A tough transition

Moe, you're right about that. It will be tough for both of us, but not impossible. We've spoke about it several times, I think what will save her is that she's going to college for nursing, so she will be proccupied for the most part, and it will be good to have me out of her hair for a change! Child care will be expensive, but again not impossible, we have a child care facility we've been looking at. I'm not sure about your family, but the thing about it is, we both made a decision that is difficult, a huge shift when compared to other career or lifestyle changes. However, it may also be rewarding for us and it will put food on the table. All of the benefits aren't great, healthcare is through the roof, that's why I'm going into the Reserves, that and I doubt I could quit the army cold turkey. The bigger picture is what keeps me going, my wife is due in December, by then I hope to have enough experience with Schneider to get a regional or dedicated route that will get me home more often in order to help take care of the kiddo. That's a lot of hoping, I know, especially the big hope that there will be a regional or dedicated position open at that time.

It's a risk, life's all about risk, but again the cards are just a little more in my favor when compared to other career choices. The plan is that we are going to stay at Ft. Stewart (Hinesville) until my wife is done with college, so we'll be here for about a year and a half. After that, we're moving back to Oklahoma. The area of Oklahoma where I'm from isn't doing too hot economically, jobs are scarce unless it's oilfield work, which I've before and I'm not too keen on going back. Perhaps by that time I can either decide to stick with Schneider, or get with another outfit that has better opportunities for the long term; I was looking at Cryogenics Transportation as a possibility, but they require at least two years experience.

Schneider is a stepping stone, a small part of a bigger picture, but who knows maybe I'll love it enough to stick with it.

Maybe not!

But there's always a plan, even if the first one doesn't work out.

Also, thanks for the warm reception, it has been an honor to serve - not always fun, sometimes a downright pain, but always an honor. Now I feel it's time for a change, I blame my folks for giving me a fever for the trucking industry!

MNDriver, there are a lot of us out there looking for work, believe me! Not all of us have a plan sadly, but I started early and I encourage my soldiers (and anybody else that will listen) to do the same. That goes with anything though.

 

Hey everyone, just thought I would give a quick update. I'm still waiting to get out of the Army, but I'm suppose to give Schneider a call about a week or so before I get out in order to set me up with an orientation date. There has only been one small issue that has been troubling me for a few days, I was hoping I could get some advice. One of my fellow CDL students went to Schneider as well - finished orientation and the training, he was assigned his truck last week and came home for a few days over the weekend. When I saw him at the PX it was his first day home, he looked a bit desheveled. He said that training wasn't bad, but that he has yet to be paid for orientation and training and that has put him in a bad way.

Now, this isn't such a big concern for me as I'll be getting paid by the Army until December since I'll be on ETS leave until then. However, it has become somewhat of a concern down the line. Is pay a big issue with Schneider and other OTR companies? What can be done in order to make sure that you're getting paid right? I know these sound like dumb questions, but I am sincerely interested in anyone's insight.

The better prepared I am the better off my family will be, after all.

 

It's been quite some time since I've updated this thread, but only because things have been pretty stagnant as far as the trucking side of my life goes. I've been very busy with outprocessing with the Army, and got my last stamp on the 14th. Since then I've just been helping the wife around the house and going to baby appointments (we're having a girl, by the way). Last week I closed the deal with Sarah of Recruiting - she's been very professional and helpful, answering questions promptly, and returning calls with answers to questions she didn't know. That was very important to me, at least she didn't just make up answers! I'm somewhat used to that in my former line of work.

I answered the questions that the medical team had and last Thursday the Wife and I headed up to Garden City, GA for a urine and hair sample. That wasn't too bad, it was at an urgent care place at a small strip mall by the port. The staff was friendly enough and after huffing and puffing on the breath machine and filling up the propper cups I was on my way. Today Sarah informed me that everything checked out and now I'm scheduled to go to orientation starting on the 28th in Green Bay, WI. I leave this Sunday and I will admit that it's going to be hard, we got a crib, stroller and car seat ready to rock for when the baby comes in December, however it will be difficult to be gone.

I know it'll work out, hopefully I can make some new friends out in WI to pass the time with. Anyone have any pointers for orientation, or Green Bay in general?

Also, for any other newbies out there - I'm starting out at .33 cpm (gotta start somewhere) and I'll be eligible for up to* .39 cpm after 6 months.

* "Up to" and "this is what you get" are too different things. Beware the words of a Recruiter, even the nice ones!

 

Should I bring along some Cheesenips to distract them with?