Independent or Company Job?

[bikeman]

I'm 54 and changing careers. I've got a clean driving record and background. having worked sporadically the past 3 years, ding a year in that time as an Independent Contractor for Fedex Home Delivery. Also this past year I got divorced, sold the house and divided the profits and took time off to figure out what I want to do next. Here are the two alternatives I'm deciding between:

I have a buddy who is going to start operating a 1 ton van for Panther -- doing custom critical delivery. He wants me to drive for him and will pay .50cents a mile and I'll pick up the fuel surcharge to pay for fuel and tolls. I'll be out for about 3 weeks, then will slip seat with him for another 2 or 3 weeks. He thinks I should be able to average from 1500-2000 miles a week. Working with my buddy, I should be able to work out our schedules so I get the time off I want and can tweak things to work best. To work with my friend, all I have to do is pass the CDL test and apply for the haz-mat endorsement, then go up and do the orientation at Panther.

Plan B is to go to CDL school. It would cost me about $4500 for the school and 5 weeks of housing at a PTDI approved school. After that I would apply with TMC or whichever company paid the best and would hire me. I think I would plan on being OTR for 8 months to a year, then I would look for a company that would let me work 7 or 8 months and take 4 or 5 off to live in central or south America -- if its possible to find that kind of job.

I'm leaning towards the first, working for my buddy and seeing if driving works out the way we've talked about it. If I can stand being on the road for extended periods, road rage, hanging out in truck stops and sleeping in the van, then maybe I'll buy a straight truck and find a team driver.and get back on track for the 4-5 months out of country lifestyle.

Am I missing something big here? Is my driving idea do-able?

[mmiikkee]

off topic question? Why south or central AMERICA???

I wanted to spend a year traveling through south and central america learning spanish at different spanish immersion schools. Maybe I'll just find a cute latina locally to teach me spanish 8)

[bikeman]

off topic question? Why south or central AMERICA???

I like Latin America, particularly the women

[mmiikkee]

me too

[merrick4]

Man this has been my dream and one of the reasons I got into trucking. I've been to South America and speak fluent spanish. I almost didn't want to come back when I went.

I'm new to trucking so maybe I'm delusional, but it seems to me that as a company driver I can always come back and get a job. Hell I'll live in a truck if I can relax for 4 months down there.

[mmiikkee]

We have completely hijacked this thread, but yeah it would be cool if you could take all of your home time all at once, and bum it in South America. My future wife will be Peruvian

[SkynetSXT]

I don't see it being an issue with any of the major companies. I have a buddy that works for werner every winter he quits and go's to Europe for 3 months. They always hire him back because he leaves on good terms. He just has to go through orientation every time and never gets pay increases or vacation time. If that won't bother you have fun in south America.

[terrylamar]

We have completely hijacked this thread, but yeah it would be cool if you could take all of your home time all at once, and bum it in South America. My future wife will be Peruvian

Since it is hijacked and I didn't do it, I'll play along. I've always been interested in South America. Latin American Area Studies was my major at the University of Texas. I even thinking about retiring to Argentina. I wish I had more money, I would be goon already.