Canadian looking to get into driving, will have lots of questions

Hi all, I've been lurking on this site now for a couple of weeks reading the stories of those who have documented their journey from one profession into piloting rigs around North America. I've come to realize that there are a lot of things about this industry that are speaking to me, especially right now in my life. I'm not perfect and some of that I'll get into here in the next few paragraphs. Feel free anyone to give me some advice though as you see fit.

My background, I'm pushing 40 and as you may or may not be able to guess from my screen name I have a history as a geologist here in Alberta. For any of you who know the oilpatch things have slowed down quite a bit in the last couple of years. You may also have concluded that yes I am one of the unlucky ones to be made unemployed. After looking in my field (all over the USA and Canada) for the last 3 months I'm finding that my job options are minimal (not one interview anywhere).

Obviously with nearly 15 years of experience in this field I am taking a look at my life and realizing that it's time to admit that I have to do something else, who knows, maybe a permanent switch. More and more I've thought about picking up my class 1 licence (CDL for the Americans here) and hitting the road for a new start.

So here's what I have going for me:
- Motivated
- Hard working
- Enjoy travelling and exploring (no issue driving my personal vehicle for 8 hours or more at a time)
- Single
- No kids
- No house, just an apartment
- Intelligent (well I'd like to think so lol)
- Previously held class 3A licence (got it for a job driving a geophysical logger during a summer in my University days), still have a valid airbrake endorsement

Now my cons:
- Almost 40 as a rookie
- Bigger guy (high BP, but on meds and addressing it)
- And here's the one that causes me some more concern, 2 DUI convictions
- When I was 21 (so 18 years ago)
- When I was 30 (so 9 years ago)

Both of those were recorded as treated as first offences (under Canadian law they were far enough apart) and resulted only in licence suspensions and the mandated DUI school and screening from the government. The second one also gave me the experience of blow starting a pickup for 6 months. They are what they are, I can't undo the past just deal with the ramifications that it presents in the present. Since the last one I've adopted the practice that if I have any more than one drink I'm either walking or letting/paying someone else to handle the driving.

Anyways, I have been doing my research, quite a bit on here and thought I'd introduce myself / open myself up for ridicule (well hopefully not too much of that).

I've made contact at a couple of schools in the Calgary area and think I have the preferred one in mind for me, I plan on picking up and brushing up on the drivers hand book and airbrake theory before I start so I can dive right into a program. As someone who is at the end of his severance package and going onto EI you can imagine that taking a longer course isn't financially viable at this time. I'll be relying on my previous experience driving a tandem axle truck with air brakes (already know how to properly double clutch etc) and a family farming background to allow me to get through the education and testing phase and onto the job search as soon as possible.

Ideally if I'm going through with this (and no geology jobs come to me in the meantime) I'll be looking to go into long haul trucking. Mostly because seeing new places appeals to me so being home isn't a big deal. Also, I'd be able to give up my apartment and either shack up with my parents or one of my brothers on days off and make some money to go towards debt and to save for the future.

For those out there with experience is there a typical type of freight that you prefer? What should I look for when applying to companies? What kind of questions should I be asking them for example? I'm happy for replies from anyone from anywhere.

 

I wanted to address the issue of my DUI history separately. I know that there are some companies out there that would be an automatic no-go for me and I realize that, can't do anything about it. I plan on being honest and up front with any potential employer about it so I don't waste their time and I don't waste mine.

If there's anyone on here from Canada that can speak to crossing into the US as a Canadian having DUI's I'd appreciate any advice you can pass on. I've done some research and see that with two to my name the border guys would have the discretion to deny me (hence reducing the job pool further). They are the only thing on my record and both were summary convictions, so no jail time and somewhat equivalent to a misdemeanor for the Americans here.

I know that I can apply for a pardon (oops, record suspension), unfortunately that process can take a few months. I'm thinking about going to the American customs booth at the Calgary airport and asking them about issues regarding entry. I've never had problems travelling as a tourist to the US, but sitting in the driver seat of an 18 wheeler is different I'm sure.

So again, feel free to give me any advice you feel like giving. Thanks again!

 

Oof! I know I deserved my punishment when it happened, but I guess I don't need to wonder about where you stand lol!

Yeah that's what I was thinking mostly. From what I can tell reading up on the US customs website, with 1 DUI they won't think twice about it. Where as if there is a second the 'can' deny you entry. Like I said before entering as a tourist (as I have done plenty of times, whether it be to go to a destination in the US or on a connecting flight to somewhere else) I have never had any problems. If they ask if I have ever been arrested I just keep honest and forthcoming. No reason to make them mad right?

Now whether they'll be more likely to turn me around if I'm entering in a semi is something I need to find out. Obviously I wouldn't want to start a job and immediately have to give it up because I didn't do my homework.