Schneider said they will call me back to talk about my application and give me a start date.

But I am seriously starting to have second thoughts about this now.

I had planned on having a TV, Satellite Dish, Computer, GPS, and small fridge all hooked up inside the cab.

But from what i am hearing Schneider doesn't allow a inverter big enough to power all of those things.

I am a NEWBIE for sure, I have driven stick but it's been a few years.
I have never driven a SEMI before, although I have a class B CDL currently and passed all the DOT test for that (except HAZMAT and COMBO).

I have also learned that I will be driving with a trainer for 1 - 3 weeks AFTER the school. Which is fine, but I don't want to share a bed with some fat #####, farting, nose picking, self molesting pervert!

I only have to drive truck for a maximum of 2 years, then I will go back to my Rigger position making $2,000 a week Gross.

I have been blackballed for 2 years (lets not go there) So after 2 years, its back to making the big money again.

I don't know anything about Driving trucks, I'm not even sure I will like it, and that $4,500 - 1 1/2 year contract, they want me to sign has me second guessing everything.

I mean If I have to master shifting and turning in 1 ####### day, they can take this job and stick it.

I know its going to take longer for me to master everything.

I bet I have driven 500,000 since i turned 16 (I am now 28 ) around this country in a 4-wheeler (since my Rigger profession requires me to travel the country), I know how the interstates are, the truck stops, scales, CB lingo, so i can handle all of that, but damn.... to put up with a guy in the same truck for 1 - 3 weeks driving non-stop, switching the bed. I DON'T KNOW about all of that.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I understand that Wal-Mart is hiring stockers in all areas.

Based on the amount you will spend in you first year of trucking. The pay is about the same.

I wouldn't even bother with it if I was looking at less than 5 years. You're talking $42K your first year out, if you're lucky. Add to that the expenses you will incur, supplies, toys, school, etc. You'll be lucky to pull a $25K average bring home for the first 3 years.

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Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.

Just from reading the posts on this website, the job turnover rate is very high so part of being successfull is starting with a positive attitude. There are plenty of things to overcome, sharing a cab with an instructor is one of the least of them....
(besides my wife does the same things at home, lol)

I am not sure there will be much support of the idea that trucking can be a good 2 yr stop-gap job.

Good luck....

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"Contentment isn't only measured in dollars." AfterShock

Sorry, dude, but the trucking industry does not need to add people with such good attitudes. If you have to drive maybe driving a dump truck would be more satisfactory for you. You won't have to sleep in the same bunk as ......

Just a little bit of advise: Start out with a positive attitude or don't start at all.

Having done several jobs during my working career,including driving the big ones,it sounds to me like you better gat an attitude adjustment. With your attitude you aint gonna make it anywhere. Knowing where the interstates are at as well as where the truckstops are at and oh yeah,CB lingo,aint gonna get you anywhere. Driving a big truck is a hard job ,and if you learn how to do it right you can make a decent living.But if you try to come into this profession with that Billy Bigrigger attitude,you will be left by the side of the road.

Actually, you may be sharing that extremely small space for a period of UP to 3 months. Depending on which company you go with. And you will share it....or you won't get a job.

500K miles in 12 years? I've done that in the past 4, and I'm no longer considered a hard runner. I didn't bother to include miles driven in a car or straight truck...it doesn't count for anything in this industry or the insurance industry.

It sucks, I should know. I pay the same amount for auto insurance as my neighbor does. Yet I have driven 10 - 15 times more accident free miles per year than he has.

I just got my statement in this week. My insurance went up $60. For no reason. Can't imagine what would happen if I got into an accident, at work or home.

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Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.

go to may trucking they allow any size inverter the only thing is you have to buy a circuit breaker, wiring for the inverter and their shop will install it for free.
just do not get based out of the layton ut terminal that is the worst terminal to be out of.

About sharing the bunk with another person you will generally get the top bunk.
Not all trainers are as you hear on this website I had a decent laid back trainer he was just a mileage ho so he did alot of the driving until he ran out of hours then he would let me drive. That was the main reason that it took me so long to solo out and get my own truck

I dont believe May offers CDL school. They do hire new/no experience drivers to train. If the OP is getting his own schooling there are numerous companies he could look into.

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"Contentment isn't only measured in dollars." AfterShock

Re: your concern about sharing a truck with a trainer. My husband had the same concerns, but neither of those came true, both were clean & orderly. However, his trainer was one of those who spent the day in silence, or answered questions with short answers, which was just about as bad. He did get lucky and his second trainer was a friendly talkative guy but he only got him for a couple of days. It would seem to me that the companies would look at "willingness" to teach not just the aspects of driving but the ins and outs of the industry, when they choose their trainers. As it turned out, the first trainer was more concerned with making sure HIS route was covered and less concerned with giving instructions.

There are alot of other companies besides the pumpkin.If you were makin the "big bucks" ,surley you should have enough saved for school..i dont know if you live the $2,000 a week life style,but if you do,be prepared to have some serious issues with bills.Cause you will be lucky to make $600-700 a week for your first year+..especially with the pumpkin..I thought there was lots of jobs in texas?Just look at a factory job or somthin..Besides,it will just be a waste of money if you dont like it..Like I said,if you on only lookin for somthin for 2 years,look at a factory job..Pay is just about the same as drivin trucks...Alot less BS to put up with as well.