Not so new...

Just thought I better introduce myself after lurking for a few weeks. First of all, a BIG thank you to all who contribute to the forum. It's awesome to need answers and be able to find them amongst the thousands of posts.
I am not really new to the trucking industry. My dad was a trucker for most of my life and my late husband was a driver for May and then JB Hunt. It was while he was at JB Hunt that he was taken from us in an accident. Unfortunately he was training a new driver who woke up to do his shift but was not completely awake. The newbie fell back to sleep and rear ended another tractor trailer rig doing 70mph. Neither survived, but the driver of the other truck was okay, just very shook up. That was back in '83 and it's taken a while to even consider stepping up to live my own dream.
I will be training with Central Refrigerated to get my class A and then will stick it out with them for at least a year. I have no intention of leasing or owning a truck from anyone, so no worries there. I am just too ornery to NOT wanna do this for myself. I hope they are prepared to give a "mature" woman a fair shot because I'm sure going to give it my best. I will be starting next month, hopefully. I have been accepted, just haven't set up a start date yet. I know freight may be slow and that's okay. I figure it will give me a chance to get time in before the rush is on again.
I am in Portland, Oregon right now waiting for one of my granddaughters to come down for Christmas. Haven't seen her in 8 long years and that is why I am waiting until after the holidays.
Merry Christmas to you all. Please be safe.

 

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! I am determined to live up to the standards of the thousands of good drivers before me. I plan to be solo before Valentines day and hope to see some of you out there.
Be safe.