Does this sound like a logical plan?

So, I'm researching going into trucking...job I have right now is pretty dead end, no chance for moving up or getting more pay, and I'm only making like 18k a year...less after taxes.

Is it too far fetched to hope that I could get trained and start working (I think I'm probably going to go with one of the paid training if I can, even if it means a contract) sock away money for a few years to buy a house and find a local gig, and start a family?

What I was hoping is that I would drive for a few years, keep living where I am now and not upping my expenses very much (I know that there will be road expenses, but I'm used to doing without much, so I hope I won't go too overboard) and sock away the extra money to save up for a house down payment. My wife and I would really love to really settle down, buy a house an have a child someday - which is never going to happen where I'm working now. I don't mind driving OTR for as many years as I need to before getting a house, and trying to find a local driving job so I won't be away from home as much once I have a child.

Does that sound feasible, or is it too much to expect? I'd really love to be able to settle and at least seriously start thinking about a child in 5-7 years, and after having my soul sucked out of me where I'm working now, I guess I just don't want to be suckered in by recruiting ads I see. Is 35k-40K in your first year really possible? Hell, I mean, it doesn't take much to be making more than what I am right now, anyways. This is something I've always wanted to do, but I don't want to give up dreams of a family, either.

 

I'm perfectly willing to work my butt off, and be patient to get started. I mean, I'm already working my butt off - and yes, even reduced wages would be higher than what I'm earning now. I just can't see a way to afford the CDL school on my own, and at least a contract is a steady job - in this economy, you can't really ask for more than that, right? It's just depressing to look at the job I'm at now, and how much extra I've put into it, and the fact that no matter how hard I work, it's never going to pay to have a little house, or be able to have a family. I love the people I work for, but it's just not something that I can do as a career.

At Baack - thanks for the threads on earnings! Those are a big help. I mostly just want to make sure that hoping to get a job, save up, find a local gig, etc. aren't too much to hope for.

 

Is that possible even if I have a full-time job? Like I said, the pay is lousy, but it is full time, and I'm even usually pulling overtime if I can - it's just nothing to base career off of.

 

She's not working, actually. I'm the sexy meal ticket. Minus the sexy part. I hadn't considered team driving, but that's mostly because I don't know much about it yet. I wouldn't mind doing team driving as long as I did get to see her every so often! What exactly does team driving entail? (I know, I can just google it, but since you suggested it I figured it's worth asking)

@Chief: I'm not wanting to get into the trucking for the money - but I do want to be able to make enough to live. I'm not looking for quick, easy cash or a big fancy house or anything like that. I find it interesting that you say not to go into trucking for the money, but essentially to go to school and get a good paying job regardless of whether I want to do that or not. I was in college for awhile, and hated it. I don't want that kind of job. I get up at 2 am for my current job anyways, and yes, I do end up pulling 10-14 hours days when I'm needed. Like I said, I don't mind hard work. I like hard work, it keeps me interested - same with not being home much. I get bored when I'm stuck at home. The reason I'm looking into trucking is because I do want to be able to get away some - not forever, obviously, like I said after five years or so I'd hope to get off OTR, but right now that's what I'm looking for. I don't need anyone to tell me you're bitter, dude - you reek of bitter.