I have had much time this year to think about what I want to do with my life. Although I studied poly-sci and cj, I can't think of how I would use them directly. I enjoy the freakshow of politics and keep up with the news daily. I love political discussions. Criminal justice courses were interesting. I have thought about law school. I have worked for lawyers as a law clerk and do not particularly like who they are. I have been in insurance sales. It's hard to sell something you DO NOT believe in. There has to be a passion for what you do.

The problem that I am experiencing is that I haven't been able to convert my passions and interests into a paycheck to put food on the table for my family. I have a very strong marriage and wonderful kids. My wife and I are discerning this together. I wouldn't even investigate this opportunity unless I had her blessing. And she knows how it rolls. Her dad is an OTR trucker! I still haven't mentioned to him yet that I am looking into this career.

The things that make me feel like it would be good for me are;

1. Solitude- I am very at peace with myself.
2. Pay- A man's gotta eat and my family needs to eat to.
3. Interaction with a diverse group of people.
4. Confidence that I can do a great job.
5. Professionalism- An element of myself that I can add to the industry.

Holy crap!! Another case of diarrhea of the keyboard!! Anyhow that is my take on things now. Useless, thanks for the posting. It really made me think!!

 

Have you considered the LTL companies?

I know a friend of mine works for Old Dominion. Most of those drivers get home every night or day depending on their shift. They also make above average pay for the industry.

I know for a fact that they also have an in house training program set up for their dockworkers who want to become drivers. I'm thinking that Indianapolis would have a fairly large terminal where it might not take too long to get promoted from dockworker to driver. You would just have to check into it. If your interested, there is another board that dedicates itself to the LTL industry...truckingboards.com

That is a very good group of drivers over there too. I've researched it alot myself. I've pretty much decided that I want to be an Owner/Operator though. It's sad too since the contact that I do have at OD could have me sitting in one of those green trucks fairly easy if I wanted it. LOL.

Anyway, just a thought. I think the LTL work is a much better life for a family man and the pay and benefits are well above par for the industry.

Arky

 

Sounds like you already made up your mind!

Here is something to look at, you are young and your marraige is young..
What I went through when I drove--

The calls from the wife
The care broke down--I wish you where here :cry: :cry: :cry: --When will you be home next-- I cant believe you made this discission--- Your kids are being abused by your ex-wife.. Bamm I go home!

Next time out OTR
I missed the famly, then came home and stayed--used my experience local.

Here response
I cant believe you made this discission :lol: I wished you'ed go back OTR, :lol: I cant stand your kids living with us :lol: :lol: :lol: Joke


Think real hard on this--because this above money is the most important!!

Slimland

 

Are you sure we were not separated at birth? We sound like twins...
I am a politcal junkie..constnatly listening to talk radio..(drives my coworkers nuts) contantly checking drudgereport..I was a political science major in college too ..and we both ended up in the insurance industry, and both are considering trucking..very strange!

 

OTR can be rough on family life. Cold Fosty Mug has throughly flogged the dead horse of LTL vs. OTR.

Beware of some of the promises of OTR recruiters. Some companies will say anything to get "meat in the seat". For some perspective on what you should be asking see:
http://www.ooida.com/Swimming_sharks...o_drivers.html

I found myself in a similar boat as you about 2 years ago. My last gig before becoming an overpaid forklift jockey who uses his CDL on occasion was working for a solar energy equipment wholesaler in Southern OR. I also came to the realization that I enjoyed driving long stretches or I5 between Sacramento CA and Grants Pass OR. After getting laid off twice from the solar energy field in one year I figured it was time to find something else with more stability.

When I moved to Reno after college Con-Way was hiring for dock-to-driver. I hired on in Dec 05, got my CDL in April 06 and have had a dock bid since July of 06.

If you can hack it LTL could be just the ticket for you. Depending on your seniority, company and job assignment you can be 5-95% dock worker/lumper.

Decent $, 100% hometime and good bennies. Do a search of my previous posts for the downside of LTL. Your 1st 6-18 months when you have no seniority will suck. My 1st year I earned ~$35k, this year with the odd voluntary Sat. run I'll earn $46-48k working an average of 42hrs/week on my dock/city P&D combo bid. If I wanted next year I could earn $~65k as a line driver. I've never had to sleep anywhere but my own bed in my time with Con-Way.

