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Ty

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If I could move out of the area it wouldn't be a problem, but my grandmother is 94 and I need to stay within an hour's emergency response range of Pinehurst, NC. I've been at an AT&T call center for 9.5 years, there are other call centers in the area but they pay about $8/hr less than my old job. I'm looking into some work for home things or some IT positions to use my computer science degree in that don't involve programming.
Good luck. That can be a tough time.
 
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Folks

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Well, it has been a very interesting month for me with plenty of ups and downs. The government project has completely fallen apart due to some disagreements between the government agency and the company I am working for which has resulted in that project coming to an end. However as that drama was unfolding I was contacted about another opportunity so I decided to pursue it. After several phone and in person interviews I have been offered, and decided to accept, a new position beginning on Monday, 3 August.

My new position is Instrumentation and Controls Systems Engineer for Siemens. I will be working on the installation and repair of Siemens control systems used for the operation of gas turbine electrical generators.
I blame firing up our back up turbine generators in the Army for my loss of hearing. Great fun to bring new guys into the facility and fire those babies up. The sound of a jet turbines firing up in an enclosed block building will strike fear in the bravest, if unprepared. Always scared the bejeezas out everytime. PS some were scared out of more than that at times.
 

Folks

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If I could move out of the area it wouldn't be a problem, but my grandmother is 94 and I need to stay within an hour's emergency response range of Pinehurst, NC. I've been at an AT&T call center for 9.5 years, there are other call centers in the area but they pay about $8/hr less than my old job. I'm looking into some work for home things or some IT positions to use my computer science degree in that don't involve programming.
Seems to me you tech guys are always having to go to the latest courses just to keep up. I'm thinking that a visit to your local state sponsored techschool might reveal the latest and greatest demand in your area and your field. Maybe even a course to get you ready. Though just as you say there is probably a substantial pay cut.
 

Coss

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If I could move out of the area it wouldn't be a problem, but my grandmother is 94 and I need to stay within an hour's emergency response range of Pinehurst, NC. I've been at an AT&T call center for 9.5 years, there are other call centers in the area but they pay about $8/hr less than my old job. I'm looking into some work for home things or some IT positions to use my computer science degree in that don't involve programming.
You have a very big Plus in looking for an IT position; go take a class in Security and you have an excellent chance. But it has been shown that there is a hiring discrimination against those 55 and older in IT no matter how qualified you are. I can attest to that personality; I did a number of interviews with head hunters and other lower rung hiring people but as soon as I was able to talk to the people that mattered they wanted nothing to do with me. I have a double curse; over 60 and disabled so even though I have 25+ years of experience and enough alphabet soup behind my name to choke a horse I couldn't get hired in anything more then a cable installer or a call center Level 1 tech for $14.00 and hour. Thankfully Social Security finally saw clear to grant my disability retirement. It ain't much, but it pays the bills and keeps a roof over my head.
 

Joshua Caldwell

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Are there any truckers out there that could give advice? In the past month I've driven U-Haul vans to Florida twice and did a courier run to Ohio once (all from North Carolina) and loved it. I've been in an office staring at a computer for the past decade, I've always loved traveling, and these back to back trips were fine for me + nice chuck of change :) and I'm thinking about becoming a trucker - thus the initial question.

Of course, I could be immediately hired in another call center, but the pay is barely above minimum wage and I really don't want to spend more years in a windowless office building.

I also love landscape photography and I was curious as to whether or not this would be compatible with trucking as an occupation.

As for companies, one friend has recommended Prime, another had recommended Schneider, and another has recommended avoiding JB Hunt.
 
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Gizmo

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I was planning on trucking when I retired from the Air Force. Did some OJT using vacation time and even had a tractor & skate board reserved. Was in the process of lining up some financing. Then I met my current spouse and all those plans kind of fizzled. Dad was a trucker for about 15 years. Between his time and the exposure I had before retirement from DoD most truckers don't have a lot of time for hobbies. As the saying goes "If the wheels ain't turning you aren't making any money". When you do have down time it's usually at places that don't offer much in the way of "scenery" or you desperately need some shut-eye. Guess it all depends on your setup and whether it's your only means of making money. But the open road has always called out to me.
 

JEBar

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dove one for several years, enjoyed it while it lasted .... there are many types of driving positions .... short haul, long haul, long haul home on weekends, single, double, etc ... some companies will train new drivers, some only hire drivers who already have endorsements and experience .... attending a truck driving school may be an asset or can be a waste of money .... you'd get to see the USA that is along side the routes you travel .... when you are working there will not be much opportunity for side trips, photo opportunities will be hard to come by .... for a single guy, you would have an opportunity to make some good money .... recommend you don't even consider buying your own cab so as to be an owner - operator .... suggest you put some time behind the wheel in company trucks first .... things to consider that folks new to the profession don't usually think about --- handling down time while on the road ---- how much (if any) loading/unloading of freight you will be expected to do ---- developing an exercise program to help keep from putting on weight
 

Coss

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Are there any truckers out there that could give advice? In the past month I've driven U-Haul vans to Florida twice and did a courier run to Ohio once (all from North Carolina) and loved it. I've been in an office staring at a computer for the past decade, I've always loved traveling, and these back to back trips were fine for me + nice chuck of change :) and I'm thinking about becoming a trucker - thus the initial question.

Of course, I could be immediately hired in another call center, but the pay is barely above minimum wage and I really don't want to spend more years in a windowless office building.

I also love landscape photography and I was curious as to whether or not this would be compatible with trucking as an occupation.

As for companies, one friend has recommended Prime, another had recommended Schneider, and another has recommended avoiding JB Hunt.
I've heard going to school and getting your CDL and some real world training is the best thing you can do to help yourself.
And from the looks of it, you're in the middle of truck driver training land.
Here's a list of training sites near you

http://www.bigtruckdrivingjobs.com/truck-driver-training/North-Carolina.html

And of course there are always those places that have big marketing budgets (or an over ambitious webmaster)

http://richtruckdriver.com/Fayettevillenorthcarolinatruckdrivingschools.php

http://www.cdl.com/locations/cdl-training-fayetteville-nc.html

http://pamtransport.greatcdltrainin...tm_term=truck driving schools fayetteville nc

That's enough to at least get you started on Monday for phone, or tomorrow online.

Good luck and happy hunting
 

champsman

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Are there any truckers out there that could give advice? In the past month I've driven U-Haul vans to Florida twice and did a courier run to Ohio once (all from North Carolina) and loved it. I've been in an office staring at a computer for the past decade, I've always loved traveling, and these back to back trips were fine for me + nice chuck of change :) and I'm thinking about becoming a trucker - thus the initial question.

Of course, I could be immediately hired in another call center, but the pay is barely above minimum wage and I really don't want to spend more years in a windowless office building.

I also love landscape photography and I was curious as to whether or not this would be compatible with trucking as an occupation.

As for companies, one friend has recommended Prime, another had recommended Schneider, and another has recommended avoiding JB Hunt.

Go to an accredited truck driving school and get a class A CDL, then check listings in your area for fedex ground drivers always looking for drivers both as home delivery and line haul (moving trailers from one location to another, no touch freight). good luck.
 
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