Help a trucker wanna be out! 2.0

Hi Folks,

Having done the introduction thing on another part of the forum I have decided to ask some questions. I have no doubt that that there is someone else out there in a similar or somewhat similar position to me but I'm going to go all out and explain my current predicaments, what I expect from the trucking industry and the wonderful advice I have read on here. To understand where I am coming from though, I have to explain my unique position and where I am coming from.....which in turn will lead many members on here to absolutely loathe me....which is fine since all are entitled to their own opinions.

I finally resigned my Commission from the British Army after spending over a decade as a Tank Commander.....the last ten years have been.....BUSY...to put it bluntly. I have been to #### holes around the globe most people haven't even heard of, let alone be able to pin point on a map. Two tours of Iraq, Three tours of Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland and Kosovo are the ones that come to mind first....a proud moment was being the very first call sign to cross the Iraqi Border in 2003 when George Bush said: "GO!"

My wife is originally from Alaska and is an ICU Doctor. We now live in Canada after she got sick of turning people away for lack of medical insurance in the US. The salary is comparable. I supported her through Med School and Residency and now find myself being the one supported. We have obviously done the long distance thing for many years and have never had a problem with it as becoming a Doctor was no small feat and rather time consuming and having spent 8 years ON Operational Duties in the ##*eholes of the world made time off for OTR Drivers seem like a dream.

THIS Brings us up to date. I thought I would get into property development since my wife makes a silly amount of money now but have found my limited mechanical skills (those of you who were in the Armed Forces will chuckle....after all, whenever an Officer touches something it WILL break) aren't all that great let alone the building trade skills needed for this and find I dislike it. I am currently looking to get my CDL and go from there....after all....how much harder can a truck be compared to a Challenger II Main Battle Tank?...just kidding, I know it's trying to compare apples and oranges.

As far as the lifestyle goes.....I'm VERY used to living in a much more confined space than a truck with THREE other People. My Wife and I have no children nor can we so that is hardly a problem. My wife works sometimes as much as three weeks straight without a day off so that isn't a problem either. I've always romanticized like many the American OTR Style of living though I have no doubt that just like Soldiering....the reality is far different.

SO....IF you're still reading this rather long essay.....here we go:

SHOULD I A. Go to CDL School and complete my training, sign on with a company for X amount of time and then leave and buy a truck and do my own thing?
SHOULD I B. Go to CDL School and buy a truck straight away?

Before answering this normally VERY obvious and stupid question I have to throw the curve balls in so here goes:

1. The reason I am interested in OO so early on is because I've dealt with dirty maggots my entire career and especially having worn my rank on my shoulder rather than my arm....had to sometimes talk to people like children about why It's important to wash! Tired of it! Not in the Army anymore!

2. I am in the unique position of being married to a Doctor. My other half makes a truck payment on a brand new truck in under a day and her and I have immaculate and perfect credit....So I am financially very able to make mistakes NOT having to worry about the expenses and bottom line UNTIL I come out of the red and into the black.

SO, with the above...SHOULD I still try to hang on for a bit to gain some extra experience with a big company? I completely understand that truck driving schools teach you....very little.....no different to basic training.....Experience comes with time. Perhaps a local job pulling something or another so long as it's articulated?


If you have made it this far, thank you very much for reading through and I appreciate any advice from you....the people that have been at this for years! Hats of to you, God bless.....and more importantly...GOD SPEED!

Many Thanks,

Goose

 

Having read my post again AFTER Posting it I have to say, that I didn't mean to sound like all Truckers are maggots!!!! God Forbid! What I am trying to say is that I've read WAY too many horror stories about awful trainers with big companies and knowing my luck....I'd get the worst of the worst! I just wanted to clarify that point!!

 

Thanks for the reply. (Jrivas23 I didn't mean to steal you thread! )t appreciate it.....this is exactly what I'm thinking...and I KNOW I need the experience first....the learning curve is fine too....keeps things interesting right? It's not so much that....It's being at a stage in my life where I outright refuse to be #### on. Hell, I'd happily drive for FREE for six months for the experience as "an apprentice" just to not have to deal with some of the horror stories I've heard about. Perhaps I am best trying to find a local company and asking something just like this......since in my case, Salary genuinely isn't an issue. I want to do it for the experience. Do you think local work would give me enough driving experience?

EDIT: The replies came in fast and furious and answered my questions already! Knew I was in the right place !

 

Why is buying a first truck so difficult? Curious now!