|
Post by towguy76 on Aug 1, 2008 15:39:43 GMT -5
Just letting you guys know you wont be seeing much of me on the forum for a while. I have recently become a single man and have ben told to move out. So i am packing all my stuff up including my model stuff for the move. So i wont be building for a good while since i will be living with some friends in Florida and most of my belongings will be in storage. For those of you who know i was laid off in March and have had trouble finding work so money is very tight. Because of that i am unsure if i will even bring my models and modeling stuff with me since space in the moving van is going to be at a premium. If i can't bring it with me i may decide to just give it up and find a different hobby.
So i just wanted to let you know you wont see any builds from me for a long time and as of the middle of August i may not have internet access for a good while so you wont be seeing much of me in any kind of post.
Just thought i would let it be known incase anyone were to start wondering what happened to me.
|
|
phoneguy
Regional OTR Driver
if you're done with it, it's not finished!
Posts: 2,278
|
Post by phoneguy on Aug 1, 2008 16:28:29 GMT -5
I wish you the best Rick & our prayers are with you. Call me whenever you need to.
|
|
|
Post by Bri on Aug 2, 2008 10:09:31 GMT -5
I have been through the same situation myself Rick so i know exactly what you're facing. I know it might not be a practical thing to do, but if you need storage space for your kits, you are more than welcome to send them here as I have a storage unit they can stay secured in until you get back on your feet. No charge at all as i have a ton of my kits stored there as well. I made the mistake of leaving my models behind when I sperated and I will always regret it. Alot of the kits I lost can nver be replaced now without taking out a second mortgage and I hate to see anyone else suffer the same fate. Anything you need, just let me know. Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
|
|
|
Post by towguy76 on Aug 2, 2008 11:24:56 GMT -5
I have been through the same situation myself Rick so i know exactly what you're facing. I know it might not be a practical thing to do, but if you need storage space for your kits, you are more than welcome to send them here as I have a storage unit they can stay secured in until you get back on your feet. No charge at all as i have a ton of my kits stored there as well. I made the mistake of leaving my models behind when I separated and I will always regret it. A lot of the kits I lost can never be replaced now without taking out a second mortgage and I hate to see anyone else suffer the same fate. Anything you need, just let me know. Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to you. Brian, I appreciate the offer, thank you. My problems isn't storage of my kits at my destination though. It is the transportation of said kits. I don't know if i will have the room to bring them in the U-Haul truck as my budget requires i rent one of the smaller trucks. My other concern is damage since i don't have a reliable way of transporting them with out damage (meaning for the built ups, obviously the inbuilts are easy to pack and load) occurring. And i simply can't afford to acquire the necessary containers and packing material. Especially for the bigger kits like the Stepps kit and the T600 build. So i am unsure at this time what a may do. I might just give everything to Mitch since he is only a few hours away from me. I dunno, i really don't want to have to deal with all this. Seems my days right now are all filled with reminders of this failed relationship and seperating everything that joined us together, me and her. It also seems she is getting everything she wants (i dont mean belongings) and i am the one having to start over since i am the one who has to leave. It wasn't my idea to split up.
|
|
locoengr
Local Delivery Truck Driver
Gluebombs Inc.
Posts: 276
|
Post by locoengr on Aug 3, 2008 7:51:35 GMT -5
That's crushing as I also have been in a similar situation. It's like losing a loved one but they are still there. It's tough to handle. The only suggestion I can give is don't make it worse by saying something that you will regret later. It's hard at the time but walk away for a few seconds and count to 10. Take care, somehow, of all those models and yourself!! Even though I do not know you I wish I was closer so that I could come and somehow give a hand of some sort. Bruce
|
|
|
Post by kodiakmodeler on Aug 9, 2008 4:18:31 GMT -5
We'll miss you. I'd offer to help, but since I'm in Alaska, I don't know how much help I can be. It's too bad there aren't some local modelers that could help.
|
|
|
Post by towguy76 on Aug 20, 2008 11:42:54 GMT -5
Well, i am moving to Florida this weekend. Not that i want to.
|
|
Chris Guthro
CDL Student Driver
If ya cant find'em grind'em
Posts: 807
|
Post by Chris Guthro on Aug 20, 2008 12:51:29 GMT -5
Sad to here it Rick!! that sucks
|
|
locoengr
Local Delivery Truck Driver
Gluebombs Inc.
