My story...and how I got to this point.

So here I am, sitting in a true dead end job. No opportunity for advancement, no pay raise in the last three years because of the “economy”, and they just raised the cost of our benefits for the 5th time in the last 2 years. I watch my manager pull up in his nice new BMW he got in part because he in fact got a pay raise and a bonus. Whenever a management job come up, they hire someone from outside the company, “cant afford to lose anyone off the floor, it would slow production down” I have been told the last few times I tried to apply for an open position.

I ended up here 5 years ago after 11 years working as a helicopter structures mechanic, fiberglass and carbon fiber specialist to be exact. Union job, great bene’s, awesome people to work with. Then they closed down our facility, outsourced all of our work to China, paid us a severance and off we went. Union did its best to bargain and fight for us, but in the end it was over. I worked under the FAA License of our employer, to get my own would require me to invest about 15K of my own money to get a license, I didn’t, and never did have that kind of money laying around. So I took the job I have now working for a boat hull construction company doing fiberglass work.

About 6 months ago my brother told me about his brother in law. He had taken a job as an OTR driver after going to cdl school, and made some really good money driving a truck.

So, I started researching a bunch about becoming a professional driver. I have always loved being on the road. Just being able to see the different things out of the window as I pass by are often the things I will remember most about one road trip or another. The huge metal cross I saw in Missouri, or the big roach on top of that building in Providence….stuff like that.

Well my research led me here, I read all the stuff by Open Road Guy…where did he go?, amd CHRALB, and stuff by Wedge and what not.

So to make this shorter, Yes I have a family, Yes I have discussed this with them, and Yes I have their support. My step daughters are both teenagers and my Wife thinks this is such a good idea she may want to join me on the road in 4 years when both girls are graduated and off to life as an adult.

Does anyone out there have any advice whatsoever regarding training schools. I apllied for financial aid to attend TDDS on ohio (I live in PA), but am also considering company training through Central Refrigerated, Roehl and Stevens. I applied to all three this morning and Stevens has already called. I understand the contract thing and working for lower wages, but really, I am the type who looks long term and everybody had to start somewhere. I beleive hard work gets you whatever you need in life, except at my current job, I just want a career I can work hard at and get paid for my hard work. A couple of lean years will pay off if I work hard.

I plan on making the most of this, , I never pretend to be perfect, and just want an opportunity to make life better, and maybe eventually one day maybe 10 years from now have a truck I can call my own.

Any advice would be awesome and appreciated, sorry this is so long, I have a way with words I guess…..LOL

 

Thanks Big Don for the words of encouragement. I would not say i was totally set financially, but I can live on what we have in savings for the next year or so if I had to. I Inherited our house from my grandfather, only maintenance no mortgage to pay for, and the place is in all right shape no major work needed. As far as the risk goes, yeah I know its a huge risk, but at this point in my life If I do not take a risk, I'm afraid either that it will pass me by or I will forever regret it.

I'm still in heavy heavy research mode, even though I did apply for those companies, I am not jumping on the first offer i get untill I am comfortable with everything I can find out about them.

I know there are a ton of negative-heads on here, I have been reading it all for a few months now, but for every negative person there seem to be some genuine nice people willing to shed a good point or words of encouragemnt.

It took forever to get to the point of posting on here, but here I am lol.

 

Never been much for water, I'm a mountain type of guy myself.....and I get seasick, not to mention last time at the beach a jellyfish stung me in the backside, couldnt sit down for a week.....i'll pass.

 

I have no issues listening. I figure if someone is taking the time to share something with me or show me how to do something it is worth listening to. I'm not much for questioning authority or complaining about something. If someone is asking me to do it, it probably needs to be done.

Thanks for advice, it is appreciated sir.