From idea to actuality!

When I first met my boyfried a few years ago and found out that he was a truck driver, I was fascinated. I had (obviously) seen trucks on the road but I had never talked to a driver so I knew nothing about the career or lifestyle. The more questions I asked him and the more I learned, the more I loved the idea of life OTR.

Almost 2 years ago now, he went solo (he had been driving team with a friend) so I could come out on the truck with him as a passenger. Soon after getting on the truck I joked with him that when I turned 21 (I was 19 at the time) I was gonna get my CDL so we could drive team. At the time I had no intention of actually doing it, I was just kidding.

The longer I was on the truck the more I realized how much I enjoyed it. I would occasionally (especially when we got runs that were super tight for a solo driver) think about how nice it would be if I could drive too. It was still never a serious consideration though. Well atleast not until a few weeks ago.

I turned 21 in the end of October and shortly afterwards began thinking alot more seriously about the possibility of becoming a driver. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do it. I talked to my boyfriend about it and we agreed that it was definitely worth checking into further.

The first thing I did was contact the student recruiter at his company, Con-Way Truckload, which is where we want to stay. From her I found out about a tuition assistance program they have with Crowder College, a community college in Neosho, MO, that is not far from Con-Way's main terminal in Joplin, Mo. She told me that for the program I would need $2,200 for everything (my part of tuition, licensing fees, food, staying in the dorm at the college, etc..). This is where things got a little tricky, I knew we could not afford that since my boyfriend had been supporting us both, out on the road, for the last 2 years. Time for another call.

The second call was to my Dad. I knew if I explained the situation to him, and if he had the finances available, he would loan me the money for school as long as I paid him back once I started driving. He told me he could loan me the money as long as it wasn't til Mid-January or later. This worked out perfect because I wanted to spend the holidays with my boyfriend anyway and there were lots of things that still needed to be taken care of before I could go to school.

Knowing that I would be able to pay for school and all the related expenses I called the recruiter back. She listed the available start dates for school (I picked Jan 24th) and told me she would call me back a month and a half before my start date for a phone interview and to go over details with me.

Since I am still out on the road, and only gonna be home once between now and school (a two week vacation for Christmas and New Year's), I emailed her a few days later to find out what I need to take care of before school so I could begin working on it. She said I would need my to get a permit in the state in which I currently reside (KY) and a DOT physical shortly before I head to Neosho. She also said that she would be calling the people for my classes start date soon and would go over it all with me in more detail at that time. That was a few days ago.

For now I am just studying for my written permit test (which I am very nervous about) and awaiting her call for the interview (which I am even more nervous about).

I will be updating this thread throughout my journey starting now and going all the way through school, orientation, training, and getting back in the truck with my boyfriend to drive team. I look forward to reading any advice and encouragement (need lots of both) y'all might have for me or any stories you wanna share wether they be about permit tests, Crowder (or school in general), Con-Way, or anything else you might wanna post about.

Be safe out there!
Katey

 

Thanks for the words of support and encouragement! Having been on the truck for the last 2 or so years has definitely given me the insight I needed to consider and choose this as a career/lifestyle. I would never have pictured myself doing this a month before meeting my boyfriend but now I can and am so excited about it! Enjoy your holidays as well and drive safe!

Katey

 

I will definitely check out the site! I can use any practice and help I can get lol. What is the cost like for access to the practice tests? Thanks!

Katey

 

YAY!!! Free is one of my favorite words

I had looked into some practice tests and study materials but decided not to pay the costs because I wasn't even sure they were any good. I look forward to looking at the site you recommended tomorrow when my brain isn't tired lol.

Thanks again, really appreciate it

Katey

 

Oh sweet!
Are you gonna be starting school soon as well?

Katey