Making a career change, could use some advice

Hello everyone. I am new to the forum and would love to get some feedback from the members on here. I recently enrolled in a trucking school to get my class a cdl, I originally thought about doing class b but a lot of people said to go with class a. I plan on doing the classes at night as the school offers a part time option. I have spent my career in the hospitality industry and have worked at a great place for 16 years. I have a degree with a double major and I consider myself to be a motivated person, I typically like a challenge. Recently I have realized that I want to do something else and I can’t be in a office setting, I love spending time alone and don’t care to be around a lot of people. I have a young family so I can’t be away for a long time. I would love to get my cdl and start looking for a job locally, like I mentioned before I cannot be away for days at a time from my family. I have considered maybe working for a local company ( dump truck/box truck/ union/ hot shot car hauler) as you can see I have considered a lot of options. I have a great driving record so that is a plus based on feedback I have read on here. I also have an option to purchase a new truck if that will allow me to work close to home and make up my own schedule, I am very fortunate that I have a option to be a owner operator if that makes sense. I would like to make around 50-60k a year. Not sure if that’s possible working locally. I am also fortunate that my wife does well that I don’t need to chase a lot more money. I know this is a lot everyone and I’m sorry that I seems like I’m trying to just get answers but a lot of this I cannot find online and do not know a lot of people in the industry. This is just a big step and I would like to get the best advice I can get. Thank you again in advance. Be safe out there.

 

I live in northeast Ohio.

 

I also forgot to ask about the decision to go school over company training which would require me to sign on afterwards. Is the school route a good option? I didn’t think local companies offered training, I figured it was more over the road larger companies. Thanks

 

It’s around 2 hours from my location

 

I appreciate the quick response and information. I will look further into this. I believe that many of these companies that train individuals to get the cdl are typically requiring them to sign on afterwards. I actually prefer to pay for the school and have the freedom of finding a job afterwards, is this a bad way to look at it? Thanks again