Is bus driving a good idea before trucking?

Bus driving won't really help.
Where is your location? The bus pay is OK, plus home daily.
Depending on where you live, maybe there's another way into trucking sooner.
States have programs to get a CDL-A at no cost to you. It's called the WIOA Program.

 

Yes, but you can find a job thru this website also. We'll help you find something once you get the CDL-A.
Also, get all the endorsements when you acquire the CDL-A. Having the endorsements opens the doors to more job opportunities.

 

Look over and study this page for the endorsements.
The endorsements are:
Doubles/Triples
Tanker
Hazmat
@Bus_driver - also get a Passport or Passport Card. Either is OK for loads going into Canada.

 

Snohomish county, WA is a good location for all types of trucking jobs.

 

OTR pays by milage + assessorial pays.
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Are you averse to OTR or does it matter if you have a local or OTR job.

 

Old Dominion Freight Lines has 3 terminals near you. Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia.
Has "dock-to-driver" program where you work the docks and move trailers around on the yard for hourly pay, then attend CDL school paid for by Old Dominion Freight Lines.
As a driver there, can move up to over $100G per year pretty soon.

 

Old Dominion Freight Line completes new site in Washington | Trucking Dive