Wanting to get my CDL

Leave him and his children and drive a truck. Sounds like that's what you want anyway.

 

Trucking is all or none, as you probably recall from your CDLP days. My kids are teens, my wife is supportive, and can drive, as well. It's a definitive "family affair." You're either in, as a team (whole family) or you're not. Wish I could say otherwise. First year will pretty much be OTR (unless you'd be lucky, strong, and expert backer enough to find an LTL/food service/beverage job.)
It's pretty much how it is, ma'am.

Best wishes, either way!

 

good luck, life is too short to live with regrets. old trucker once told me, trust your gut.

 

Where you live will have some influence on what companies would be good to work for. If you live in Midwest or West, can stay out 3 weeks minimum, don't mind the screwy schedule hauling reefers, you might look at Jim Palmer Trucking of Missoula, MT. You don't have to live anywhere near MT. They have their own school, are a good company, have excellent training, and are honest.

 

Everything in life is a trade off. in this case you're talking about trading a home and relationship to live alone in a mobile jail cell. Trust me, the adventure wears off pretty quick and one night you'll be parked alone in some rest stop because the only truck stop was packed, you'll be dirty, hungry, lonely and you won't be able to sleep. Your dispatcher will be all up your arse about delivery time or some other nonsense that means nothing at that moment. You'll arrive at the receiver, on time, only to wait for 6 hours to get unloaded which causes the very same dispatcher to pull you off your pre planned load. At least this time it'll be early enough to get a parking spot at the truck stop 40 miles back down the road so you head there, get parked, get all your shower stuff together only to get dispatched on a load you have no hope of making on time...pick up or delivery...but you have no choice. Back in the seat and off you go again...and again...and again.

I'm mot trying to piss all over your plans, or tell you how to live your life, just to point out that this is a hard, often lonely and solitary life. It can be a brutal adjustment to move from one lifestyle to another. And make no mistake, this is a lifestyle and job all wrapped up together.

Sermon over. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

Getting that miraculous, and often coveted YEAR under your (her) belt is the paradigm shift, if you will. Doors will open.