Hello- Let me introduce myself...

I haven't been on here in a while and I just saw your thread and felt I should share with you my story. I haven't shared this on here yet but I will now in hopes that it helps you.

I am also a college grad but I'm a little older than you. I'm 45 with a 16yr old and 11yr old...both boys. I won't tell my whole story here but I live in a place where jobs are scarce and I made the decision to get my cdl and get a job driving for a regional company. I thought I could handle that in regards to time away from family. I thought it would be a manageable balance. I'm only 2 weeks out on my own and I'm having a VERY HARD TIME with being away from my family. I've been home both weekends but that isn't enough. I knew this would be the hard part for me but I wasn't prepared for the extent of it. I work for a great company and I've been very happy with every other aspect of the job but I can't continue being away from my wife and my boys!!!

I'm only sharing this with you because you are in the same place I was just a couple months ago. The difference is, you have a job now and I didn't. I'm trying to get on with my companies dedicated side of the business but I honestly don't know if I can hold out long enough to get there. I also have the support of my family to stick this out. This is all about my emotions and dealing with being away from my family.

I wish you the best and pray you make the choice that is best for you and your family. I also pray that you can deal with that choice better than I am!

 

Wow JT you only been out 2 weeks and are ready to throw in the towel. Even though you seem to get home on the weekend. Did you do much research before you got your cdl? Also is there a job waiting for you if you decide to quit. I could see if your kids were younger but you have to control your emotions. So you can keep a roof over your families head. You are not going to be put on something dedicated until you have proven yourself and get a little more experience. Hope it works out for you guy, but this might just be a home sick phase. I'd hate to see you throw money down the drain for a cdl and not at least get your investment back. Anyway stay safe and God bless.

 

I didn't say I was throwing in the towel! I did plenty of research and I understand fully what the situation is! I said from the beginning that this would be my issue. Yes my kids are older but that doesn't mean I love them any less or that they don't need me any less. You are correct that this is a "home sick phase" and my point was that it is harder than I expected it to be. I shared my experience only to help Brianman72 who has a younger family and a current job.

Please don't try to psychoanalyze me after reading one post.

 

Most drivers have families. We work to support them. There is this thing called work and most of us don't like it, but in order to eat. We must do what we have to do. So just saying pull up your big boy britches and Getter done.

 

I work for a great company and I've been very happy with every other aspect of the job

Just curious, are drivers not allowed to mention what company they work for? Each time I hear that phrase, no one ever mentions which company. However, we hear about the bad ones...

JT: Thanks for sharing, but please hang in there. I'm sure there will be a period of adjustment for you and your family. You must be having a down moment. Maybe getting closer to X-Mas makes you want to be home more. It will get easier w/ time. I agree w/ Dinomite, most people who's job calls for them to be away from home for long stretches at a time (not just truck drivers), do it because they have to provide for the family. When it's a choice between being away during the week, home on weekends, or w/ the family all the time but homeless, you got to do what you must do.

Brian: If you decide to go the company training way, I would strongly recommend you look into Millis Transfer, and also Roehl. I'm sure you'll do your research and make the right decision. It would be nice if you could land a regional job right out of school, like JT did.

 

I'm a lease operator with Dana/LTC/Suttles, we also have company trucks the Dana co. drivers seem happier than the LTC drivers. BUT they wont take an app from anyone with less than 3yrs exp. thats why I didn't bring them into it. If you do say you work for a good and say who it is you will be labeled a recruiter and then there will be 15 pages of name calling until a moderator shut the thread down.