Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

Ok going to change subject here, I have a decision question here. Thinking of coming back to the trucking industry and going thru central to do it. Reason is thinking of moving closer to mother in law and my wifes brother. my wife and kids can be closer to family in Indianapolis, In. I live 3 hours north close to 80/90 toll road. The problem is i have a 16.00 an hour job working in an office with a micro manager for a boss and it gets real annoying having a boss like that and being inside all day to, but i feel family is important to teach my kids. Im just curious if i would make the same amount of money if not more being on the road. The other reason is my daughter is a type 1 diabetic and rileys hospital is closer if we moved she would be in good hands with family close by while i was on the road.We make a trip to rileys every two months and its a 3 hour drive if not more depending on weather. so i guess im just asking for some help on this one. hope this makes sense

 

Rpodman, I made 17.25/hr at my last office job under a micromanager. My take home now is higher, although I'm not sure how it looks come tax time since approx half of what you make is per diem at Central. This isn't the case with everyone and you have to realize a couple of things. One, you're not going to make much starting out and that is very hard without a savings account built up. It may take a 2-3 months to start making decent money again. Two, you are away from your family for long stretches of time. Have a sick lil one might make that very rough. That being said, I run all over 80 in the Midwest. I love my job but miss my family. Running regional is nice cause you're pretty constant on being home after four weeks out. Good luck!

 

This is way off the subject, but I am a WannaBe Trucker and I do watch you tube videos that truckers have posted to get more insight on the lifestyle etc..., but I keep hearing about this "Trucker Steve" person. I watched a video of his. What is so popular about him? Is he kind of a jokester type trucker that has just made a little name for himself by posting funny videos? Is he still trucking? I was just curious because I have heard that he is a little bit of a trucker celebrity of sorts based on his videos.

 

I get through Indy about twice a week on Kraft dedicated, so if I lived in Indy I could probably see home a bit more. At the same time, to make money you have to stay out for longer, and it would be torture to roll through my home town twice a week and not have time to go home. (good thing I live in Tampa) If your wife and kids dont mind coming out to see you at a truck stop though it could really help with being away. Kraft takes 5-7 months to get on, so even if that is your plan don't expect it right away.

Just a thought, hope it helps.

 

Money isn't everything... Family is... How would your wife feel about being a single parent? With the amount of time you will be away, that is about what she will be... Not trying to be a pessimist, but a realist. I've been that single parent, and my kid is healthy, and I only had one. Se is now grown and out on her own, so hubby and I are now out OTR... However it's still hard not seeing them... Good luck which ever you decide.

 

I personally warned my cousin and her husband what it would be like. Tried to ensure they were ready before he went to Central. They are now getting a divorce because she couldn't handle being a single parent especially during the time you are getting little to no money. That separation time can bring out both the best and worst in you as a person and as a couple. Don't burn any bridges with your current job so that if things go south you can return

 

My husband is a company driver for Central, and he loves driving. He wanted to do this for a long time, he was a mechanic and we owned our own shop, but the economy just got the best of that. I can only speak from a wifes stand point, if she is not ready it may not work out. I will tell you I hate the time he is away, we have 6 children which are all grown, our baby son is in his 2nd year of college. I hate being at home alone, I normally stay with my daughter during the work part of the week, because she lives closer to my job. I really wish I would take the leap and just jump on board and get my CDL and go with him in teams. But I have to say Im scared of doing that I feel Im in a situation of missing my hubby like crazy, and then if I go..I miss my grandbabies and my children whom all live very close and I see all the time. I guess what I am saying , there is no way I think I could have made it through our marriage with him doing this when our children lived at home and younger, but I do think it is possible to make it when they are all gone, but I would suggest to any one, try to do it together. I hate not seeing him and will probably have to see how I will overcome my worries of if I can drive a "Big Truck" as my grandson would say.

 

liteangel, I think I speak for several women, it is not easy nor to be taken lightly the decision to get behind the wheel. Some days I like it when I can just be a passenger, and somedays I love driving. Our hometime now is great because the kids miss us when we are gone. I HATE winter driving. A couple we trained with ended up getting an expediter truck because she almost lost it on ice and refused to drive a combination truck after that. This life is different, but I would do it all over.

 

When I was still driving OTR my wife came out with me for 6 months. We made the best of it and I was happy she was sitting on the right seat. She didnt drive, but she did most of the administrative side of the job and it made it alot easier on me.

 

mama mia, thanks for insight. And I agree not to take the decision of driving lightly. Yes, the things that scare me are OTR winter driving. The few other things that fear me are stupid and I would just need to have more faith in myself. I know nothing about driving a truck, but I know that is all a learning process. I know this I have nothing to lose by trying, other than time from my husband; which I hate being away from. I hate weekends all I do is sit at home crying, because my grown children normally have things with thier husbands or my boys are doing what grown college boys do. Just have to get some guts and faith and jump in....

Thanks agian for your quick respones.