Am I crazy for considering trucking?

You can't refuse loads as a new driver working as a company driver. Plenty of local jobs all over Alabama, but those local jobs have you face to face with customers all day every day and that's not good for loners.
Even vegans deal with animal products; leather in a purse, shoes, clothing, mayo on a sandwich, eggs, etc.
Just keep living a clean life like you do now and you'll be ok in trucking; life isn't perfect.

 

I am on my way to school.. an older lady who is not very large. When I went to the school to talk about it with them, they pointed the way to a state program called "one stop". This program will pay for school if you qualify. Many truckers on this forum will advise you not to go to school with a trucking company. They may not train you well, and they will have some kind of payback contract. Then you're stuck if they are jerks. It's better to get school on your own first. Even if you have to take out a loan for school, some companies will give you a bonus to help with that. Go see the schools, and see what they have to say about payment options. "One stop" is supposedly a government program to retrain ppl to take on some of the "most needed" jobs in our country... Trucking is one of them. There is also the community college route, with loans and grants as usual.

 

Wise lady. Did the research. Asked our advice... and took it to heart.

 

@redfurmom
Explore your options with grants.. companies that pay off loans if you work for a year, etc..
Those things exist.

Being female MAY give you a leg up.
Check with some women's groups in your area.
ASK.
$100 grant is $100 you don't have to repay.
Just honor your agreement when you sign on.
A lot of people say they will and don't like it.. wanna quit.. then come here ask g us how to get out of their obligation.

Then we have no sympathy.

Cover all bases going in.
Most do not.
They see green grass and leap the barbed wire into cow dung.

 

Most are usually in the month time frame, but those are with loathed bottom feeders that are generally despised.
Roehl has a much better reputation in the industry than most others.
15 months is NOTHING if you like your job.
You may be there for 15 YEARS !
Something you should consider is whether or not you'll be forced to drive as a team or you can be solo.

I can't do team. Nope.
You have to go to sleep while someone you really don't know barrels down the highway and MAY be sleepy.. or texting.. watching vids.. looking at FB... all while you're unconscious and at their mercy.
They eat chili and fart, too. Don't think it won't happen.

If you're a loner.. you'll want solo.
More sitting on your 10.. but it's You.

Go onto the Roehl forum on this site and ASK their drivers what they think.
Keep in mind a certain percentage are just salty and have a bad attitude.