Take some of the talk on truckingboards with a grain of salt. Its a collective water cooler where people go to B*^&h in company specific areas.

Feel free to PM me if you have any ?s.

 

This is an email I received this morning from a representative at Ivy Tech/SAGE. Looks like they will help place you with local carriers:


Good morning:

You requested that we provide you information on CDL training and possible placement with local companies.

We are very interested in making sure we respond to you quickly and with the information you need. Your request came to us on Tuesday, 8/7. When did we get back to you? Did we provide you with the information you need?

We take great pride in providing the very best CDL training with only one-to-one behind the wheel time to make you the best driver possible. No other local trainers can make this statement. That’s why we never allow “observation” time. And, our programs match the curriculum of the Professional Truck Drivers Institute for range, road and class time, assuring you the best training available.

Also, we don’t place drivers or direct them to specific companies. We give you the most placement options allowing YOU to choose the carrier YOU want to join. Carriers come to us to recruit because they know the quality of the training you will receive. The best training means better career opportunities/choices that includes local and regional carriers…meaning more time home for you.

We also want to make sure our customer service is the best as well. That’s the purpose of this e-mail. Your response helps us to be better.

I look forward to your reply. Thanks for your interest in training with the best at Ivy Tech/SAGE.


Sherm Johnson
Executive Director for Workforce & Economic Development
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
Central Office
50 West Fall Creek Parkway North Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46208

317-917-5713

I'm going to call today to find out more about the program. Local or regional would be ideal for my family situation, there is no doubting that.

 

:?: :shock: :?: :shock: :?: :shock: WHERE did you get that idea??


Good morning:

You requested that we provide you information on CDL training and possible placement with local companies.

We are very interested in making sure we respond to you quickly and with the information you need. Your request came to us on Tuesday, 8/7. When did we get back to you? Did we provide you with the information you need?

We take great pride in providing the very best CDL training with only one-to-one behind the wheel time to make you the best driver possible. No other local trainers can make this statement. That’s why we never allow “observation” time. And, our programs match the curriculum of the Professional Truck Drivers Institute for range, road and class time, assuring you the best training available.

Also, we don’t place drivers or direct them to specific companies. We give you the most placement options allowing YOU to choose the carrier YOU want to join. Carriers come to us to recruit because they know the quality of the training you will receive.

[They also go to every CDL MILL in the country!]

The best training means better career opportunities/choices that includes local and regional carriers…meaning more time home for you.

We also want to make sure our customer service is the best as well. That’s the purpose of this e-mail. Your response helps us to be better.

I look forward to your reply. Thanks for your interest in training with the best at Ivy Tech/SAGE.


Sherm Johnson
Executive Director for Workforce & Economic Development
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
Central Office
50 West Fall Creek Parkway North Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46208

317-917-5713

As I said earlier, Sage is a good school, no doubt. But, this guy very skillfully dodged or answered your question about placement. He put a good face on the fact that they (and MOST) schools don't necessarily HELP you find a job. They give you the best opportunity/certification.... but you will be on your own pretty much.

Don't mean for that to discourage you! Just want you to start out right from the beginning reading between the lines with anyone/thing related to trucking! :lol:

 

Just from reading this thread, and with the caveat that I don't know you or your wife, the fact that you clearly want to stay local or regional for family reasons suggests to me that OTR should not even be considered an option. It's a weird world out here. While you and your wife likely have a strong enough relationship to endure the hardships, I would hesitate to say that it's worth it.

I don't really care about anyone but myself, so life out here is pretty easy for me. That being said, each time I do go home I feel a little more out of touch with 'home' itself. Since you do have people who are very important to you, it sounds to me (and again I don't know you) like regional or local driving should be the only options that you consider unless you are stuck without any other choice.

 

Thanks man, I appreciate the tip. I'm making a list of questions to ask them.

 

Don Corleone- I appreciate the insight. My wife and I are discussing the pros and cons. Home time is definitely an important consideration for us.