Posts: 276
|
Post by locoengr on Oct 22, 2008 21:58:45 GMT -5
Anyone heard from Towguy or how he is doing? I miss his work but also hope that he has been ok..... Bruce in Fargo
|
|
|
Post by towguy76 on Oct 23, 2008 20:32:59 GMT -5
Hey Bruce, i am here. I am on the sidelines though. All my models and supplies are in storage along with most of my belongings here in Florida. So i am still not building and don't have a clue when i will be able to start again, though i will eventually, hopefully. Life is still upside down right now. Even here in Florida work has been hard to come by. I have only been able to land a part time job that doesn't pay much since there are no hours. Crashing on my buddies couch right now for the time being, but that will get old fast for everyone involved (he is married with 4 little kids). Will be looking into contacting Stevens Transport and Covenant about signing with them and taking their classes so i can get my CDL and work for them. Stevens says on their job postings that they pay for the training and they seem to be a good company (they are boasting that they have never had a lay off in 28 years) so they will be my first choice. Especially since i don't have the funds to pay for the classes on my own. A friend of a friend went to Werner and had to pay $8,000 up front for the classes. I can't do that.
So yes i am still alive and kicking (barely), but you won't see any new builds for a while.
If anyone has gone this route with a trucking company, or knows anyone who has recently, let me know what to expect.
|
|
shuvlhd69
Local Delivery Truck Driver
Posts: 301
|
Post by shuvlhd69 on Oct 23, 2008 20:44:00 GMT -5
sorry to hear that your still not building, I'd go nuts! hang in there. do your self a favor & ASK QUESTIONS when you get involved w/ those "will train" co's. sometimes they will lure you in to a contract were you'd be obligated to stay employed by them for 6 mths to a year. if you leave .THEN you are liable for the training money. it happened to a guy that I know. & don't fall for one of those real easy "lease purchase programs either. if you miss or refuse a load ,they can take the truck & you will lose any & all money that you paid into it! even if it's the last payment.(fine prints a ) that & , you'd have to be out of your mind to buy a truck w/ fuel prices & rates these days. I sold mine & don't regret it! just a little friendly advice. take it for what its worth. good luck!..Jim
|
|
78KW
Regional OTR Driver
Hard Time don't last...Trucker's do!
Posts: 2,467
|
Post by 78KW on Oct 23, 2008 23:54:38 GMT -5
Heed Jim's words!!! Ask lots of questions! And when you think all the questions are answered, ask them again. A trucker can NEVER ask too many.
I wouldn't give up having my own truck, but it's NOT for everyone, so b4 they start the fast talk(think used car salesman), find out if you even like driving. It's too big an investment to make unless one is really committed. Don't even think about it until you at least have some miles behind you. I don't look down upon anyone selling their truck. Don't let yourself be roped in, though. Learn this business first. Minus a certain T600, I have no regrets, but I tell anyone who's just starting out, KEEP BOTH EYES OPEN! There's nothing else I would rather do, but even the things we love have their drawbacks. Don't let us frighten you off though. You'll know if you like it. Ultimately, it has 2 be the right thing 4 you.
I'm glad you're ok, and good luck!
Check back in and let us know how things go. OK, I'm stepping off the soapbox. Anybody else wanna borrow it? LOL
|
|
|
Post by towguy76 on Oct 24, 2008 6:55:59 GMT -5
Yeah i have been around the trucking industry my whole life. My stepfather drives and up untill a few years ago owned his own trucks. I have rode and worked with him over many summers (summer was his busy season, he is a mover), but never was the driver. I figured that if they pay for the classes then you would be signing on for a year with them, i know they used to do that. Right now anything is better than nothing, and it wouldn't matter right now if they were to keep me out on the road for a couple of months at a time. It's not like i have anything to come home to.
