Looking for advice and info

Hello, everyone. I joined this forum to hopefully get some information.

First, a little about myself. I am a 48 year old woman living in southwest Virginia, originally from upstate NY. I don't smoke or do drugs, and never drink when I have to drive somewhere. I have no criminal record. I have been working at various jobs since I was 16, in different job types and industries. I've worked as a dietary aid in a nursing home, a customer service person in retail, a money counter, stocker, parts hanger in manufacturing, computer programmer, administrative assistant, computer technician, automotive mechanic, office manager, service manager, field service technician, delivery driver, web designer. I am currently unemployed, and disillusioned with the job market. I am tired of jumping from job to job with no real hope for a career, no benefits, lousy pay, and no retirement. I am looking for a change. I live in my own home with my retired husband, and we have no children.

I am considering getting into the truck driving field. I have worked at two different companies as a van driver with no CDL required, doing route delivery. The first time was 20 years ago, delivering cancelled checks to banks in the mornings and miscellaneous things in the afternoons. The second time was recently, last year, delivering pharmaceuticals to drug stores. I enjoyed both of these jobs very much. The first time, our company lost contracts and cut everyone's pay, so I left to get into the computer field. The second time, the company didn't pay very well, and charged the drivers for things out of their pay, so I ended up losing money working there. If not for the pay problems I would never have left either job, so I'm looking for another job I enjoy in the field.

What I like about the idea of truck driving: Using someone else's vehicle rather than my own, where I don't have to pay the fuel, maintenance, insurance, repairs, etc. Being my own boss for the most part, without a supervisor breathing down my neck every day like in most of the office jobs I've had. The idea of good pay, benefits, and job security, where hopefully I won't be thrown away because some supervisor doesn't like the shape of my nose or the sound of my voice or whatever BS reason they come up with.

What I don't like about the idea of truck driving: Extended time away from my home and husband. Possible sexual harrassment by other drivers/trainers/whoever because I'm a woman in a male-dominated field. Dangerous driving conditions, like traversing mountains in blizzards (been there, done that, not fun).

If I get my CDL and it looks like 1-2 years experience, I can go almost anywhere and find work. That appeals to me. I like the idea of having new skills that I can utilize, learning something new and exciting. I am nervous about the idea of getting behind the wheel of a huge truck, but I've been driving for 32 years, and have driven stick and automatic, vehicles as small as my 81 Honda Civic that weighs 1100 pounds, to a 14 foot box trailer. I'm not afraid of learning new things or driving any vehicle. My driving record is not spotless. I have 2 speeding tickets in the last 2 years, and a temporary license suspension because I didn't pay one of the fines on time, but that was promptly paid and cleared up.

What I am looking for is advice so I can hopefully avoid the pitfalls I've been reading about all over the internet in my research - the nightmares of horrible CDL schools, unsafe trainers, trainers who abuse or harrass their students, companies that lie and cheat their drivers, etc. I don't have the money to pay for my own CDL training, and with my debts I can't get any loans. I would need to sign on with a company that will pay my training, and I don't mind paying them back by contracting with them for 8-12 months or whatever, but I don't want to be mistreated and abused while I'm there, either. My goal is to eventually drive locally or regionally where I'm not too far from home and can have time at home with my husband. I know that probably I won't be able to do that as a new driver and will have to work a year or more before I can find that sort of opportunity.

I have tons of questions about the whole process of CDL school, testing, training, physicals, etc. I know one person who is a truck driver, and I've contacted him to get some advice as well. Hopefully when he gets back to me that will help. But the more info I get, the better. I would like to find a company that has a terminal somewhere nearby and preferably a school that isn't too horribly far away, either. I don't have any real interest in driving the entire length or width of this country.

I realize this is a long-winded post, hopefully if you've read it all you will be willing to answer. I am particularly interested in hearing from any female drivers on this forum. Are there any? Thanks for your patience.

 

I found out that our local community college offers CDL training from CDS, which I've read good comments about from students. It's only 15-20 minute drive from home, sweet! Now if I can get the money to go I'll be set. I'd like to try to get a WIA voucher to go if I can.