New Guy Here

[PSDriver]

Hi All. Found this site yesterday. Just thought I would introduce myself and my situation.

I have 6 months OTR driving Van and Flatbed with a National Carrier and had to quit end of April for personal reasons. Since then that company downsized and cut pay, bonus and so on so not going back there. Anyway, I found a local dedicated run driving a 24' stakebed M-F and was a great gig while it lasted. Blasted economy the client cut the run to one day a week. Can't live on that.

So thinking of selling my home here in Southern California. Can't find work or afford to live here anymore and moving back to Wichita KS where I have family. Middle of the country hopefully I can find a decent driving job back there?

Feel like I'm in limbo. Have some financial resources to survive short term but need to get working again. Driving to Wichita in my personal vehicle to scope out employment situation and visit family and start planning a move.

I have a Class A w/all endorsements never been arrested and a spotless driving record. Anyone that can point me in a direction to driving either OTR out of Wichita or local or hotshot or expedited it would be most welcome. Thanks my real name is Patrick

 

[TeamCaffee]

Patrick,

Wichita is not a real hot spot for freight but could be better then southern California. I would suggest you read back through the forums as many of your questions will be answered and you will have more direct new questions to ask.

 

[cheri1122]

Patrick: assuming you intend to drive solo, you should know that expedite is a tough area for solos. [Especially if you don't own the truck.]
Also, you don't mention any 'significant other' - it can be very difficult to be away from home for the length of time expediting requires [usually at least 4 weeks at a time, often more] if you have a nondriver waiting for your return.
As Linda said, lots of reading here will give you a better idea of what's involved - best of luck to you.

 

[PSDriver]

Linda and Cheri thanks for the replies and advice. No significant other here to return home to. I quit OTR because the economy killed jobs and I had a roommate living in my home who watched the place and took care of things while I was out on the road 3-6 weeks at a time. He lost his job and left. Can't leave property empty in SoCal unless you want it vandalized etc.

Gonna sell out here and leave CA. It's in the crapper anyway. Someone once said it's a Cespool with great weather. I now feel that way too.

Family in Wichita has offered me a roof over head when I need it. Just trying to figure out who I can drive for back there. I prefer to drive solo but may end up taking whatever I can get be it OTR, local, expedite, dump truck.

I see that one can fill out a multi apply online here and I guess I should complete it using a Kansas address even though I don't live there yet? Not driving at moment so reading all I can all day long.