Thanks in advance for any advice! I probably won't be able to post again until Monday, so if I don't respond to answers right away please don't think I'm being rude. I'm in the same boat as Open Road Guy from the Help A Wannabe thread. I'm currently seriously thinking about making the move to trucking, and from what I've seen and read so far it seems like it's potentially an ideal choice for me with one major exception: home time. I'll be getting married very soon, and putting in 6 weeks on the road with only 34 hours at homebefore going back out is a deal breaker for me. If I were single then no problem, but there's no way I could do that to my future wife. She's Mexican and doesn't speak English, so finding a support group for her would be extra tough. I've read some posts on other sites that say many companies allow a spouse to go on the road with a trucker, and somebody I know who is familiar with trucking tells me that truckers take their wives on the road all the time. Is this true? If so then that may resolve the issue, and I could pursue this career choice. If not, what are the chances of a local or regional job right out of school? Slim to none? I could do 2 -3 nights a week away from home, but I'm not willing to do more unless I could bring her on the road with me. If I can do that then I'll probably go for it. Just so you know my background, I'm 49 and would be looking to work about 10 - 15 years, maybe 20 if my health holds out. I used to be a software engineer (fancy name for computer programmer) for 9 years, but those jobs went overseas years ago. Trust me, I looked all over the country for a computer job back in 2003, and couldn't even get an interview. My situation was not unique as many other computer pros had the same experience and left the profession. If I could've stayed in that profession I would've. It's just not viable in this country any more. I tried being an auto tech (went to school for a year and worked for a year), but found I just wasn't cut out for it. I was pretty lousy at it actually! My background seems clean enough. No arrests, and no driving violations in the past 10 years. The few tickets I did get before that weren't major, except for a reckless driving charge back in 1987 I think. That was stupid...just in a real hurry to get somewhere at the time. Went to court and paid a fine and that was it. Nowadays I'm a very careful driver. Healthwise I do have high blood pressure that I control with medication, but no other issues that would disqualify me of which I'm aware. I've been looking at sites for truckers and am trying to get as much info as I can before making this decision. I need to go into this with eyes wide open, and want to understand exactly what is expected of me and what I can expect. I've read about the advantages and disadvantages, and feel I have an idea now, and I really deel it's something I could do and be happy with. Again, it's really just the home time thing that's preventing from going forward, and for me that's the only "must have." I understand I may have to trade off other things to have that (higher pay, etc.), but I'm willing to do that. I'd really appreciate it anyone could give me any advice, encouragment, or just flat out tell me that I shouldn't go into this field if home time for me is that much of a problem. Thanks again everyone. I've learned a lot from the other threads, and am looking forward to the responses for this one.
If it helps any, although my current location is Hartford CT, I'd be willing to relocate to any part of the country if need be. Thanks!
Welcome Rayodeluz-you have the right attitude to start ''going in w/eyes wide open.'' You will get lots of responses and yes wives can go depending on the company. You may want to look in the ''ladies room'' thread for some idea about living in very small and confinded space and what/how to do. Lots of wives are out there now or looking forward to going out w/their husbands. Good luck and keep posting!!! ps sorry I don't know any specifics on companies but check out websites for them -you can find the names of companies on this site under motor carrier /DAC to get you started.
Thanks Sammycat! Your response is a definite relief, and will encourage me to pursue this field. I understand that being new I'd have to put in my dues and do what's necessary, but I'm hoping after a year or two of experience I'd have a lot more options regarding regional or local jobs. I just couldn't leave the wife home alone so much during the first year. I'll definitely keep posting when I can. It's too long to explain, but right now I'm using a public computer which allows me to post, and the one I have at home has some kind of bug where I can't post a reply even when signed in (I can read responses but can't reply on that one). I'll have access to this public computer again next Monday, and will be able to reply again. Take care everyone, and talk to you next week!
Welcome to the forums. Yes most companies have a rider policy, but you can't take your wife, until you finish your training, that is usually 6 weeks. Have you looked in to a driving school yet? NETTS our of Suffield CT is a great school. That is were I went nearly 5 yrs ago. They are accredited, and if your unemployed look at the unemployment office for help with going there. I took the quick class which is actually a 8 week course, I went Monday-Friday no weekends, and learned a lot, as their instructors were top notch in my book.. Don't worry about high BP, as long it is under control via meds your all right. Yes finding a local job right out of school is usually next to none. Good luck and keep us posted..
