver due to the amount of time away (not driving). Things have changed ALOT in the 15 years since you have been away taking care of family.

You are wise to look at becoming a Company Driver vs a OO this time around. The freight market and economy are REALLY challenging to navigate as a business owner driver (especially if you have truck payments).

As for Pam, I have no experience with PAM specifically so I can not comment. Keep in mind the big picture is to find the right company that will be the best fit for you, so that you can get the seat time needed to re-establish yourself in this career and thus earn more $$$.

My personal advice is to take the internet with a grain of salt. Most go online to do 1 thing and the word starts with a B…ahem. This website is different in that folks really do try to help others who are open to it etc (and it seems you are from what I can tell). Wishing all the best to you as you re-establish yourself and keep in touch!

Hey guys what’s up well after 14 years out of the business I’ve decided it’s time to get back into it. Let me explain 14 years ago my father got sick and my mother was in no way able to care for him so I made the decision that he wasn’t going to be placed into a nursing home. So I gave up my career of 16 years I was an owner operator at the time. I didn’t even think twice So after my father passed I stayed with my mother until she did the same. Now that you know my back story I’ll get to the reason behind this post. I’m 58 years old I surrender my CDL about a year after I came off the road and sold my Tractor Big Mistake. So now I’m at square one. I’ve decided to go to Pam’s cdl school in Tontitown Arkansas. I’ve seen a bunch of nightmare posts about them but all I’ve seen are posts that are 5-9 years old does anyone have any current information on them like there pay, equipment, miles, stuff like that. I would really appreciate it and you would be doing an old hand a big favor thanks in advance

Hope it’s been good for everyone and you can find sometime or someway to celebrate it today!

Moe

Double what Banks said about a hobby! I’m a gamer so I have my Switch (Nintendo) with me. I’ve also started cooking on my truck as I love to do that as versus remaking a freezing everything at home etc. I also listen to ebooks and catch up on novels I missed as I drive or relax at night!

Can’t say enough about a hobby, this job can be boring and frustrating at times. We need something we enjoy to unwind and remind us we are human!

Fedex freight will require a year experience, unless you get hired as a driver apprentice and you go through their program. FedEx may also require dock work, depending on the position and the building.

Like others have said, stick it out. Find a hobby to occupy your mind while you're not driving so you're not fixated on a bad day and you can leave work at work.

Marten Transport (marten.com) offers minimum weekly guarantees.

One thing I didn’t notice is how much experience you have? Many companies that offer a guarantee will only take you if you have one or two years experience.

I've been looking to go back on the road, but am only interested in a pay structure that ensure that I will make over $1k/week. If I'm going to be gone for days or weeks at a time, and work 55-70 hours per week, I really don't think that's a lot to ask. It looks like companies across the board are offering lower pay, longer trips, and fewer (or no) guarantees. When I talk to them, they swear I can easily make $1600/week, but they're not willing to back that up with a guarantee. They want to offer mileage pay and a governed truck.

I see a lot of "Top earners make $X", "Earn up to $X", and "average pay is $x", but no $x/hour, day, or week.

I have too many bad experiences, being on short runs, spending long hours in docks, and not making any money on mileage pay. If I can't get a driving job that is not based on mileage pay, I'm going to get rid of my CDL.

Lastly I would like to personally re iterate what a few have said - FORGIVE yourself , have grace on yourself , if you are able to find some time to laugh a bit humor is the best medicine.

I like to ask myself when in a touch spot “What’s the worst that can happen?” When you stop to do that, you will oftentimes find that things are not as bad as you make it out to be in your head.

I also want to wish you and your family the very best! When I replied to you it was about 6 am and I had been up since 3 AM so I perhaps was a little too salty (meaning not as encouraging) in my reply - mornings aren’t my finest hour so I tend to be more direct.

Seriously though, good on you for not giving up on trucking and getting with WE, you CAN turn this around with commitment, dedication and the right attitude man.

You got this!

Little background about me before i get started, I’m a 22 year old male born & raised on the east coast by a rather low income family. I also have 1 son who’s coming up on 3 years old ina few months.

I’m making this post to document my experience thus far, to seek advice, and to just let out a lot of built up frustration i have. I don’t have anyone in my life to confide in so hopefully just laying it all out here will help me in someway.

Man where do i even start… I graduated 2020 and instantly went to work in warehouses, saves up and got my first set of wheels. Instantly feel in love with being behind the wheel and driving, it was my “me time”. Fast forward to April 2023, Was working a decent paying warehouse gig bringing in about $800 after taxes weekly as a 21 y/o and got caught up in some workplace mess that got me fired. Told myself i’d never work ina warehouse again and started researching how to obtain a CDL.

While researching and being on unemployment i met a female whom i feel in love with (1st mistake) i put my research on the back burner like an idiot for about 5 months. August i finally get back on track with it and obtain my permit, attend a private paid school ($3500 i had saved from warehouse work) and get my license.

I was SO stuck on staying local i made a list of companies who offered to hire me that i would never attend. every single local job denied me, no clue why cause my record was spotless. I run my unemployment benefits out in december and realize i won’t get what i want so i jump on with a regional flatbed company called PGT January 2nd.

Their “Training” was so all over the place. I got sent with a new guy every week for 3 weeks who wanted me to do things his way and not the way i was shown the week prior. My last trainer tells the company that i basically don’t know what im doing at all and im not focused on learning (blatant lies) the guy ran like a dog and wouldn’t even let me stop to shower or grab some food. Didn’t shower for a week straight with him.

