looking into a new line of work

Hey folks, New here an lookin for a few sugestions, after 20 years in the highway construction industry, at 39 years old, standing on the back of a asphalt paver at 350 degrees, turning screws, an slinging hot asphalt all summer is gettin real old fast. so is seasonal work, make about 40 grand a year with unemployment, steak all summer, potato winters! lol, there's got ta be a better way ! so I've been thinkin about drivin OTR, have my CDL, drove dump truck for a couple of seasons hauling to the paver an such, so i know how to drive an 8LL anyway, my goal would be to someday own my own, get the wife trained and licensed an drive team, at least we would be together, I'm gone in the summer all week anyway, this way we could be together, an maybe not starve all winter when we are together, between that an no money makes it real tuff on a relationship,at least I would get paid year round, so what would be my best way of gettin the ball rollin so ta speak, is it possible to get hired with no OTR exp.? any help woud be great thanx folks.
Dave

 

Thanks for the reply, I currently hold a Wisconsin CDL class A with HAZMAT, what would I need to upgade? thanks again
Dave

 

Hey Folks thanks again, So maybe ya all can answer a couple a more questions for me? is it possible to get hired with no OTR exp? like I said I have drove dump trucks all my life, even hauled a Elgin street sweeper on a 25ft tilt deck trailer, behind a dump truck for about two years. Also, what kind of money can a fella expect his first year, with no exp. see the deal is I will hit unemployment this fall, ya I make good money during the summer, but if ya divide it over twelve months, even with the unenjoyment check is about $700-$800 a week, have never cleared $45,000, would I be able to make somethin near that drivin OTR, I pick up an read all the little employment mags at the truck stop, but can't believe, everything ya read ya know. thanks again folks for the help.
Dave