Ok, I'm sure most of you are going to think I'm nuts to even ask this question, but here goes.

A little background first. I just turned 45 years. I'm in the mortgage business, which I'm sure most of you know is in a major downturn, very difficult to make the kind of money that was available. The good thing is I have done well in this business and have set money aside to last me a good period of time.

I've always wanted to be a otr driver. I love driving anywhere, I don't care where it is. I also like to be away from home, in fact I would prefer to give up my home which would give me even more money I could set aside.

A few years back, I lived on my sailboat for a few years. It was the best, just me and my dog. In many ways, I would think it would be similar to living out of a rig and relying on truckstops for showers, etc.

Anyway, this is what I'm looking for, if some of you veterans could advise me if this even exists in the trucking world:

Again, I want to drive otr, I don't care about getting home with any regularity. In fact, if I had a few days off I just as well check into a decent hotel for a few days and hang out in whatever part of the world I'm in. I've lived all over the country (currently in La Quinta, CA). I've lived in Chicago, Boulder, Reno, L.A., Western Mass, you get the idea.

Anyway, I don't want to drive a flatbed, not interested in the tarping. The refer seems pretty good however. The other thing, and this will probably piss many of you off, but I would just as soon not touch any freight if possible? If needed, so be it.

Because I'm in Sourthern California, CR England is the school that is close to me. I was pretty well set to go to their school, but after seeing the nightmare stories about them, now way. The strange thing abour CRE is I see their trucks all over the place here and they always appear to be some of the cleanest trucks on the road? Maybe they are just all of their students that have been pressured into leases, and they just take care of their equipment? Can you suggest a good school. Or a good plan of attack?

Can someone tell me what is realistic to earn in the first year as a company driver if you really want to do the miles? Or if you want to be an owner operator what kind of money is out there? I realize I won't ever see some the money I earned in the mortgage biz, but I don't care, I'm pretty well burned out on that anyway.

Any comments from anyone out there, regardless of their length of time in the industry would be helpful.

well since you dont mind being out home time wont matter, most companies will keep you out if you want to stay out (more freight you move). a couple of tips, find a private (not a company paid training) school and get your cdl. you will have a bit more freedom. that first year will probubly suck but after 1-2 years you can preaty much write your own ticket. now for pay lets say you start out at 30 cents per mile you have 70 hours a week if you drive all of that and have on duty not driving (which wont happen) at an average of 50 mph for 52 weeks you can make 54,600 a year. however most places you will probubly average about 2,000 to 2,500 miles a week not the 3,500 miles per week in the above example. as far as no touch freight, depends on the company. there is always going to be the exception but companies will advertise how much touch freight they have. also you have live load/unload and drop and hook. live load/unload is where they load your truck while you wait, drop and hook is when you drop your empty and pick up a full. just be ready for the #### end of the stick durring the first year ESPECIALY if you have company paid training. several companies out there will hold that over your head and pay you "nothing" for your miles also realize that recruiters will say any thing to get you to sign up so always check either here or some where else drivers go to congragate and ask them.

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Real easy ..... stay the heck away from CR England they have had many a court battle and not won. It's not a choice with them anymore .... you will be a lease operator or better known to most as "fleece" operator and you will starve.

Correct best bet to find a certified cdl school and make sure it is certified. Can't help you with that before my time....I learn baptism by fire...you know behind the wheel grind them until you find them!!

Might want to check Gordon's out your way don't know if they have anything but they are one of the better companies out West.

Sorry not much help but I'm sure someone will be along shortly to give some advice.

Thanks capnhector, I really appreciate the reply. I was also looking into US Xpress which is in my area. Any thoughts? And for the school, they suggested United Truck Driving School. Thanks for the help.

Hi madbunny, thanks for your comments. If it wasn't for this forum, I would have been caught in CRE's web of deception. I will check into Gordon as you suggested. Thanks

Now don't think that just because a few bad apples are screwing leasees out of their money that all companies that have lease deals do it. There ARE a few companies out there that give leasees a good deal. But, you have to be very scrutinizing to find them.

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"I must say as to what I have seen of Texas, it is the garden spot of the world, the best land and the best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here" - Davey Crockett

I'd suggest looking in to a trade school or community college, pay for it yourself so that the company you do go to work for doesn't own your soul. Check on a Pell Grant. As for making money well depends on you and the company. I'd say realistically first few years that you won't make much over 28-30 K if that. I know our drivers grossed 58-62K and were home pretty much every weekend. I know that's above the national average especially for a small company. Good Luck.

Thanks NightWind! What company are you with?

Hi BigPappa, any suggestions for companies that do have decent lease programs?

call any companies that you're interested in and ask a million questions. keep track of who says what. if you do lots of research on your own you will most likely get a better viewpoint of what you're getting into. every driver is different and has their own expectations. do what's right for you after scrutinizing several companies. the same goes with schools..check 'em out real good before you sign.. just like buying a house !!