So, how did you all approach your wife/girlfriend/significant other about this career

the first time with this current wife---"i am going back on the road"
for me it was a bit different tho--cause i was only home weekends or every other weekend(lived in different country)
now the 2nd time it kinda went( god , i cant wait to get back on the road)
she understands tho--which is great---and actually considers herself my 3rd wife--and a truck is my 2nd

 

Mine was easy it kinda went like this "you like clothes, nice car and the rent paid on time?', ok be back in 2 weeks kiss and hugs.

 

My current significant other was previously married to a trucker, and fully understands the nature, issues, and difficulties of the business very well. Time alone in the house is something she is accustomed to, but her part time jobs working at the grocery store and baby sitting fill her days, and she's always got stories for me on the phone at the end of the day. The major change for me recently was now I'm working for a Canadian company and staying north of the border. This gets me runs through the house far more often then when I worked stateside, and I'm taking one week off for every 3 out instead of the 15-18 week marathons I did with Prime. It's a much better balance all the way around. That's key for any career change. Every carrier has the things they do well, and finding the right fit for your needs as they change is how you'll last in this industry. Personally, I do not plan on staying out on highway driving past 50. That lifestyle is harder on the body the older I get, and that's probably why I'll switch to city driving at that time. I did make a promise to her as well that I would end my professional driving career by age 60. That I think is long enough out there, and barring any economic catastrophe, should be quite long enough to make money and start the 'slowing down' phase. Most of the older workers with the company I'm with now who choose to stay in the business after 60 usually work the docks (and there is a terminal in my home city), so that looks like a smart long range plan. Having her involved was a major part of the whole deal, and she's a big part of how we've planned our future. I had no nerves or problems at all.

 

If she has a problem with you paying the bills ask her to make your payments, lol.I read that you have a college loan that you have to pay when you start working. One way to delay that loan till you have good coin rolling in is register at a community college for 2 night classes,you don't even have to show up for them,just the fact that you are"back in school " will delay the loan payment date till you are fully employed. My oldest son did this,then canceled the classes,got his tuition $ refunded and was able to delay his loan for 2 years.Now that he landed a decent job, he's paying his loan off as rapidly as possible(50G)1/2 of his checks every month go towards the loan,he hates being in debt.His situation is similar to yours in that his degree(film study)is not being used in his current job (unionized school custodian)But hey it pays the bills,a lot of his college buddies are working part time retail jobs for peanuts,he considers himself lucky;excellent insurance,same as the teachers plan,paid holidays, vacation,12 sick days per year,plus he's off every friday with pay for a full paycheck all summer long.

 

First time out I had a girlfriend I was wanting to be rid of anyway. Nothing really wrong with her she just wasn't right for me. I told her this is what I'm going to do; we had fun good luck to you (that's the gist of it anyway).

I'm going back to it now and all I have is a good friend with some benefits from time to time. She knows I'm not happy with my current situation and backs me 110%. She even wants to come ride with me for a couple weeks if I end up with a company with a rider program.

I have never been the get married have kids type. Truth be told I have been single for nearly 8 years and I'm only 33 years old.

 

The last time I headed out on the road when I had a significant other, my response to the situation was "Darlin'! Have you met (insert random guy I met in the bar's name here)?" and walk away. But I have terrible luck in relationships. Sadly, that was the quietest I've ever ended a relationship.

 

Well I met the wife while hauling grain... Farmers daughter and all that she is just used to it. We got married at 18 and was hauling freight in state until my 21st then its been OTR every once in a while the wife and kid come with. She said I was going to teach her how to drive the rig and when our son graduates we are going to team drive. Once again you have to remember. Whats her's is hers and whats yours is hers also.

 

I was single when I got into truck driving, so it was a non-issue. Now, there's a reason I moved to Colorado, and when I had to approach her with the reality that I'd be going back to OTR, it was quite simple - it's employment, it pays the bills, and it's not a long-term thing.