Posts

Matt Blattel loves the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, camping, he loves it all.

In fact, Blattel’s love of the outdoors goes back to his childhood on a 3,000-acre farm in southeast Missouri. His family raised 1,000 hogs and 1,000 cattle.

“That’s where I began to learn about building,” says Blattel, a regional driver for Baldwin Express who was matched to his job through Drive My Way and absolutely loves what he’s doing.

“I got exactly what I wanted,” he says. “I wanted to be home every weekend, good pay, good miles, newer trucks. And then, I got all of that. I’m ecstatic about it. Once I put in my criteria of what I wanted, Drive My Way started matching me. It was a godsend.”

In addition, Blattel said that Baldwin Express takes care of him, so he finally is able to enjoy the work-life balance he sought for so long.

trucker house

The house Matt Blattel built. He also made the name plate in front and designed the landscaping.

Handy Man

Blattel has had a CDL driver job for 21 years. But, when he’s not trucking, he’s a talented builder.

“I’ve always been somebody who works with my hands,” he says. “I can see something and then go make it. I’ve built things since I was a teenager.”

Blattel, now 46, figures he’s been building things for 30 years. He carves decorative logs for his friends at the holidays. But he’s proudest of his masterpiece: his mother-in-law’s house.

A Strong Foundation

Blattel built the house from the ground up eight years ago, saving his mother-in-law $40,000 in the process.

“I built it completely by myself from start to finish,” Blattel says. “From the foundation and the landscaping to the woodworking, wiring and insulation, you name it, I did it. Also, I even laid hardwood floors throughout the whole house. It makes me feel good to know my mother-in-law has a house that’s exactly what she wants, and I built it from top to bottom.”

It took Blattel a mere seven months to build the house in his spare time. Now his wife wants him to construct a new house for them. “Whatever she wants,” he says. And he means it.

A Talent Deeply Rooted

So where did Blattel learn to do all of this? Building “has always come to me naturally,” he says. “There’s not a whole lot I can’t do. If you tell me I can’t do it, then I’m going to do it anyway just to prove you wrong.”

Blattel picked up his talent for building just by growing up around it. He learned by paying attention.

To other truckers who would like to try their hand at building, Blattel has sage advice: “Overall, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and do it right the first time.”

In summary, it all takes patience, organization and most of all, a clear vision.

“It always starts with that vision, in every aspect of my life,” Blattel says. “I don’t use blueprints. They are all in my head. I research it and see what I gotta do to get it done—and then I do it.”

In addition, the same goes for his job at Baldwin Express. “I couldn’t be happier,” he says.

find-cdl-truck-driver-jobs

Want to find a job you love?

Drive My Way matches drivers with jobs based on their qualifications and lifestyle preferences.

Find Better Today

Great American Trucking ShowThe Great American Trucking Show kicks off in Dallas, Texas, tomorrow, Aug. 25 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 27. We’re excited to meet you over the next few days! Stop by Booth 1055 and introduce yourself to the Drive My Way™ team, especially if you’re looking for a new trucking job.

Drive My Way’s “matchmakers” will be on hand to sign up drivers for free on our website so you can get matched to the best job for you, all based on your qualifications and preferences.

CCJ Market Movers

The Great American Trucking Show has a lot on tap in 2016, as it always does. You can hear what the industry’s thought leaders have to say about how e-commerce is changing the transportation landscape during “CCJ Market Movers” (1 p.m. Thursday).

ESGR Military Signing

If you’re a military veteran, don’t miss the ESGR Military Signing (10:30 a.m. Friday). Drive My Way is a proud supporter of the event, which educates and inspires military veterans as they pursue careers in trucking. The military-themed event highlights veteran hiring in the trucking industry and features a signing in support of the Guard and Reserve. Drive My Way will be there, and we hope to see you there, too.

Trucker Talent Search and Pride and Polish Awards

There’s also the perennially popular Trucker Talent Search (3:30 p.m. Friday) and Pride and Polish Awards (10:30 a.m. Saturday). Drive My Way is looking forward to it all! We’d love to connect with you. If you’re around, swing by Booth 1055, spin the wheel to win some candy, and get on the road to finding your next great job!

find-cdl-truck-driver-jobs

Want to find a job you love?

Drive My Way matches drivers with jobs based on their qualifications and lifestyle preferences.

Find Better Today

Great news for the trucking industry! On March 11, Transport Topics published an article announcing an FedEx plans new $18.5 million distribution center. And with more than 100 parking spots designated for long trailers, the center could be a new stop on the route for people with CDL trucking jobs.

The FedEx Ground-South Dayton facility proposed on 32 acres near Interstate 75 in the Austin Center district of Miami Township. They expect 249,506 square feet with a maximum occupancy of 568, according to documents filed this week with Montgomery County.

FedEx ranked No. 2 on the Transport Topics 100 List.

This highlights the 100 largest for-hire carriers in the U.S. and Canada. According to the article, the new distribution center may lead to yet more FedEx jobs.

Township records show the center could employ “at least 195 people at its largest shift.” But county records do not appear to address how many jobs would be coming to the facility at 8650 Byers Road, just southwest of the interchange of I-75 and I-675.

The FedEx Ground plan calls for 845 parking spaces.

Those numbers show 474 spaces for automobiles, 131 for long trailers, 125 for “HD vans” and 94 for 28-foot trailers, according to county documents.

Along with these parking spaces there will be more then 50 docking bays on the east-side. With the potential of a 195-employee shift at the distribution center, the article indicates the distribution center would bring new FedEx jobs. Will any of them be high paying trucking jobs? Time will tell.

find-cdl-truck-driver-jobs

Want to find a job you love?

Drive My Way matches drivers with jobs based on their qualifications and lifestyle preferences.

Find Better Today