IYO, is trucking for us? And tips for applying?

uRabbit,
I'd encourage you to listen to Danny on this one.

I have an uncle that's been in the industry for 55+ years now, who once told me "When that Diesel gets into your veins, you can't get it out again." Listen to any veteran driver (I've been at it for a little more than 7 years now, and it's also my opinion) when they say it's next to impossible to get back out of the truck.

Here's my story: Back in High School, I worked for my friend's Dad's logging company. Learned how to drive there (wasn't legal, but that's a debate for another time). Graduated, went to tech school and was a Harley mechanic for 3 years. Found out I'm not a "people person" and that there really wasn't money to be made in the field, quit and went back to driving trucks.

It wasn't long before I found myself in the spot you are, with a wonderful woman with 2 kids from a previous marriage (whom I adopted, and forever will be my kids). Kept grabbing gears, providing for my family. Job jumped a fair amount because, I can PROMISE you, as your little one gets older, those nightly calls home get more and more painful as you realize they're growing up and you're missing it. Fast foward a couple more years, and I ended up getting divorced because my ex-wife couldn't handle being a single parent.

There are a couple things, I would IMPLORE you to think about. You say you only want to drive for a year or two and get back out. Many of us started out the same way, but what are you going to do in a year or so, when the economy is still crappy, and you're still making a decent living in the truck (albeit at the cost of being home)? What happens when you get where I am, where, after the better part of a decade in the truck, you no longer have any valuable skills BUT jamming gears, and going back to minimum wage isn't an option?

Do you really think your wife can handle (more to the point, is it fair to ask her to be) being a single parent? Because that's the sad reality of the situation. There are exceptions, sure, but most companies consider 3 weeks out and 3 days home "good" home time. When my marriage crumbled, my ex told me "Being married to you is like being married to a ghost." Even when you do get home, believe me, after a few weeks on the road you're shot out and tired, and there are things that have to get done at home. 3 days ain't going to cut it. I, like you, started with the best of intentions to provide for my family. I did that, I just didn't get to participate in all the wonderful aspects of being A PART of that family.

And think of your child. The whole reason I felt compelled to comment on this is I can't tell you how painful it is to watch your child grow up and miss it all. Scouts, dance class, etc., I had to hear about it from afar, and watch it on home movies when you are home. And there's the holidays. Few things suck as bad as being on the road for halloween, thanksgiving, and christmas when you have kids. And if you think ANY company is going to get you home for the holidays, you are sorely mistaken. Know where I was for christmas this year? I drove from midnight to noon on christmas day, stopped in North Platte, Nebraska, called my kids, went and had my turkey dinner in the Dennys at the Flying J by myself, and climbed back into my bunk to sit and wonder how I let it come to this. I only get to see my kids every other weekend now. They're teenagers, and I have missed out on so much.

Anyway, my sincerest apologies for rambling here. If driving is your only option, find something local, dumptrucks, concrete mixer, school bus, something that gets you home daily during normal hours (running nights on a local haul isn't any better, I have a friend who tried it). If you love your wife, if you love your child DO NOT go out on the road.