Coming to America

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stuartcnz
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Coming to America

Post by stuartcnz »

After inappropriately posting on another thread about this, I figured I should start a new thread.
Why South Dakota? It's where my mother in law lives. on the western side of the state.
What kind of trucks will I drive? Big ones, they are what I am comfortable in, and there is generally plenty of work in them. The nature of driving is as yet unknown, but likely to be OTR (cross country) to begin with.
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Re: Coming to America

Post by Stealth Camper »

stuartcnz wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2024 7:22 am After inappropriately posting on another thread about this, I figured I should start a new thread.
Why South Dakota? It's where my mother in law lives. on the western side of the state.
What kind of trucks will I drive? Big ones, they are what I am comfortable in, and there is generally plenty of work in them. The nature of driving is as yet unknown, but likely to be OTR (cross country) to begin with.
Sounds good. I drove for a while, fulfilling a dream I had since I was about 4 years old... there are some really BAD companies out there! Covenant and US Express are two that come to mind from direct experience.

Rumor - and some friends experience - say that Crete Carrier (CCC) and Landstar are both good places, if you can get on with them.

Western side of state is where the interest is! All those attractions are concentrated to the left side of the state, and not too far away into Wyoming and Montana. We love Wyoming! Would like to live there a few months of the year. Hint: not winter! Starting to plan a vacation trip to Yellowstone and Jackson soon!
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Re: Coming to America

Post by stuartcnz »

Driving is my plan B option, but since I haven't figured anything else to do yet, that's what I will start with. Always good to have a plan B option, as this one has saved me before.
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Re: Coming to America

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Did you make it here yet? We have lots of commotion going next week...gonna be a wild ride, I think.
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Re: Coming to America

Post by stuartcnz »

Yes I did make it. Still getting settled in. I now have a social security card, which in theory should make everything much easier, but not necessarily. Did my driver license theory test a couple of weeks ago, and doing the practical in a couple of days. Then I can start work on a CDL.
Was supposed to be getting a new car tomorrow (first time buying new), then the dealership said that it won't be here until next week.
Kinda feels like three steps forward, then two steps back at the moment, but things are slowly starting to come together.
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Re: Coming to America

Post by ol trunt »

Glad you are getting settled in. I'm sure it will be a culture shock but really, for the most part we are a pretty good bunch---most of us anyway. I hope I get to meet you one day as I surely have enjoyed knowing you through Nomadicista. Jack
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Re: Coming to America

Post by stuartcnz »

The two biggest issues I have had are dealing with the car dealer, and dealing with the bank. The car dealer, because they are car dealers, so struggle to behave honestly, and tend to be surprised when pulled up on it. And the bank, because they don't understand that a green card is a representation of I551 permanent residency, and not the permanent residency itself. The card doesn't get sent to me until about three to six month after arrival, but I551 status is issued when entering the States, on the relevant visa, and temporary documentation is entered into my passport, to use in lieu, until the green card arrives.
I can't get a social security card without I551 permanent residence, but since I do have it, have got a social security card, yet the bank still won't acknowledge the fact, so won't let me open an account under my own name. They will, however let me open one, if I declare that I am a U.S. citizen (as they have my SSN and State issued license ID. They didn't see the irony, when I pointed out to them that that would be fraud.
Other than that I have found the people around here to be quite welcoming, and government agencies, both local and federal to be very good to deal with.
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