Hello- Let me introduce myself...

PS: I'm not a Schneider recruiter.

 

Do you see your kids two nights a week (if you're lucky) plus the weekends? I would say two nights a week plus the weekends is much better than zero nights a week, no weekends, and maybe three or four days every month or two, for at least the first year. Not to mention leaving your wife alone to raise the kids, handle all the household stuff, run errands, etc. etc. - all for hopefully more money down the road, less until then. If you really hate your job, then maybe finding something else is what you need to do, whether it is truck driving or whatever. Just don't think it will be any easier on yourself or your family than what you do now.

BTW, have you ever driven or ridden in a truck before? Do you know anyone personally that does this for a living?

 

Brian, these are two good threads/diaries about guys getting into trucking, well worth reading:

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ers/160588-new-career-from-the-beginning.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...rs/137338-another-newbies-story-at-crs-2.html

Good luck to you.

 

Its always the ones who take the time to research and really weigh the scales that would end up being the better drivers and yet the discouragement in the background is so loud they stay away - and whats left over are the ones you don't want behind the wheel.

Maybe its time to encourage someone for once, yanno, the one who will help you out no matter where you are and for no good reason or payback, they just do it. They aren't rude and take pride in their job, the hours and time away don't get to them, sometimes they have their own truck running O/O and you look at that truck and the driver and drool knowing they didn't get that way by having a bad attitude.

There is no way to create legends in this industry unless they are encouraged to be one.

 

I say GO FOR IT!!! I am in the same boat. Well kind of. I have been in the same field for 20 years, the job market has pretty muched dried up, and if i want to get another job in my field I have to take 10-13 years off my resume because im "over" qualified. Then im makeing less money because of it. I make 13.00/hour at my current job because I had to take a pay cut because of downsizing started at 22.00/hour. It was either that or leave.

I am 43 ok ok i'll be 43 Dec 6th divorced with a 7 year old daughter, I start CDL school Monday. I am a little nervous and excited all at the same time. I am making a change not for me but to make a life thats better for my daughter down the road and I know it will be tough the first year but I have a family thats supportive. But if you dont try then you will always be thinking what if? Presue what you want and if you fail you fail at least you tried and found out.

I also dont have any bills except child support to worry about never even owned a credit card. I rent an apt that the lease will end Jan 12th just about the time I will be done with school.

If your wife is on board and knows what she is getting in to then GO FOR IT!!!

Best of luck to you and your family and please keep us informed.

 

At least you have heard what to expect.
To tell you the truth , If I was able to make a "good living" driving I would become a O/O again.
Although I think the dream would fade quickly the first time I had to wait for more then a hour anywhere.
The only real overwhelming stress I experienced was financial or an extension of being underfunded as an O/O.
The rest of the job was satisfying and enjoyable.