As far as going crazy because i can't build, well......not so much. I like building, but at this time i am not too overly concerned about the lack of building time. If anything is driving me crazy, it is that the break up with my fiance was pretty hard on me. And the fact that i am dirt poor right now and am having a hard time seeing a way out of the hole i am in with the economy the way it is.
|
|
longhaul
Local Delivery Truck Driver
Posts: 129
|
Post by longhaul on Oct 24, 2008 10:56:13 GMT -5
Towguy76 If your really serious about going trucking, pick a company that is going to give you the training you need. Get your training and than stay with that company, as you dont want to become known as a job jumper in the truckingbusiness. The grass is never greener on the other side of the fence. Just a word about the 2 companies you are looking at for your training. Stevens is a refrigerated company that hauls a lot of meat. I dont know how old you are, but with a reefer company you are going to do a lot of physical labor (hand unloading) at almost every stop. Also you will be spending a lot of downtime waiting to be loaded at the meat plants. There is no pay in waiting, and sometimes it can take a whole day to get loaded. Also with running a reefer you are on a really tight schedule with your deliveries. Also with Stevens, you dont see a lot of home time unless you live in the Dallas area. Covenant, is a dry van trucking company, which is a lot more relaxed way of trucking. They also do quite a bit of drop and hooks. This means less waiting time, and more money in your pocket. I am not saying you will not wait, you will, but not like you do on a reefer. Your delivery times are a little more relaxed, and sometimes into a lot nicer areas than you go on a reefer. Covenant is also a little lax on the home time, but they do get you home. You say you dont care if they keep you out for any length of time, you will. Living on the road gets old fast and its not exactly cheap. I am not trying to discourage you in anyway. I raised my family and made a good living as a truck driver. I spent 45 years on the road and retired 5 years ago and still miss driving sometimes. One more thing, as everybody above has said. If your going to buy your own truck, research it real good and stay away from these lease to own companies. Jeff
|
|
78KW
Regional OTR Driver
Hard Time don't last...Trucker's do!
Posts: 2,467
|
Post by 78KW on Oct 24, 2008 15:16:39 GMT -5
I have to concur with longhaul regarding reefers. I loved it, and 8 of the 11 years I've driven were spent pulling one. However, it has its downside. While more carriers are opting to pay the guys at the warehouse to unload, it's still an act of Congress to get the money approved sometimes. Appointments are the name of the game, and they are STRICT. I got tired of it, but I learned one thing about pulling a flatbed, we have appointments, too. There is a mythical belief that we don't, but we do, and it's a more 9 to 5 type of world for us. I've worked for a small 60 truck regional fleet, and then spent 3 years at Marten Transport. There were big differences between the 2. Marten had a great safety rating while I was there, although it was declining. Your better off with a carrier that has a decent DOT safety rating. It's no guaruntee, but it means you're less likely to be picked on by DOT solely because of the name on your door. It might mean a stricter carrier, though. That's why I left the small carrier from Ohio(not all small carriers are bad). As I learned over time, however, the difference sometimes was nothing more than one had gray trucks and one had blue trucks. LOL
As for staying out long, it's an individual choice. I do it, because the 2 or 3 days you get from these carriers disappears too quickly. So I stay out indefinately, but when I'm home, it's a week or 2. I find it more relaxing. I may not be home as often, I'm not worried about quantity of time, rather, the quality. Although, the past few months have found me home most weekends.
Fikes Truck Line, my carrier, which is all owner operator, is very mellow and relaxed, but even owner operators have rules to live by. They don't, however, disrespect the drivers. Unlike other carriers, they realize our importance to the business. They are probably the most honest people I ever worked for. For being a 500 truck fleet, I am still Ray, not driver #8128. There is something cool about that.
At the end of the day, I always say, find the carrier that fits YOU! What's good for Ray might not be good for Rick. In other words, I might stay at a carrier that you would choose to leave for whatever reason. Ultimately, remember that this, unlike a lot of other fields, requires a big investment from you. I'm not talking about money, but an investment of yourself. It is a lifestyle change. Best advice, find drivers from Stevens and find drivers from Covenant(or any carrier that you are interested in) and ask them. They work there, they would be familiar with what you'll face working for them.
Good luck Rick.
|
|