Benefits?

Well it sounds like ur doing like the rest of us what's best for yo family it sounds like u did the research but remember this recruiters will promise u the gold at end of rainbow and when u get there the bucket is empty . Whatever u choose to go keep the pedal to metal prove to yo driver manager u are a worker u will get the miles good luck!!!!!

 

I just did a little research for you. I had to guess at a few thing but here you go. For three people 2 your age and a 9 year old to get insurance through the NC exchange for a platinum plan with a $1000 deductable and a $3000 max out of pocket would cost you $680 a month. A silver plan with $0 deductible with a out of pocket max of $12,000 would cost you roughly $454 a month.


BTW even with your sons disability this is what it would cost. They can not charge you more because of it.

 

I would check with some of the training companies, such as Swift, US Xpress, Covenant, Roehl, Millis, etc., If you want to do flats, then Maverick or TMC would be a good start. It is getting started that will be the challenge. I have no idea about the benefits or insurance offered by any of these carriers. You could check the company listings on this and some of the other trucking forums for minimum requirements. Not all carriers train or accept inexperienced drivers, so it will require some leg work on your part. It is rare, but some LTL carriers offer training. I believe that Epes is based out of North Carolina. I don't know if they accept inexperienced drivers.

 

OTR trucking companies have no better insurance than the general population. After the first of the year, there will be even less choices. The company plans will have to meet the same criteria as those offered in the Marketplace.
And another negative in your case is the amount of time yo will spend away from your family for the first year or two, while you get the experience.
You have HVAC experience. Why not look into a change of location to get a better job in a field you are already proficient in.

 

Who told you that? Because about half of what you said is wrong or you got confused. Anyway...

Obviously you haven't or you wouldn't think becoming a trucker is the solution. Think about it. You don't have a CDL right? So you would have to go through some type of training. That's a minimum of three weeks you don't get paid for. Then you get to go out with a trainer for another 4 to 8 weeks only getting paid $50 a day. And you are still not really hired on to that company. At the end of all that they finally hire you on making about $.26/mile. Now do the math.

.26 x 2000 miles (if you are lucky) = $520/week before taxes and benefits. Oh and you will hardly ever get to go home. But if you think this is the great solution to all of your issues go for it. You'll be homeless in no time.

 

Not all companies are that cheap. Boyd Bros pays $500 a wk during orientation and training and starts at .38cpm. Only problem for the OP would be school. It's all a matter of what company and type of work you choose to do.

 

If you know OTR is gonna "SUCK" for your family than you don't need to do it. You will only find out how much more it really sucks for your family when you are actually out there. Chances of you making it are slim and then you've really put yourself AND your FAMILY in a bad situation.

 

Melton Truck Lines has the best healthcare for driver and family. Check their website.
They don't have their own CDL school so ask them which schools they recruit from or ask the CDL school if Melton recruits from them. I'm guessing they want a 160 hr. or more school. They have many NC drivers.
Goodwill Industries offers free CDL school for NC residents if funding is still available.
Once you get one year experience, if you decide you want more hometime look at Bulkmatic in Charlotte.