At a precipice

Company I'm with has me on 45 days out, then can take 5-6 days off. They also have 21 days out option which I think you can take 3 days off, and they are pretty good about getting you home at those intervals. Remember you only earn pay for miles driven, so no earning while you take days off. Project your mileage pay its easy you can figure 2500 miles per week low-side, up to 3000 miles a week high-side and multiple by cpm cents per mile. After 1 year this company gives 1 week paid vacation, and after 2 years of service its 2 weeks paid vacation. Also medical benefits really cheap. Good overall package here. But still if important to you to be home then you should be looking at a local or regional position, hopefully others can give you an idea about pay.

 

I dunno if you said it but I didn't see it if ya did...where are you from?

 

A little off subject, I was talking with my wife the other day and had to laugh.We was remembering back in the day when I bought phone cards and we would only talk once a week for 5-10 munutes. On a pay phone, hahaha.

 

For starting out getting your CDL you have a few options, you can pay for the training out of pocket or get student loans which is very expensive. You can hire on with one of the companies that provides training, normally requires a contract that you will drive with them for a certain amount of time to "repay" your training if you leave before the time period you owe them for the cost of the training. Next option is federal grant to go to school, pretty simple and quite effective. Search "WIA grant" in your local area, its offered throughout the country. They will put you through school, you will owe nothing and not have to sign any indentured servant contracts with the mega carriers.

As for the family question, I don't think there is a easy way to put it other than it will just suck.... I was there too and at the time I was out it caused me to quit training and return home to find local work. Bad move since my wife and I split up anyway and I am still trying to figure out what to do for work. The only thing that might keep you going is knowing that although you aren't there with your family you are out earning money to help take care of them. Your head really has to be in the game in order to do OTR with a family at home otherwise it will tear you apart.

 

I was in similar shoes when I got into trucking 3.5 years ago. Started with a regional flatbed company and after 6 months was on target to make over $42K the first year including the training period. However, I left flatbed for regional tanker gig.

 

If you pay out of pocket for cdl school, many companies will reimburse you the tuition costs. They do this with monthly payments to you.
Don't completely rule out tankers for a new driver. Tanker companies know what they're doing and hire new cdl grads every day. Jacksonville is a good spot for tanker work. One driver there got a local job hauling fuel and home every night, at graduation from cdl school.
Sometimes though, some of us need to spread our wings a little in the beginning before settling into the local routine which can be very boring after a few weeks.
Tanker companies do a heart rate test, so if this interests you then start practicing stair step excercises and brisk walking.
Here's some things you can do to prepare now:
Study "Cdl Practice Tests" - access this at the top of this page.
Google " Free CDL Practice Tests Florida" for more study material.
You will need: original birth certificate and original social security card (not laminated)

Florida has some resonably priced cdl schools at community colleges. Attend one that's at least 160 hrs. Most trucking companies that hire new cdl grads will hire community college cdl grad students.

 

Here's a few companies to consider. Keep in mind, some websites have "experience required" and if you see that on this list, ignore it because the website probably isn't up to date.
National Carriers
Abilene Motor Express
Freymiller
Tyson Foods
RBX Inc. - regional
Cargo Transporters - regional
McKenzie Tank Lines
Savage Companies - need tanker/hazmat for fueling locomotives at the rail yard.
SouthernAg Carriers - website has 3 yrs. exp. required, but small print has "less than 3 yrs. apply anyway."

Be careful with regional running; sometimes there's not enough miles for a decent paycheck. The only reason I listed a couple of them is because you asked.

 

My only advise because you sound like a white collar guy entering a blue collar world:

Please be aware that there are very gross people/establishments in this industry. I am a germ-o-phobic and my daily life is hell.