Thanks Rev .. that's a little clearer now.
Stan, the company I work for is closing its doors Jan 1 and I'll be outta work. I provide tech support and some engineering work (network) for them. The tech support industry is in the tank these days with all the jobs going to India. With my age, 53, and lacking certain certifications, my hiring options are poor at this time .. and what I can find will pay about $25K .. I'm making $48 now. I also have years of experience in construction .. sheet metal, A/C work .. but that field is weak as well .. again with the work slow down I'm looking at < $30K. Not enough to pay the bills.
I trucked a bit when I was young .. straight trucks hauling oil (drums & cases) or doors and baseboard. Loved it until my tickets (personal vehicle) got me let go for Ins reasons.
I've always had an interest in trucking, had a friend do it for a while, ads say you can make a decent living. I'm single so I can stay out a lot. I'm very mechanical and in very good shape. Most of all I know I don't know shit!
but I know I can do this and knowing myself believe I will really enjoy it. My hope is to sell the house and stay on the road as much as possible. I'll stay with family/friends when I'm off, but mostly work on paying off my debt (credit cards etc) which will be easier w/o a mortgage ... especially since I'm sure the starting pay will be nowhere near the $40K the ads promote!
I'm a bit of a vagabond by nature .. lived in a cabin in the Rockies, on a boat in the keys, my van down by the river, 6 diff states, etc. Though I've had my job for 2 1/2 years, and one a few jobs back for 8 years (they folded too) so I have a good job record, no tickets, no wrecks, no arrests .. I should be a decent candidate ..
Unfortunately there are not a lot of options out there for me, career wise. I do have a dog, and I would love to keep her with me, but other than that have no real 'demands' .. and if neccesary I may have to find her a new home. I'd be crushed but I'm kinda fighting for my life here, career wise.
I'm looking at paying my own school to open up my options .. a few recommended Katlaw, and 'Trucking Careers of America' out of Cartersville GA sounds pretty good. I'll go check them out this month. Both I can commute so I don't have to deal with iffy housing etc..
Thanks again .. good info!
Steve