husband/wife team question..

If your wife isn't going to drive for a couple of years, she should wait to get her license for two reasons. One, companies require recent experience or schooling, so she will have to go to school all over again. Two, if she holds a CDL, most companies will not allow you to take her along with you as a passenger.

 

Husband and wife team driving is the best way to go if you are going to do it. However, if your wife isn't going to come with you for a while don't send her through school yet. Companies wont accept you more then a few weeks outside of school. They will make you take the course again before hiring you and as you know this is expensive. As for single driving until your wife comes aboard, I wish you the best, you have a very tough road ahead of you. Dont worry though once you are driving with your wife it will be a lot better. You will be treated a whole lot better and make a whole lot more money. Remember no matter what your marriage comes first, and in the begginning it will take a while to get into a groove and feel comfortable on the road. GOod LUCK!

 

It could happen both ways. I drive team with my wife and sometimes we don't see the house for a couple months. Other times we pass through three times in a week. Freight changes, and also it just depends on the company and where they run. More than likely if your going to be a trucker count on not coming home, then you won't be disapointed. Most drivers quit trucking due to lack of hometime. Otherwise there wouldn't be such a surplus of trucking jobs all the time.

 

With your qualifications wouldn't you be better off checking on running an expedite straight truck for Panther or FedEx Custom critical ? Rather than being a newbie Class A driver your experience would be a real asset .

 

Welcome to the forums, MB.

Are y'all confident that your son WILL be responsible in a few years?
If he's not, what then?

To quote Mick Jaggers,
You can't always get what'cha want
But if you try sometime
You just might find
You get what'cha need.

"PROBABLY" (have a little easier time)?

Or not.

Refresher courses are generally intended for EXPERIENCED Big truck truck drivers who have been off the road for awhile. Not for those who only graduated truck drivin' school, and didn't continue on to gain NEEDED experience.

For that reason, I agree with our lovely Leannamarie --- WAIT until your wife is ready to roll BEFORE obtaining her CDL-A.

Of course, there ARE truckin' companies that allow their experienced drivers to train a spouse, or another wannaBee. But not everyone is able to train their other half without causing friction.

A Big truck is BIG in the outside, but after being confined to the interior 24/7 for weeks, months, years at a time, it gets mighty small, mighty fast.

:smt075 Consider yourself slapped.
Let's see if I understand, ........... you haven't even hit the road yet, and you're already concerned with having a LOT of home time?
Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Knight also has a similar program, but I doubt runnin' like that would return top dollar paychecks.

Another thing to consider is that those plans usually require slip-seating. That is, every time y'all return to duty, y'all will probably have a different Big truck to drive.
Now, that may not sound too bad, at first, ........ but if y'all prefer to keep your Big truck clean and well maintained, and DO appreciate cleanliness, ...... imagine jumpin' into another Big truck that HASN'T been kept in that condition.
They don't install a new mattress each time either.

I've read and heard of sweet gigs like you've described, but I'm not sure if they're team operations. You'd have to inquire with various truckin' companies as to their availibility.
Keep in mind though, that gigs like that can be here today, and gone tomorrow.
If those gigs dry up and blow away, you could find yourself back to runnin' OTR.

Well, ......... IMO, you've come to the right place to be askin' your questions.

Here's something to consider though ---- it has been said, and I totally agree, that whomever is keepin' the home fires burnin' has the rougher job.
Try this for a few months ----

Let your WIFE handle EVERYthing at home, and I mean EVERYthing.
Pay the bills.
Maintain the house and yard, and make all the repairs necessary, and/or make arrangements to have that done by someone else. (Don't forget to set money aside for such events)
Let HER do ANY disciplining of the kids, if and when necessary.
Let HER make plans for special events, then, don't YOU show up.
Let HER make holiday plans, while YOU spend the time in a bunk sized closet, or at a motel --- NOT a part of the festivities. Remember, you're NOT there, ......... again.
Plan on attending your daughter's graduation, but miss it.
Let you wife maintain the cars.

See where I'm goin' with this?

Is your wife absolutely SURE she's ready and able to cope with your absence for extended periods?
Are YOU ready to come home after weeks, and possibly months, away OTR, only to be greeted with a mile-long honey-do list?
Git 'er done!
And be ready to roll in three or four days.
OH!
Don't forget to relax, .............. a little ---- while you're home.

It's been said that Big truck truck drivin' isn't a job, ---
it's a lifestyle.
And a lifestyle MANY can't handle.
No shame in that.
Just LOOK before y'all leap.
The swimmin' pool might be empty.

I suggest y'all do a LOT of research on the truckin' industry.
If, after doin' that, you're still considering truckin' ---
go for it.
Just make SURE you and your wife understand what'cher gettin' into, or out of, --- as the case may be, FIRST.
Do it RIGHT and your chances of succeeding will be better.

Good luck.