Hello all,
I have been thinking of trucking off and on since about 2002 after I got my bachelor's. I talked to my family and some friends about it and the first thing they would usually ask is, "Well if you want to drive trucks why the hell did you go to college for 4 years?" Needless to say that statement sort of hit home and I got hired by an insurance company to become a claims adjuster. I did that gig for 2 1/2 years and decided to start a life insurance agency. I did a lot of driving for thatbusiness and funny enought, driving was probably my favorite part of the job. That business has gone to crap and I really haven't written any business in months. I have been doing the "Mr. Mom" thing.
Then this trucking bug bites me again. Recently I have been seriously considering the life and after some soul searching, I feel like I would enjoy many aspects of drving and the lifestyle. Thank God I ran into this site. Trucking company websites look like they put a silver lining on everything when in fact they are guilded pieces of crap. What I found on this site is a lot of excellent information and a lot of humor. I am very appreciative to all who take the time to inform wanna-be's like myself.
Anyway, here are some factors that I am weighing out. First off I'm 28 years old. I have a wife, 10 y/o step son and a 14 month old daughter. A lot of the posts that I have read say that driving OTR with a young family at home is one of the most irresponsible things that a person can do. Many of you have driven OTR for a long time and have a healthy family life. From what I read, a newb needs to get one year of OTR under his belt before doing anything local or LTL. I love my family and they are very important to me. I would like to be home weekly if it is possible. I live in the Indianapolis area; I don't know if that makes a difference.
I am not a druggie, no felonies, no DWI's. I don't take meds for anything. I am healthy as a horse with no physical limitations. I get along with just about everybody and believe a positive attitude is important.
One thing that may be worrisome is my work history. I have been an independent contractor since 1/2006 and really havent worked since 3/2007. Will this hurt me?
I have researched some carriers and have narrowed it down to a few. I like Roehl, Crete, and Knight. Celadon is local here but I haven't much info on them yet. Maverick sounds like an excellent company but I am not interested in flatbedding.
As far as schools go it looks like Sage at Ivy Tech is excellent.
My next step is to get on the horn with some recruiters and ask the appropriate questions and also check out Sage.
Please I welcome comments both constructive AND smartass! If you feel a need to let me have it give it to me!!
Thanks
P.S. Sorry about the superlong post.