What do you think?

Ok, here goes... I have been reading the threads for a while now. This is my first post and i would like advice from you guys. I currently work at a family owned business. We manufacture industrial equipment. Then money is good, but could be much better. I own a small % and get bonuses (sometimes). The problem is, with owning a small % i have no real voice and i see tons of things that could and should be changed. I've been here for 16 years and am just tired!!!! I have a very good friend who drives and is a O/O and makes more money and has more off time than I. So, I've started thinking and now I'm here. after researching different ways to get into trucking, I decided to go to the Prime trucking school, get some miles under my belt and the go O/O. this is what i've been told... first 4 weeks is 200.00 that is a loan and will be deducted from later paychecks. then a driving test then train with another driver for 12 weeks and receive .12/mile (600.00/week guaranteed). then drive solo and get .30/mile and avg between 2700 and 3000 miles/week. That pay will be a little less than half what i make now, but the final goal is O/O and i figure you have to start somewhere. my plan is once i get 12 months then try and go O/O. I don't want to make a bad decision but think i would be better off down the road making a career change. I have no experience driving a truck other that the dump truck around our farm and the heavy equipment we have. What are some of the things that are draw backs to the trucking career? also, what do typical O/O bring home weekly? I know these are general questions, but i want to get as much information as i can before i jump off this boat!!! I don't want to jump into raft and look back and think "what the **** was i thinking"!!!

 

Wow, same boat for sure. I just don't think anything on the road could be as bad as coming in to the same office everyday and dealing with a controlling, overbearing "boss/father" who knows everything and constantly reminds you that you know nothing even though you've been doing this job for 16 years!!

 

thanks for the reply blackw900.... funny in a good way or bad? I truly want advice for you guys that have been there and done that.