Ready to make a change... I think...

Sounds like where I was at. Made about 38-40k with state paid benefits. Hated the job though. Got depressed, lost my appetite and stopped eating--it wasn't good. Finally retired from the state after 7 years and now here I am. Did get a decent pension out of the whole thing for only 7 years.

 

Some OTR companies have regional stuff too where you'd be home on the weekends or a few days each week at least. Get your tanker endorsement and haul orange juice or honey. You might get weekly home time, and you do that for your first year.

 

If you are stressed now, imagine what you will go through as a driver?

 

Plenty of local jobs. One good one is JRayl Transport and they have a Cleveland terminal. They have local/regional/OTR.
They also have a guaranteed minimum weekly paycheck and hire new cdl grads. Check with the company, you probably don't need an expensive cdl school; maybe a cheap one.

 

Once you get the exp you may dread doing that everyday.I got to the point where I absolutely hated going to work.Ten grand is a lot to pay to learn to operate heavy equipment.What you should do is start driving truck like side dump make your boss proud and he may advance you to the heavy equipment.You would need to drive around your city and talk to the boss.Here construction does hire new drivers just depends on the person.

 

Some cdl schools have weekend or night classes for people that need to keep their current employment until they get the cdl. You can maybe do that, then get a new trucking job lined up before quitting.
One of JRayL drivers posted on here, he has worked his way up to the $1500.00 weekly guarantee.
Guaranteed Pay - can make more, but not less.
Up to $1500 per week guaranteed.