New career for a middle aged lady ..truckin?

...not one to give much advice here, very similar situation and just starting out in school, but what i've found so far, is it's better to find a good school with a good placement rating, pay without financing and get your maximum certifications making you the best fit. as many above have advised, talk to as many people as possible, and learn. once you actually start at the school, start applying to the best companies that offer the most (beware, they don't always advertise the most), so when you pass & have your CDL, you're ready for the placement folk to hook you up with the companies you've already applied. no guarantees, but then again, you seem like a person who knows there are no guarantees of success, only opportunities. best of luck in your pursuit, hope to see more posts from you!!

 

Well my community college course is 160 hrs of training, normally over 4 weeks, but we're going to do it in 3 because of the holidays. TDI's course is 3 weeks. I start Monday, Nov 28 and graduate and take my CDL road test on Dec 16. I personally wouldn't want to go to any course shorter than 160 hrs.

As for reefers, check out my thread "To Reefer or not to reefer" for some great input on reefers. As I stated in that thread, based on the feedback I received, I no longer "Fear the reefer".

And, in fact, pulling a reefer is my first choice now.

Not interested in flatbeds at all. Have the tanker and double/triple endorsement and just waiting on my background check to be completed to get my Hazmat. So, I should be credentialed to drive pretty much anything when I get my CDL.

But I want to pull reefers!

And because I went to a community college instead of a company school, I'll have the option to select from multiple companies.

 

Do not sign any contract if you can avoid it with any trucking company. Pay for the training yourself if you can. Some money on hand before starting in this industry is a big plus because of so many new drivers trying to get in the door, you need to be able to out last them. Comfort and being frugal is the key to success if you come across the right people along the way. Good Luck Young Lady !

 

Good to know Gryphon. Some of those Community Colleges can go longer than 8 weeks!

Reefer is a piece of cake man! I never understood why drivers complained about it. There is absolutely nothing to it! Especially if that is all you know and do from the beginning. You have many more options for loads too!

 

Swift is a good company, when first out go for a large company and learn the ropes. I was nervous at first but don't listen to the negetive b.s. out there. I'm middle aged with a college degree and young kids at home. I started this career in Jan. , went through training, a few months OTR, kept my nose clean and worked hard to be on time. Now, I'm still with Swift got a great paying dedicated route, im home on the weekends, i know what and where i'll be going a week in advance. I deal with one person and don't have to wait on a load. People talk alot of garbage about the larger companies like Swift but i'm telling you theres more oppurtunity with these companies. I'm very grateful to have this gig. Kinda sorry I didn't do this sooner.

 

2zlady, why not go back to Texas?? Plenty of trucking jobs there!! Cali sucks!! There isn't much going on there and I'm sure you will like the paychecks you'll be getting in the LONE STAR STATE far better!!

 

Swift is an OK company to start with. I started with them myself. I may bash them once in awhile, but I was on their payroll, I earned that right! There were not as many lady drivers when I started back in the late 90's either.

Go for it, and welcome to the party!

 

Don't go about this just looking for a company to start with. Take your time, do your research, talk to people and then go land yourself a long term career with a good company! There is absolutely no reason why you can't! Job hopping is looked at the same way in trucking as any other career. No one wants to hire someone who job hops from company to company.

(just an example) If you decide you really like Swift and absolutely love everything about them then go for it! DON'T go to Swift just because you know they will hire anyone and you can get your foot in the door for a year until something better pops up. First off you are just setting the stage in your mind that this company sucks and you have to stick it out for a year. You will be miserable and really come to hate your current position.

If you decide you really do like them and are proud to go and drive for them and want to make it a long lasting career also earning your million mile stickers with them then go for it. You have now set the stage for a positive mind set and you will happily enjoy driving for them everyday and knowing you are set and locked into a long lasting career in which you truthfully enjoy.

No matter what company you go to you are going to have problems every once and awhile, some small, some big. This just comes with the territory. In life you have your ups and downs. You just have to realize this is going to happen no matter what or where you go or drive for. Another thing to keep in mind is that "the grass is ALWAYS greener"! Or at the very least seems like it.

Give it a shot!