Considering Trucking as Career Switch

Honestly go through a private school if possible. I signed a 6 month deal when I started at my first job. If I had quit or was fired, they'd have charged me for the training costs. I'll never go that route ever again. I hate be caught by the balls and forced to work somewhere I don't want to be. Just makes you miserable all the time.

 

That's not the top starting pay in the industry. It's not bad, but it's not the top.
Prime does have food grade tankers in Northeast regional.

 

You could become a Greyhound driver and be responsible for delivering many drivers to the fate that you escaped!.

 

That's gotta be fun... Every grown man coming on with huge bags, just getting to think "You poor SOB..."

 

I started driving after 28 years doing something completely different. If you can get your school paid for by your state or county employment assistance people, it's a good deal. Once you get your CDL, you'll likely get put into a position where you have to "pay your dues" for a year - look for an outfit that's regional, you stand a better chance of having weekly home time. When they say 5 out 2 home, they mean you'll be out for the full 70, and home long enough for the reset to kick in. The first year sucked, missed my son's entire Junior year in HS. After the 12 month gestation period, however, you're pretty marketable for anything local if you maintain a safe record, no failed DOT's, etc. Good luck. The first year was tough, but survivable, if you have to go that route.

 

You can get your cdl on your own for about 2k if you shop around, worse case pay the 3k to one of those training companies, research which ones are the best as some just give you a cdl with no real training. You can write off the tuition on your taxes. Also your future employer might even reimburse your tuition.

You can make over 50k starting off despite what everyone here will say, I've done it.

Dot foods has a terminal in NY and TN, you'll be home at least once a week and make around 60k your first year. They take rookies and put you thru school. I worked for them, one of the best companies I've worked for.

Closer to you, jb hunt has a rail yard in Harrisburg, I used to be a fleet manager and one of my drivers transfered out there and is making 1,400 a week local. You need a few months to a year experience though for them depending on location.

 

Don't go to Prime if you want to be home.

Talk to US Xpress or Schneider. These companies will send you to a private school and then reimburse you with a 1 year contract, SNI has its own school.

While these are megas that many will tell you to avoid they are a good option for you because they have numerous dedicated accounts that offer daily home time, home weekly, and even part time options.

It sounds like you're trying to avoid OTR, dedicated accounts like this are likely the easiest and most common way to do so.

Like Chinatown pointed out there are better options, Old Dominion being one, but they are highly selective and you might not have as great a chance with them.

 

Take the wife with you on the road.

 

Found out yesterday, US Express now has a CDL school in Olive Branch, MS