New grad - try hotshot, or go tractor-trailer?

Thanks

Thanks TravR1, that's real encouragement! On the topic of IT people in trucking . .
When I was looking for the CDL school to go to, I visited Trainco in KIngman, AZ for a quick tour. I met 3 guys who were in the training class. One was a young guy in his 20's who had previously been doing software programming, and another was a 40-something IT guy with over 15 years doing IT work. The IT guy looked pretty happy about getting out of his cubicle life, and the programmer was also ready for a change.
Seeing them helped confirm my choice for a trucking career, and yes, TravR1, I am an introvert! I've got about 550G of audiobooks all ready to go if I ever do OTR style. Maybe after 3 mos experience under my belt, that will be an easier option to find, and I can gracefully unwind my computer business.
LMAO, end-user therapy sessions . . ..

 

The asphalt-hauling job thru CDS fell through - talked with the guy, he didn't seem thrilled about my non-experience, but was willing to have me come down and take a road test. He then asked me if I would be willing to work in Safford, about 160 miles away, and stay out there 4+ days/week. When I replied that I wanted to stay in the Chandler area, he decided to pass. Can't say I blame him, maybe the local work I was applying for had a shorter time horizon, and the amount of training I would take might not be worth it if I wasn't willing to work farther away after that was done.
Soo back to the job hunt!

 

Would love regional work - especially overnight LTL line haul work, would be perfect. Only option I've found for CDL with no experience through craigslist is to haul hay, they will train a new grad. Pay was $15/hr, but offered 12 hr shifts overnight, not sure I could do that and work part-time in my shop. 3 months experience would open the door just a crack, 6 mos would open up a lot of opportunities - I am really trying to not close my computer repair business completely, but I may have to if I really want to get working in the trucking field.

Just researched on google for the worst businesses to start - computer repair business tops the list

7 Small Businesses You Don't Want to Start

 

@Zeviander
I am pursuing, but cautiously - to answer your question . . .

Fear, I guess - I've lived a pretty comfortable life over the last 9 years, grew a lot personally and professionally, and have developed relationships with customers, friends, and other businessmen that I truly cherish. My whole life has been funneled through my business, and leaving my business feels like leaving my life, and starting a new one that is uncertain. (I know that sounds pretty melodramatic, but that's what it feels like).

I truly need to make more money for the next 10-15 years to be able to retire with some level of security, and I know I can't do it in this business, at least the way I am running it.

Getting my Class A CDL w\ all the endorsements was one of high points of my life, trying to do something out of my comfort zone and learning something completely different from my computer background. Its built up my self-esteem, to believe I can accomplish this radical life change. Going OTR would be a huge transition for me, and one that frankly scares me a little. Asking other people's opinions on what I should do has been a big help on this forum. I've prayed for God's guidance on this, and have asked a lot of my friends and associates what I should do. Some have encouraged me, some have thought I was settling for a lower path in life. My mother is assured I am going to kill someone or be killed going OTR. My sisters have applauded my courage to pursue this, and I'm not going to give up trying to make a better life for myself.

On a practical note, I only have about $800 in savings, and I have to keep working for now in my business to pay the bills. Reading about other's successes and failures on this forum has given me a baseline idea about what to really expect when I finally sign on with a carrier. Right now I only see the $$$ associated with trucking - but I know this is not just a job, its a lifestyle that one has to accept. I'm kinda unhappy with a lot of my life, and a new lifestyle sounds kinda exciting to me. Maybe it will be a new adventure - if I don't set my expectations too high and am willing to slog through the mountain of stuff I read about on these forums to get to the trucking dream on the other side.

Sorry about the length of this post, I guess I just needed to air out some of my own thoughts and emotions on this change. You asked a simple question, @Zeviander - i just didn't have a simple explanation.

 

Thanks, Chinatown - I applied for this company today. Their position is even in Chandler, AZ!!