help with decision

background: part-time teacher, 12k/yr no benefits, 40 single no kids with g/f, looking into trucking. called local schools, ranged from snake-oil salesmen (and women) who wouldn't tell me tuition over the phone, to pretty stand-up advice...found truckersreport, contacted a few co's. have been talking to roehl about flatbed or van and studying for cdl permit.

the somewhat patronizing schneider rep told me that co. does not take students into their training program from new england...something about "3rd party training not recognized in your state." called local trucker assoc. and was told that's a line of b.s. thought schneider was stand-up, so got me confused about who to believe...

maverick looks outside of my region.

told my folks about idea, they're disgusted. stereotype of the industry it seems from educated family...even i'm trying to keep open mind.

driven coast-coast twice, and other 1000 mi. trips, camping in my pick-up. i know that otr is going to be a major wake up call with serious adjusting, and that living in a rig with a trainer with 20 days will be intense. i like adventure and being physical, staying active. i'm pretty clean cut, like people, but more independent than most. i need consistent decent income (40k+). my g/f's cool with one year home only 1-2 days a week. we don't live together. she's got a h.s. senior teen at home. figure after a year might get a job being overnight only 1-2 nights a week.

should i do this? flatbed or van?
any advice/impressions appreciated...thanks!

 

thanks for replies--as a 10-year part time college english instructor with a master's degree (= many years of school) i could go get certified 1 year to teach public school and get about 15k in debt. so i'm looking at other options where i'll be earning an income over $10-12/hr. which is what i end up doing a lot (fish processing/retail/construction).

the best teaching jobs are in math and science, not english, unless i'm willing to work in the inner city and get my education re-imbursed, which i'm not.

the more i work for an hourly wage, the more i see owners of businesses making their 6-figure incomes off of plebes like me. kind of sick of it. in the help wanted ads, seems nursing and trucking are two careers which offer "bonuses" to hire, and both in the 50-60K range. some sales jobs offer that too, but when contacting them it's pretty easy to see it's mostly b.s.

as far as being active, isn't it possible to take a 2-hour break from the road and swim at a beach or go for hike?

 

thanks man i appreciate your advice...i'm reading and talking to a lot of people.

seems that ex might have liked it better once you started making $$$ ??

i'm sure a year or more otr is hard on any relationship...any advice on how to deal with hookers and drug dealers when settling in for some r&r?