EX-Railroader, soon to be trucker===

Well being an ex-railroader a steering wheel and highway is a new concept for me, as well as other traffic (in my lane anyway),convenient stores,scales,being pulled over and lot lizards, lizards on the rail don't last long or anything else in that matter, If I hit something I usually didn't find out until I saw the stain on the front. Anyway, I'm going to try my hand at trucking, I'm semi-retired if their is such a thing and hit the road. I start my training at C1 truck driver training in Springfield,Mo. through Driver Solutions Dec. 1 or 8th their not sure,booked school I guess. I've read all the bad and good about EVERYBODY and am thoroughly confused. The way I see it no matter where you go, suck it up for your 1 year contract to get your experience and foot in the door then start exploring other avenues. If anyone has any info on C1 in Springfield,Mo or any other advice it would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.......

 

I've been at it for 21 years and im ready for change, My retirement wont gain much if i stay another 5.

 

It's also about the freedom you get on the road, the solo freedom anyway

 

I worked for a Maintenance of Way company called LORAM, I ran a railgrinder for the last 14 years with them, Its easy to get hired on but you work 14 hr days,7 days a week 8-10 weeks at a time before your 2 weeks off, rough and tiring job

 

I would like to start enjoying life a little more and trucking can give me that, even though you travel its still not as rigorous as the 10-12 weeks at a time (for superintendents). I would love 4 days home a month......

 

I got my full retirement at 20 years, i'm going on 22, I was on the rail on a average of 320 days a year, 4-5 weeks out will be like a vacation, If I'm home 4-5 days a month I'll be happy. I also lived with a 12-14 man crew 7 day a week, believe me, that gets very old, especially after 21 years of it.