Thinking of becoming a trucker-need liberal rider program

I think it is wise to want to save for his future... I justt do not agree with arresting his development, sacrificing his quality of life and putting him in harms way to do so...

A 2 hear old should be taken to the park, the zoo, playing with other children.. not stuck in a truck for 24 hojrs a day 7 dahs a week with little excursion through nasy truck stop parking lots.. where trucks zip through and are certainly not looking for a mother and her toddler... adults have been run over and killed..

From those of us out here and know what the job intails, what it is like ojt here, what we deal with everyday we seem to overwhelmingly agree it is not a good or safe place for a child...

Which speaks volumes, cause we dont agree on double clutching, we dont agree on pre trips, we dont agree on many things... ut we do agree that this in no environment for a child...

Also, distracted driving is the cause of many accidents and a two year old will be a distraction.. as yoh will need to keep an eye on them ....

What if, hou are rolling along the interstate at 65mph in moderate traffic and you toddler strapped safely and co te tlh in the passenger seat begins to put something in their mouth.. you will not be able to reah them if u our in a cascadia or many other models... what are you going to do.. it is no easy task to get a truck and 53 foot trailer safely off the road... what are you going to do if your child begins to choke... you have to maneuver hour tur k and 53 foot frailer through traffic to the side of the road.. if there is room.. before hou can attended to, care fo and save your chomi g child... this happens to children, expecially toddlers every day.. but a mother in her car can get over a lot qjicker and easier than a mother in a truck pulling a 53 foot trailer..

There is a lot more to parenting than making money... and there are other opportunities to earn a good living without putting your child at risk or taking away from his quality life..

I want more for your son then wnat life he wojld have out on the road in a truck...

(Looking forward to Green Eyed Lady, Patij and the others to weigh in)

 

One other thing I think is immportant for you to understand to help hou make a decision. ?

You said your friend who is a truck driver makes 3 times as much as you.. I hope, as your friend he also explained that in the trucking industry you can have one driver making good money and another starving and going broke... so there is no assurance that you will make good money.. you may not even make as much as you do now let alone three times as much..

Also, there is a high turnover rate in this industry.. only 2 out of every 10 drivers make it.. and, when hou get fired, dont expect that the company is gonna make sure you and hour child get home.. hou can get fired at a terminal nu dreds of miles away from your home.. and it will be up to you to figure out how to get you, your child and all hour belongings back home.. or in a safe place like a hotel till you can figure it out...

We are not being harsh on you.. we are being honest and straightforward and looking out for what wojld be in the best intrest of you and your child... we are and have been out here and do know and understand how it is...

I can tell you, that how it actually is out here is no where near how I imagined or thought it would be.. for me, my desire and interest was in being a truck driver.. so the ups and downs, and curve balls that I have encountered I was motivated and willing to work and struggle through to be a truck driver.. if my motivation had been solely a good income.. I would of bailed in my 2nd month when my pay had been so sporadic and I pretty much existed on ritz cracker and cheap peanut butter and the ever so delicious and cheap ramein noodles.. I can tell you, fortunately it was winter so only have chicken ramein noodles or beef to choose from sucks.. but at least it was hot..

Another thing to consider is that not all trucks have good AC or heaters.. so, you got to think of what it will be like in the bad conditions not just the best.. do you really want to be on a 10 hour break in 100 degree humid weather and a crappy AC with a 2 year old who is grumpy, hungry and over heated..

 

Id say if you want to drive then drive, get your CDL and get a local job. I know a few single (women) parents who are raising their kids and working a normal local driving job. it can be done.

 

Slight rabbit trail here... I was speaking with a buddy yesterday, and he told me the going rate in my area for local drivers was 15/hr or less. I couldn't believe it - how can a company expect to find responsible people for that wage? Sure glad I'm not a local driver.

 

I agree that local would be better.. how ever she is a new driver and wojld have to train first which is at least 6 to 8 weeks out.. but I have know drivers who got stuck out training and away from bome for over 6 months and there have been others who were out longer... to be away from your child for many months at such an early age in their development is in no ones best interest..

The thing for us to consider, is th OP said she was thinking about it onlh for the money... and there is a difference on what ones motivation is.. why they are even considering taking the risk... just for money with a 2 hear old.. IMO.. not worth it... life long desire.. with a toddler.. still not worth it.. wait a few more years, enjoy raising your child.. days at the park, being home with familh for thier birthdays, watching them play with their friends... the desire to be a truck driver will always be there and so will the opportunity to become a truck driver... but your child only has one 3rd birthday, one first lost tooth, you get the point...

 

Most truck stops sell them... I know flying j, pilot , TA, Sap Bros, loves, Petro, do as well as many of the mom and pop ones ..

Oops... wrong thread... sorry.. ignor unless you need to know where to buy glad hands.. lol

 

The transportation industry in general isn't a good place for a single mother. I understand the need to provide for your kids but a truck is no place for small children.

 

Obviously I have been following this thread.I have read as it has mutated into one that has forum members telling the OP how to raise her son which is exponentially different than her question of locating a company with a liberal rider policy. perhaps my reading comprehension has been less than adequate but i construed your question differently than most it seems.

Op-I suggest that you go to that ellen v(something) and her site dealing with "women in trucking".perhaps there you can find a criteria based solution, or at least a more objective answer regarding your personal situation, to your question.please continue utilizing this forum even though it seems as if my fellow members are discouraging you from even entering trucking. as you concluded,this forum is passionate about trucking and all related aspects.unfortunately and in my opinion only,we got off topic,harshly so in a few instances.I am often guilty of getting off topic and of being harsh.

best of luck to you and i hope that if you enter this industry,you excel and can provide for you and your son in the manner that you so choose.I am confidant that there are companies that will work with you after you work your way up to that point.

 

I feel that if she or any others are to make an informed decision they need to know the truth... sure, we could all blow fluff at her so we and her feel good.. but, I am a straight forward shoot from the hip and call it like I see it.. if I want fluff and stuff I would be selling Mary Kay and driving a pink cady..

Also for the record, although nothing what so ever to do with the topic.. there are many female drivers who are not fans of Ellen Voi and believe she is not who we want or need to be a spokesperson for female truck drivers.. while she does have some supporter and strong corporate backing.. the OP should know many females feel she has sold wome drivers out.. now the topic of Ellen Voi and Women in Trucking is for a thread of its own...

Yes, this forum is full of strong minded independent individuals who will be upfont and honest even if it isnt what you want to hear.. but that is what keeps many of us coming back...

 

This is not a true statement There are plenty of local driving opportunities for a new grad to go directly to work in a day job. it takes foot work and how you sell yourself. no online apps go to the business and talk. it’s done this way all the time. people assume that you automatically have to go out with a trainer and live on the road. in fact lots of companies will send you with their day drivers until they feel you have gained enough experience to take out on your own. now its true OTR companies don’t hire a lot of local drivers who’s only job has been driving local because of the different types of driving conditions but the same can be said for local companies not wanting OTR drivers because they feel they do not have enough inter-city experience. Yes this thread has drifted some from the original theme but still the same, the lady is asking because she is interested in driving and because she feels she can make more money. she also said she has a degree which nowadays may not be worth the paper its printed on. Lots of 4 year degrees pay less than trucking now. while most local jobs start at around 15.00 an hour, after a few years you can be anywhere from 17-25 with at least 50 hours a week and full benefits. most yard jockeys are getting that pay. so just because you go to school for a CDL doesn't mean you have to spend one night in a truck.