Newbie needs advice about getting into trucking!!!

Western Express corporate office and main terminal is in Nashville.
You might get on as a driver with the transportation dept. of Associated Grocers just North of Nashville on I-65. The transportation dept. is outsourced to a trucking company; maybe Greatwide.
Comtrak has a terminal in Nashville; mostly drop & hook.
R.E.West has a terminal near Nashville and is the core carrier for A.O.Smith water heater makers.

All these companies do hire new drivers.

 

Well first off you won't have a shot at a local trucking job that pays that much until you have your one year OTR. Even then chances are you'll make less more like $16 or $17. Then during that year of OTR you'll be "paying your dues" making peanuts, away from your family, living out of a truck.

If I had a shot at a non driving $20 an hour job I'd take it in a heartbeat.

 

When you decide which city & state you plan to relocate to, check Careerbuilder for jobs available.

Falcon Transport has a terminal in Nashville. Don't know about the pay. They hire new drivers also.

Averitt Express has a very large terminal in Nashville & they hire newbies.

Mesilla Valley Transport has a terminal in Nashville, but don't know about the hometime. Sometimes they hire newbies from schools they approve of.

 

Congrats on your permit. And as for your original post, no you're not an idiot. I'm going to assume you're not happy with the maintenance job, because if you were you wouldn't be looking at trucking. Working any job just for the money is eventually going to burn you out. A paycheck will not make waking up every morning and going off to do something you hate any easier. And if you're like most people in that situation it will adversely affect your home life even though you're home everyday. If you think trucking is something you could be happy doing, as well as a way to get you and your family relocated I say go for it.

Just go for it with eyes wide open. Know that the first year is going to be rough. Financially and otherwise. Be prepared for that and make sure your family is prepared for it too. They are going to be making sacrifices for this just as much as you are. Together you have to decide if those sacrifices are worth making for a chance at being happier in the future.

From someone considering the same thing you are ... that's the best advice I can give.

I wish you the best.

 

edited for post down below