Question:
Hello to all,
I'm finally taking the plunge. After 14 years in law enforcement, I'm getting my CDL and hoping to drive one of those trucks that I've wanted to drive for over 10 years. I'm 48 years old, married, and have 5 kids, ages 14 to 2 years old. I know I will be blasted by you drivers that have been doing this awhile thinking I have lost my mind, but it really is a passion that will not go away. I have friends that drive and I have read enough on boards like this to know that it's hell out there. Most of the things that I read are negative, suggesting that driving a truck is the last thing that I should want to do. I know I will not get rich and there will be much time spent away from my family whom I love dearly. I'm trying to look at it like my Marine Corps days, as an unaccompanied tour over seas for a year. My long term goal is to find something local or at least regional, but from what I can find out I have to pay those dues. My wife is super supportive and is willing to do whatever needs to be done in order for this to become a reality. I'm currently living in Ga. and will be attending the CDL course at West Ga. Technical College at night. I will still be working as an Investigator with the Sheriffs Office until I graduate. The course is 15 weeks going at night, 8 weeks for a day time student. I'll be getting the Hope grant, so the $1940.00 cost of the course is taken care of. After graduation my family and I are wanting to make a move to the Marianna Fl. area which is located in the panhandle. Nearly my entire family live in that area and I own 36 acres there so I would really like to be on it. I've noticed that alot of carriers wont hire in that area, saying Fl sucks for frieght. SRT wont hire a student from Fl. and Arrow would prefer that I stay where I am. I'm familiar with Schneider, Werner and Swift, but would rather go with a smaller outfit if one exists that will hire a newbie. Wiley Sanders is one that I see alot of in that area, but I can't find any feedback on them with the search feature on this site. Any info on them or any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have gone to their website, but not alot of info. Recruiters tell you what you want to hear so I would really like to hear from a driver. Well, better go, I enjoy this site very much and have gotten alot of good info. Hope to hear from some of you soon, thanks in advance.

Answer:
Looks like you've been "lurking" for quite some time.
P.S.: when writing at length, Please break it up into paragraphs.(makes it a LOT Easier to read)

Answer:
Sorry, I was in a real hurry, Ill do better next time lol.

Answer:
Until you prove it to yourself whether or not truckin is for you,that fire aint never gonna go out. SO do what you can to make it work,and if it fits WEAR THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF IT!!and if it dont then you know it wasn't for lack of trying.
Best of luck to ya
As far as companies hiring newbies along the I-10 corridor.....I know Crete has a yard in Deland,Fl. dont know much about Sanders.....If you wanna go flatbed theres Sunbelt carriers or Cypress(both based in Florida) You did hear right tho unless you are with an outfit that is pretty well "dug in" with their florida customers,freight outa florida is pretty abysmal
Stuffs?? You be in Florida.....got any leads for this feller???
CD
If you think education is hard......try ignorance recovering dweller..........oilfield trash division

Answer:
Land Span Inc.(Owned by Watkins)
https://www.landspan.com/
Star Transport
http://www.startransport.com
DeBoer Inc
http://www.deboerinc.com/