Am I starting out right?

I posted this question in another thread, but it may have been a little off-subject:

Well, this is what I'm thinking and perhaps someone can tell me if I am barking up the right tree or not!

I'm not a driver as it stands now, however the plan is to start school at the local community college just after X-mas. In Texas college tuition for vets is taken care of and I did 8 years in the Army. I have checked and the CDL course will be covered. If I go to a private school I'm in hock for $4K or so so the "Hazelwood Act" for veterans saves me money off the bat.

I'm in a postition where I don't particularly care to go OTR if I don't need to, and I don't mind the thought of local runs at all anyway. While I don't mind the OTR, home nights/weekends sounds pretty good actually!

So is there a reason I can't find a local job hauling aggregate off the bat or something? I have a couple of bucks saved and the house and car are paid for so I've even considered down the road looking at becoming an owner/operator.

Am I on the right track or do I need to rethink this?

 

Good to know that I'm at least on the right track!

As far as early starting times goes: there is a guy down the street that owns a dump truck. I hear him leave every morning around 5am and see him roll in around 4 pm or so. He has weekends and holidays off. Now after 10 years as a policeman and before that 8 years in the Army, weekends/weeknights/holidays off sounds pretty nice!

I would imagine the concept of getting puked on by a drunk is pretty rare for him too!

 

Well, the obvious question for a "newbie" to ask... Why not still haul it? Is the pay that much better for OTR or what?