Training finishes and the company lets me go because of the remarks from my last trainer. They fly me back home and i start calling jobs on the same day, stupidly telling them i got “Fired” while in training, nobody even gave me the chance to explain what happened, instead they just slammed doors in my face. So i get home and i tell myself I’ll take a week to just relax before i start job hunting again as i was away from home for a month already. (Second mistake)

The LAST day of this week i gave myself literally sunday night i get into a bad at fault accident driving my Audi like a retard. That whole week i was making bad decisions just because of how angry i was with myself, but this took the cake. That car was my happy place, my home outside of home.

I spiral into a spiral into a bad depression that i’m honestly nowhere near over yet, but i pull myself together once i realize i only have $300 to my name and once again start my job search.

The only place willing to hire me was western express, where i’m at right now. I’ve been here for a month and i’m making less than i was making at any of my previous warehouse jobs and i can’t take it. I have goals, priorities, and a child to care for but the way i went about a career change ruined everything.

I’m sitting in this truck with $500 in my account and anger in my soul. What advice would you give me? I’m honestly thinking about totally dropping this CDL stuff but have no clue what other career path i could take. Any kind words are appreciated also. Thank you for reading.

Hello Dre,

It sounds like you have been through a lot in a short period of time. There is no other way to say this other than this - YOU, not trucking, YOU are the source of your life’s griefs. This is a hard pill for many to swallow (at any age, trust me) - but the sooner you learn it the better off you will be.

Trucking didn’t get your baby mama pregnant, trucking didn’t wreck your car, trucking didn’t force you to spend any money that you were or weren’t willing to spend. Trucking also did not get you fired from your warehouse(s) jobs - DRE did those things,and so we eliminate trucking as being the cause of your life being a wreck.

WE is a second chance company they work with folks who have less than perfect records, if you wash out there- there ain’t much hope for you elsewhere - FACT. My best advice is you own your choices, swallow the pride and humble yourself to learn whatever WE has to offer or teach you. From the class room to the trainer your attitude will determine if you fail or not.

As for goals and priorities, young man- you have a child- your goals,dreams and priorities are off the table. So forget about them. All that you do now is for your kid, it’s not about YOU anymore.

I have to get going to my next stop. I’ll check back later when I can.

Moe

Little background about me before i get started, I’m a 22 year old male born & raised on the east coast by a rather low income family. I also have 1 son who’s coming up on 3 years old ina few months.

I’m making this post to document my experience thus far, to seek advice, and to just let out a lot of built up frustration i have. I don’t have anyone in my life to confide in so hopefully just laying it all out here will help me in someway.

Man where do i even start… I graduated 2020 and instantly went to work in warehouses, saves up and got my first set of wheels. Instantly feel in love with being behind the wheel and driving, it was my “me time”. Fast forward to April 2023, Was working a decent paying warehouse gig bringing in about $800 after taxes weekly as a 21 y/o and got caught up in some workplace mess that got me fired. Told myself i’d never work ina warehouse again and started researching how to obtain a CDL.

While researching and being on unemployment i met a female whom i feel in love with (1st mistake) i put my research on the back burner like an idiot for about 5 months. August i finally get back on track with it and obtain my permit, attend a private paid school ($3500 i had saved from warehouse work) and get my license.

I was SO stuck on staying local i made a list of companies who offered to hire me that i would never attend. every single local job denied me, no clue why cause my record was spotless. I run my unemployment benefits out in december and realize i won’t get what i want so i jump on with a regional flatbed company called PGT January 2nd.

Their “Training” was so all over the place. I got sent with a new guy every week for 3 weeks who wanted me to do things his way and not the way i was shown the week prior. My last trainer tells the company that i basically don’t know what im doing at all and im not focused on learning (blatant lies) the guy ran like a dog and wouldn’t even let me stop to shower or grab some food. Didn’t shower for a week straight with him.

Training finishes and the company lets me go because of the remarks from my last trainer. They fly me back home and i start calling jobs on the same day, stupidly telling them i got “Fired” while in training, nobody even gave me the chance to explain what happened, instead they just slammed doors in my face. So i get home and i tell myself I’ll take a week to just relax before i start job hunting again as i was away from home for a month already. (Second mistake)

The LAST day of this week i gave myself literally sunday night i get into a bad at fault accident driving my Audi like a retard. That whole week i was making bad decisions just because of how angry i was with myself, but this took the cake. That car was my happy place, my home outside of home.

I spiral into a spiral into a bad depression that i’m honestly nowhere near over yet, but i pull myself together once i realize i only have $300 to my name and once again start my job search.

The only place willing to hire me was western express, where i’m at right now. I’ve been here for a month and i’m making less than i was making at any of my previous warehouse jobs and i can’t take it. I have goals, priorities, and a child to care for but the way i went about a career change ruined everything.

I’m sitting in this truck with $500 in my account and anger in my soul. What advice would you give me? I’m honestly thinking about totally dropping this CDL stuff but have no clue what other career path i could take. Any kind words are appreciated also. Thank you for reading.

This winter was the coldest I can sure remember. -10 in January and I spent most of a week in Wisconsin, had never been there when it was that cold and sure don’t want to repeat the experience. Had five trailers with gummed fuel (reefer) because other drivers didn’t bother to put anti gel (I call it anti hell - prevents a lot of hell) even after thrice daily fleet wides on the QUALCOMM.

This was all during that mega storm we had a couple months back - I was in Ohio before WI and at the bright hour of 0300 I was preparing to leave and I noticed my mirrors were iced, like the unknowing dummy I was I grabbed my windex and the spray turned into blue crystals on the first shot. Spent the better part of 20 minutes using a scraper to get the stuff off. Will never do that again!

There was also the customary once a winter fall on my rump. I’m sticking to FL and the south during the months of Nov to March…..winter is not my finest hour!

I take it that you fall asleep listening to The Sound of Silence? Hmmm

Some maybe will find this creepy, but most of my overnight runs anymore I park at my customer. The cemetary. Always nice and quiet.