Wanting to get my CDL

That is an extremely accurate description of what it's like! I'm in my 40's and have been coming home to family for over 20 years. I thought I could just bear it for as long as it took but 1 month was all I could handle. I hated Otr! It's great that a lot of people enjoy it but it's not easy to know if it's for you. I always travel, for years now-but all alone and only stopping at truck stops which always smell like piss btw, is not normal traveling. I really enjoy driving a semi but luckily I found a local gig.Going Otr after you have a stable family is no joke. Jail cell is an understatement!

 

I'm single and have spent being unemployed in a bedroom so rather be making money than no money. Most dedicated positions only go a week out.

 

Well, a cdl with no formal school or experience is the hard, time consuming route to take.
With laws as strict as they are against trucking companies and truckers, I'd go to cdl school with either a trucking company or private school.
Since you've been on the road and like the lifestyle, look at Jim Palmer Trucking. They're strict, but run nice trucks set up for driver comfort. You can run coast to coast or just stay in the Eastern states. They send you to school in Missoula,Montana and pay for transportation there plus meals and lodging. Website has some videos and pictures of the trucks.
Shop around a little more before making a decision:
Wil-Trans - runs eastern half of USA and owns Jim Palmer Trucking.
Millis Transfer - need $500.00 for their school. Good dry van company mostly drop & hook.
Roehl Transport - They pay you, the student, a $500.00 weekly salary while in school. I like their National Dry Van Fleet. Hair follicle drug test will be done.
Celadon - they're under some type of reorganization, but I wouldn't let that scare me off. It's a decent school and can get you cdl and a job.
Contract Freighters (www.cfidrive.com) - dry van coast to coast operation. Send you to school in Joplin,MO and pay for meals and lodging while there. Decent outfit with good reviews.
Those others you listed; CRST,Swift,Prime will give decent training also, but I'd still shop around before making a final decision.

 

Look I won't mess around with this, you know the game, you already drove on your own, so you have one foot ahead of most who are starting out, even some who are sons/daughters of truckers don't have that.

Just do it.

If the kids are old enough to be on their own, get rid of the baggage holding you back and do it, I and many others think you will succeed to be a good driver and do well alone without the baggage.

 

Some state unemployment agencies will foot half the cost of a CDL school in your state. Could always check with them. You're stuck paying the other half which is through a loan company the CDL school sets up but Swift or SNI will help pay it off once hired on. Of course when you will see that extra amount is a guess but you'll be getting paid anyways so 60-70 a month is no biggie. I'm still paying mine off from two years ago.

 

Husband got funding from the state that covered 100% of his tuition. It takes about a month and you have a lot of hoops to jump through but it's worth it.

 

Follow your instinct.
I've left more than a few 'significant others' crying, watching disappearing tail lights.

 

The first year will be hell. Big learning curve, then when you think you have it figured out , you dont. Be ready to dedicate at least 5 or more years of your life going through different companies trying to find a decent level on scedule, pay rate etc etc. Driving isnt a glorious adventures lifestyle. Its actually one of the most boring jobs you can have. But hey if you enjoyed it with your ex. And you want to get back out there, go for it. I would suggest getting a local dump truck job, you can still make #### good money ( if your with the right company of course) be home every night, and not have to run nights or weekends it certain situations. Also if you wanted to keep the relationship going im sure tje boyfriend would be a hell of a lot more open to that idea. Good luck on your ventures.