Bad comments expected... but

[stinkyfinger]

I agree with some of these other posts> Think long and hard about leaving your wife and kids to go drive a truck. Alot of people cant make that "adjustment" Also that post from the driving school person...WHERE and WHO gives out scholarships for truck driving school. You can research till your hair falls out and I'll bet you the barn, you ain't gonna find any scholarsips for truck driving. Before you talk with any potential "school",check out ALL thier credentials,certifications,authorizations,etc.,etc .Also check with your local Better Business Bureau. And if possible current or former students.They CAN and SHOULD be more than happy to provide you a long list that YOU can choose from I also agrre with montanaman, If you are going to spen a few thousand on "education",why not go with something more compatable to a family,you know, computer type stuff or some kind of trade stuff

[dk132]

I would like to say that being a truck driver is not going to make you richer by any means. Become a comp;uter programmer or something else where there is beig bucks. It takes awhile to work yourself up in the trucking industry. Most companies are looking for top notch drivers when they pay the big bucks. You might start in at 32 cents a mile, which is not going to make you rich by no means. Over the road means just that... Lots of ice and snow and crazy drivers, driving nights, no sleep, out for 30 days, home for 3..whoopee..Better think some more on that. I seldom see my husband and I was essentially the parent when my son was growing up. This is no great Job when you are trying to raise a family, nor that great of pay. Best of luck

RICH who the hell said RICH. My kids aren't going to collage on my current salary.

[richey94]

I believe that TMC has a sponsership program that they pay for the majority of the school. They had local schools around me. There is probably a place or two that also does this.

We ended up borrowing the money and then cashing in the 401k to live on during training. We were in the same situation as you are. It is getting better financially for us now.

[-FlyByNight-]

Okie,

I want to first state that I drive for Crete and am not trying to rain on your parade, just pass on some info and wisdom to you. I was in Joplin, MO picking up a load of juice this summer and spoke to one of our Bartlesville, OK WDC drivers who was also there for a load. I asked him how long he'd been with the company and on the dedicated account and how he liked it. He wasn't very happy with the miles/pay there and was about to transfer back onto the national board. I'm not sure, but I seem to recall he said he was going to team with his wife, so that would have made a BIG difference in weekly income.

I recently had a friend of mine that I've known since I was in sixth grade and he was in third who is like a little brother to me. He's in a very similar situation as you. He has a 12 year old and twin 7 year olds. He works as an EMT and is just scraping by. He came to me and asked about OTR trucking. I looked him straight in the eye and asked him what dollar amount he'd place on being a part of his children's youth at.

I myself just watched my daughter graduate this spring and turn 18 this summer. I was sitting there in the bleachers remembering watching her mother graduate from the same school just twenty short years earlier wondering where the hell all those years went. I remember my daughter being your childrens age like yesterday! Cherish EVERY moment you can with your children when they're young, because NO AMOUNT of money will ever be able to buy those moments back and they grow like weeds!

Obviously, if you can get a local/regional driving gig like Bartlesville, OK WDC and are willing to accept the miles/pay, you'll be able to be around a lot more to watch those weeds grow. :wink:

Ok, I'll step off my soapbox now.

Good luck!

[okie]

Isn't this board loaded down with ex- IT guys, computer jockeys, technical field folks who either left their job to truck, or their job went overseas so they came to truck. Why would I go back to school learn another profession that may get me another 10 years down the road and no closer to the retirement or the college fund I will need. I too have spoken to two different Crete WMD drivers out of B'ville recently. They owe me nothing, they told me the good and bad as they live it. The bad is still with in a $20 bill of being double my current salary ( based on cpm only.) (Would it be worth it for a couple more hundred a month? NO absolutley not. But Almost double, I got to think YES it is.) I would be home about the same amount of time as I am now. All I get is comp-time when not at home. I average about a 60+hour work week now. Boy do I got the comp time stacked up. Then flip that to the other side and only allowed to take 96 max. vacation at a time. That would get me thru a few weeks of Central Tech PAID. The kids and wife do not see much of me now as it is. But when I get a bunch of "comptime" built up they get a whole bunch of seeing me because we can not afford to go anywhere. I am afraid I have my mind made up. I would love to wait until the kids at least get in school. But I do not think we can go thru 3 more years of "What utilities get paid out of this check and what do not. The wife could get a job, sure. Drive 40 miles one way, 2 kids in daycare all week long. What would that get us? Two children that never see either parent. Thanks again for all the input.

[acranger]

Don't forget the golden rule:

He who has the gold makes the fu*king rules





Go for it man.

[okie]

I chose the Schneider Job Fair, not as a company choice but for "educating myself" purposes. When someone from the lower pay scale of the trucking industry chuckles , acts shocked :shock: , then apologizes when I mention my current salary I think I am making the right decision. I also took the trusty calculator and did a little elementary math. If the raise trend continues for the next 20-25 years I will retire at $17-$20 an hour. I have gotten an average of 3.37% raise per year over 10 years. No promotions just raises approved by the legislature for all state employees. (Not legislators of course)
My health insurance rates have risen an average of 1.1%. So figure that in and it screws the 3.37%. I had a supervisor that retired a few years back after 25 years. I realize he started back in the day when salaries were not anything they are to day. He rode out 25 years of promotions, raises, etc. He retired from a position that paid $13 an hour after 25 years. Luckily he was also retired military.
So I am going to go trucking, it may take a few months to get the money together for CDL School but it is gonna happen.
I appreciate the input from each and every one of you. Good and Bad. Because that is what I wanted to hear. You all be safe. Thanks.

[jansiemoo]

[quote="Ian Williams"]You effectively disqualified yourself from an OTR job when you started a family.

My dad has been driving since he was 18.

I saw him 2 days a month most of my life, and he was a serious crabass when he was home.

A couple x-mases ago, he left after Thanksgiving, and wasn't home until February (when we finally celebrated)

And, my mom still had to work to help support us.

Make family time count.

[Skywalker]

Okie... I understand your predicament. And I also agree with both sides of the equation. Your wife and kids need you at home, and your family needs income. Just getting by doesn't get it... because all it takes is one catastrophic illness or issue and you're in the hole deep.

The secret is to find the position....in whatever place or industry that meets your needs...and even exceeds them.

I was offered a position with the State of Florida....but at the bottom line, the money just didn't make it. The pay was low...the benefits good, and if you could survive to retire...it was inadequate.

I came to this industry out of the business world, and have no regrets. I do well, and am satisfied with what I have made and my benefits. I make a decent dollar....this year it will be over $60K. But, I like some of the others here, am experienced so I command better pay by that virtue. It takes a little while to get to the higher pay levels. But even still... it can be worth it.

What I might suggest is that you contact Christine at CFI, 1-800-641-4748, ext 5718... and see if you qualify for one of CFI's programs. You may have to pay part of the cost...but I believe one or more of the schools is in OK. CFI is a good alternative to your problem and you are definitely in the hiring area. You can also ask her about the regional fleet for your area. It would get you home more often, and you could still make a good living. You can also email her at clathan@cfi-us.com .... just tell her I sent you. Nothing in it for me, since I'm not working for them now.... had to change jobs to be closer to home because of family requirements. But I'd still be there if I wasn't caused to make the change.

[okie]

As always I value your opinion and have read your post & PM's, to me and others. I shall PM you later when I get some time. Thanks again.