female thinking about going to trucking school ?

There are plenty of female drivers out there, a lot of them better than their male counterparts. There are some physical parts of the job, but nothing too serious. Biggest thing is don't let the truck or anything else intimidate you. As for the school fees there are ways to go to CDL school without having to pay anything up front or pay anything back. I'd be happy to explain it if your serious about going down this road. I think the job/lifestyle is all what you make of it and what you plan to get out of it.

 

Don't forget to include expenses in your calculations. There's more to making money than income.

 

I think my first driving job doing city P&D I made $30,000 in the first year. Lots of early years between that and $40k. Ran team for five years with a lady friend, made over $50k doing that.

 

You'd have to be willing to stay gone at least 3 wks at a time but, living In SA that wouldn't be a problem since it's in the middle of I-10

 

i lift about 15 tons a day,lol.

 

I think you will have to lift more than 20 lbs.. can't remember how much... but it's more... You are right about the change in "lifestyle"... it is a HUGE change... many folks quit cause they can't handle... the change in their routines, their habits, eating, sleeping, even hygiene... no social life, no contact with family... it's "good" that you don't have to worry about the social and family part... But not everybody get used to living in a metallic box the size of a closet... and the disruption in their routines... it's not easy on the body... After a while some people learn how to adapt but at the beginning it can be tough...
About the money... it depends... I have met people who could not make enough to survive after a few months on the road on their own or with team mates and ended up quitting... If you team, it can be tough... If you team with people you don't know, if there's any problem, and some times there will be, you and your partner will have to go back to terminal and find another partner... during this time you will not be making any money...
Please, read about the so many companies in this website and learn some about them... read from the new drivers and their experiences.. that's how I started my search in trucking and it helped me A LOT!

 

I drive thousands of miles.I lift nothing.

 

Shouldn't be that hard to find a job you can do. The hard part for most drivers seems to be getting enough exercise. Some very good advice on this thread.....especially the grant and community college advice.

 

As a fellow Texan I'll give it to you straight.

4 out of 5 men that go to trucking school and get their CDL and get a job will wash out of this business never to return.

I've been doing this 17 years and I very very rarely see a female that makes it long term.

No it's not impossible. There a a few , and I mean a very few gals that succeed long term in this business. But they tend to be tough type women that are tougher than men, with more tattoos than a hells angel.

You don't come across as that type of gal.

This business chews people up and spits them out.

My sister made good money waiting tables. Lots of restaurants in San Antonio where you can make way more than 25k a yr.

I'd do that while you went to school or figured out a longer term career path.

I'm a crude oil tanker driver, my boss recently hired a women that was a good 50 lbs heavier than you. She lasted 3 days, dropped a hose full of oil trying to drain it and had a spill. Boss told me she cried on the phone with him after it happened, he didn't fire her, offered to retrain her, but she didn't show up for the retrain, didn't ever call or nothing, just stopped showing up.

Good luck to you whatever you decide.

 

I'm 5'1" and 145 lbs. Chunky and wimpy, heehee. If strength is what you're worried about, start doing some light exercises and weight training. A little can go a long way. And worst case scenario, you have to ask someone for help. Most people will be happy to assist you. If this is your dream, then by all means go for it!! Good luck.