So Many Questions That'll Determine My Future!!

A $50k suv? Wow thats a lot of money. investing your money in a expensive suv thats going to depreciate quickly ? Insurance is going to cost a lot too...
I just started driving a year ago and recently purchased my first new car. Brand new off the lot...it was an impulse buy. 2015 honda civic...$23k out the door, making $300 a month payments. I should of bought a used car because new cars depreciate much quicker. But if that suv is going to make you happy then i dont see why not.
I made a little over $50k my first year...doing team driving though. Managed to save $30k my first year into a savings account considering i have no kids, rent, bills, etc... Someone gave me good advice to not spend money on frivolous items.

 

Im about the same age as you. Used to work at a restaurant making minimum wage....$20k a year....maybe less. Now im making $50k a year which is great for a single young man.
Keep in mind these older guys out here have a family, mortage, bills, utilities, medical, insurance, wife, etc.... $50k a year to them is barely enough to get by. 8Ts getting harder everyday to afford to live in this country.

 

Welcome to the group. I understand your needs but are you prepared to be away from your babies? Kids and families are the major causes of driver burn out. Hopefully you have family support.
Local colleges are a way of getting your cdl. Upon graduation you may be bombed with pre-hire offers of
employment. These are not job offers but an invitation to further apply and maybe attend an orientation.

I won't attemp to answer all your questions about shifting,weather etc, but will say that your safety as well as cargo and the public will be the number one thing taught in training.
Given your circumstances and your desire to get going. May I suggest a company driving school. Celedon ( Indianapolis ) has a new school and will pay your expenses,housing,meals etc. upon completion you will be offered a job and start your career.
Keep in mind there will be requirements to stay with the company or else pay them for the training. Check out their website and give them a call. I have no relationship with them and and only suggested because they are close to you.
Good luck.

 

So, is not knowing your father well due to his job ? Be sensible on the rest, perhaps cheaper vehicles and save what you can while supporting your family. $35,000 may sound like a lot to you now but watch how fast it disappears with out a budget.

 

When I became a trucker I never asked so many questions....let alone come on the internet for advise. Anybody that lists so many questions like this HAS got to be wrong for trucking.

 

The best route is private or community college CDL school, then go right in to hazmat/tankers. Good money there and some drivers that post on here are making $100K after aquiring 24 months experience.
Here's some companies that hire new CDL grads. Ignore what it may have on the websites, because they all hire new CDL grads.
Schneider Bulk
Superior Carriers
CTL Transportation
Groendyke Transport
SVTN
Tidewater Transit
With 24 months experience you may qualify for Trimac Transportation's "Elite Fleet" and jump to $100K+.

If you choose trucking company CDL school, then look at Earl Henderson Trucking. Their school is in Caseyville, IL and they provide 3 meals a day, hotel room(one person per room) and a guaranteed minimum weekly paycheck of 2100 miles @38 cpm.

 

OP,

All of these questions have been answered many times in the forums. Take the time to search around.

It's a job where regional or OTR you're going to be gone A LOT. Having small children will not make that easier. You will miss birthdays and anniversaries - maybe even Christmas. Be prepared for that. And, as hard as you try to make time to talk to and Skype with your family every day, the delivery schedule is the priority and you might not be done until it is past bedtime. Your social life will be just fine if you can maintain it in a 6x8' box in a random parking lot. Sightseeing might or might not be an option. The customers and freight come first. Life will change. Trucking is a lifestyle, not just a job.

If you struggle with bad weather in a four wheel vehicle, I suggest you get some more practice in. While, by law, you may be able to shut down in bad weather without repercussions, there could be other factors keeping you on the road - lack of parking, for example.

If you can deal with all the rest, then you put in your year or two to move on to a company that doesn't treat you like a rented mule - at half the pay. Trucking is a long term strategy for making money. Like I say, there are plenty of threads out there about experience and training and companies. Educate yourself. Then, when you can't find an answer to a specific question, feel free to come back and post again. Welcome aboard.