To be or not to be?

My current situation. Work a what seems to be dead end out in Memphis heat all 8 hours on concrete job making around $1,400 month bring home, not to many bills around $600 month. Heavily considering the trucking industry as a future career and possible increase in pay after I put in my time.

Have 2 truck drving schools in mind.

#1
3-4 weeks long
$6,000 about - $5,000 for Contract with Trucking company for 1 year
Does not work well with current job hours.
Can start class immediately

#2
7-8 weeks long
$795 total + Cost of DOT physical
PTDI Certified training program
works with current job hours almost perfectly
Class won't start til Sep 1st

*I am considering both schools heavily one because I can start right away and just get out there and learn. The other because I would not have to to a contract I can pay for the school outright but have to wait another month. Which one would you recomend? Might be a stupid question and I already think I have a answer just wanting to see some of yours to help tilt me in a certain direction.

*Can I in all fairness replace my current income with trucking? I know I have to put in the time and miles and that is not a problem with me. Not looking to get rich just hoping not to go down in pay overall.

*If all of you could go back in time would you still decide to become a trucker?

*Would you sill consider to be one today knowing what you know?

I am not looking for a quick job to make alot of money right away and quit I kow it doesn't work that way but more of a long term career that I will be able to make a good living. I know things are never as easy as they appear on the surface I'm smarter than to think that. I just want to get some answers and feedback so I can go about with a more educated decision. I am never one to just jump into anything especially something this serious and life altering. I greatly appreciate all of your answers and thank you for your time.

 

Thanks all of you.

The only reason I am still considering the first school is becuase from what most tell me and have read you need at least a good 1-2years OTR experience and I will if all goes well I will stay with one company the whole time anyway. I know it is a contract deal which is kind of under my skin but if they honor it will pay $5,00 of the $6,000 for school which should put me out of pocket $1,000.

After I talked more with the second school found out need to pay total of $1,300 after books and registration cost and all which is more than I can pay at the moment. Plus by gaduation in November+ 4weeks with a trainer at company would not become solo till almost Mid-December which would be a nice welcome to a rookie with no experince at all in snow & ice would hate to start out driving in that right away.The good thing about first school could be solo by Mid-September wich I know is not much more time but for someone new to trucks a month could probably make a big difference.

Questions on some companies considering and to any input on them. I know some will be good and bad but hey I know not one company is perfect. I'm doing research on them just some driver input would be nice people you know or talk to that might work/worked there. Thanks Again a million.

*Knight
*US Express
*Marten
*TransAm
*KLLM