Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Life changing decisions to make, advice needed

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Standardsanders, Jul 9, 2012.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jul 9, 2012 #1
    Standardsanders

    Standardsanders Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    Jul 9, 2012
    0
    Where to start....I have recently been considering taking up the life of a trucker and am trying to be sure this is right for me and not take anything lightly. Last month due to some marital issues I moved from the Phoenix area back to rural Missouri where my wife and I graduated high school and her family lives. I left my tech support job of 3 years with little plan for what would come next and we are currently bunking at my mothers apartment, I am 27 so this isn't really acceptable to me.

    Most jobs around here don't make use of the computer skills I have and the jobs available that I would qualify for aren't exactly appealing, factory worker, food service etc. While at the DMV trying to renew my liscence I was offered help getting my cdl I kinda brushed it off and didn't think twice about it at the time, didn't even get the guys name or number.

    Afterwards I started thinking how this mayin fact be something for me, I'd been otr with family members as a kid and the demand for the job is certainly around, I also don't mind long hours, being secluded in a small space like the cab of a truck and have patience to deal with bs from large companies having worked for AT&T for a few years, so I started doing some research and am now left with questions.

    I have been looking at the paid training comapnies as I am sure most people in my situation start out doing normally,they seem the best bet for me despite the many downsides as my credit is absolute crap from some unpaid student loans and I need work ASAP,however if there are good alternatives to this I am all ears. One consideration I dohave is my wife's uncle is an owner operator and could probably teach me. Also I am looking to be solo otr so my wife can tag a long.

    A couple worries I have are that I am not a confident driver, clean record no accidents or tickets, but a little under confident. I am looking at this as a challenge out side of my comfort zone and that is both s ray and potentially rewarding, no clue if i am capable of this but can't always play it safe. Second, I have ulcerative colitis which got me medically discharged from the national guard, this may limit my ability further and was wondering if anyone knows one is a driver with UC. Sorry for the long windedness but like I said I am taking this cautiously
     
    Standardsanders, Jul 9, 2012
    Standardsanders, Jul 9, 2012
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jul 9, 2012 #2
    Standardsanders

    Standardsanders Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    Jul 9, 2012
    0
    Oh to be more specific to my location I am in north central Missouri currently, about 30 miles from Chillicothe
     
    Standardsanders, Jul 9, 2012
    Standardsanders, Jul 9, 2012
    #2
  4. Jul 9, 2012 #3
    Roadrealtor

    Roadrealtor Road Train Member

    1,061
    1,070
    Aug 7, 2010
    Fort Myers, FL
    0
    Don't know about UC, other drivers and your Doc should have better info. I did almost 2000 miles with a catheter up in my business this summer.Had to drain the bag every 2 hours. Not fun but it can be done.

    Regarding confidence, errors on the side of caution are good. If an approach to a dock seems too tight, remember, other drivers back up there every day so there is no reason you can't. Just take your time, get out and look as often as you need to, and stab that trailer into that hole.

    Training companies...try Con-Way Truckload in Joplin. Their approved school is in Neosho. It takes about 5 weeks. If booked through CWTL, your out of pocket is about $1600. CWTL will pick up the rest. Once you drop your first load solo, your obligations are met. No holding you hostage for 18 months like other companies to work off your tuition. With you being a Vet, ask about the Veterans Apprentice Program. It may be better than the deal I got!

    CWTL had the best compensation over the first year of all the training companies and I looked at them all.

    Good luck to you. Thank you for your service.
     
    Roadrealtor, Jul 9, 2012
    Roadrealtor, Jul 9, 2012
    #3
    carina Thanks this.
  5. Jul 9, 2012 #4
    musicgal

    musicgal Road Train Member

    1,171
    467
    Mar 8, 2010
    Carthage, Missouri
    0
    If you decide to go with Conway, the school in Neosho is wonderful. It's at the Community College, run by a wonderful guy named Darrin, with great instructors who really work with you. That is where I went 2 years ago and I loved it there.
     
    musicgal, Jul 9, 2012
    musicgal, Jul 9, 2012
    #4
    carina Thanks this.
  7. Jul 9, 2012 #5
    lucky_dog

    lucky_dog Bobtail Member

    41
    23
    Jun 28, 2012
    shreveport, la
    0
    If your original problems arose from marital problems, you may want to be sure you get a local job. Being gone 2 or 4 weeks at a time may cause more problems marital wise than the job is worth.
     
    lucky_dog, Jul 9, 2012
    lucky_dog, Jul 9, 2012
    #5
  8. Jul 9, 2012 #6
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

    10,555
    5,746
    Oct 22, 2010
    32179
    0
    Life changing,

    good choice of words.
     
    123456, Jul 9, 2012
    123456, Jul 9, 2012
    #6
  9. Jul 9, 2012 #7
    vinsanity

    vinsanity Road Train Member

    1,760
    689
    Nov 23, 2009
    South Florida
    0
    Or it may make things better...
     
    vinsanity, Jul 9, 2012
    vinsanity, Jul 9, 2012
    #7
  10. Jul 9, 2012 #8
    Hegemeister

    Hegemeister Road Train Member

    1,912
    1,660
    Jun 16, 2012
    Mechanicsburg, PA
    0
    Being apart from my significant other did not affect our relationship. It's all about this person being your best friend. Communcation in any relationship is key. Of which you can do plenty of while on the road. It can also enhance your time together. Plenty of people do it.

    If OTR breaks you up, I think it just accelerated your destiny. Just my humble opinion.
     
    Hegemeister, Jul 9, 2012
    Hegemeister, Jul 9, 2012
    #8
  11. Jul 9, 2012 #9
    vinsanity

    vinsanity Road Train Member

    1,760
    689
    Nov 23, 2009
    South Florida
    0
    Yep, my wife probably talk more on the phone now than we did while I was home before going OTR.
     
    vinsanity, Jul 9, 2012
    vinsanity, Jul 9, 2012
    #9
  12. Jul 9, 2012 #10
    WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

    3,424
    2,143
    Apr 1, 2011
    Broomfield, CO
    0
    I might be prone to disagree. I think it depends more on your dynamics as a couple. Some couples have that state of mind where they can be separated for long periods and be alright; others do not, and one half (or both) may have that need for the other to be present. I'm sure there are cases where what you stated was the case, but I don't necessarily think that's any rule of law.
     
    WitchingHour, Jul 9, 2012
    WitchingHour, Jul 9, 2012
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2