Comments By Bryan E.

Good luck in your new career.

Flying to Conley GA tomorrow morning to start orientation with Roehl. This journey has been a whirlwind -- the High Road Training Program was instrumental in prepping me to get my CLP in OCT, completed private shooling and got my CDL in DEC, (both "one and done"), and now it gets real. I haven't strictly followed all of the advice from this awesome website (e.g. attended private truck school, only applied to one company) but I have very thoroughly read through all of it. I'm extremely grateful to Brett for maintaining the site and all of the moderators and other contributors -- my wife? Not so much ... she thinks I spend too much time on the site .

I'm thinking about describing the orientation for Roehl in the Training Diaries section as time permits, but we'll see how it goes.

Tim F: I'm planning to look you up when I get there (we're from the same neck of the woods).

Thanks all!

Never in my life have I wanted this so bad. In the last six weeks I have fallen in love with the truck driving industry. Before i hardly noticed a truck. Now om studying them, admiring thrm, analyzing them as they go by.

I've talked to some ornery people regarding my job searching but for the most part I love the people in this industry.

In a week or two I should no for sure if I'm doing this. In the meantime I'm studying for my cdl as there is slot to cover.

Anyone else ever experience this? I didn't have this feeling I'm college or any of my jobs I live had, and for the most part I've liked most of the jobs I've had over the years.

This is different. This is much different and if I decide to do this nothing will stop me as I'm determine. Believe me there is alot coming against me to do this. This could be one the best decisions I ever make in my life. It most certainly could be one of the most important.

I love the information. I love the encouragement. I love the people here even the ones I don't agree with. I love the high road cdl training manual.

I love that I can come here when/If I go to CDL school and go OTR. I can come here when I'm shut down for the night.

If i get my CDL this will probabl6 be one if my biggest accomplishments of my life, and I've had a few. I may ev3n put it above my four years of college as that wasn't hard, it just took 4 years. This is hard and it'll take serious determination. Your learning so much in a short period of time.

My greatest accomplishment to date is accepting Jesus as my Lord and getting clean and sober through Him. I give Him all the praise and glorty.

Ok I'll tone it down now, but it's the truth. If I get my CDL and drive truck it'll be my second biggest accomplishment surpassing my college degrees I have.

I don't know a lot about owner operator but I do know some are successful ay, and many are not. My advice is this. Sleep on it. Get your experience and learn everything you can about the business. Don't rush it and if you decide to do this down the road have ALL your homework done on it. It takes an extremely prepared and business minded person to be successful at this. I don't know a lot about it it is just my opinion. I thought about it too but if I do truck drive I'm going to be a company driver for probably quite a while, maybe my whole life I don't know. I'll be observing and I'll be learning.

I made a goal when I first started driving tractor trailers that I wanted to be a owner operator one day. Nothing like owning your own business and watching it grow. However if I don't try then in the back of my mind I will always think what if? And some of you fellas might steer me away from it and give me great reasons why to stay away from it and I'm open to, I'm a big facts guy and like to analyze a lot. That's why I'm reaching out to my Trucking Brothers for good or bad.

I have 4 duis and a felony that I later did get dismissed. I have a record but it's old. Been clean and sober ten years. I've covered this on another topic. Studying for my cdl. There is a slight chance I will be a corrections officer but I'm leaning on truck driving. I NEED this in this chapter of my life.

I've contacted many companies. I got two offers and waiting on a third. I'm taking the third if I get it. CC is one of my two. My other offer is better but hey if i would drive for CC if I didn't have nothing better.

There is a lot of disagreement regarding CC, but I have a soft spot in my heart for them.

They will give someone s chance no one else will. Yes they pat low. The company made that decision to hire the undesirables and pay them low, but once the experience comes they can move companies and make 60000 plus a year after a few years. Not bsd for somebody right out of prison and trying to do right with their lives. There are many people like me (I never been to prison just the county), that made mistake in life and changed. It don't always happen but it does happen.

NO it is not better for someone to flip burgers than work for CC. Youl still make the same in three years. If you drive truck and get the experience even with CC doors will open up. Yes they pay low but they do give raises and you will get your experience. Now if no-one else will hire you how will you get that experience. The company decided to go that route and it's a win win for the company, and for the guy that can't get a truck driving job with their record.

Regarding pay, it is 24 to 31 cents an hour teams, then it's split. And it's long haul. Let's say they put 6000 miles for the week let's do the math 6000 x .24 = 1,440 divided by two = 720 dollars. Not bad for a guy getting put of prison. That's more than I make. Let's try this 6000 x .31 = 1,860 divided by 2 = 930. Not bad for a guy getting out of prison after working with them a year. I understand it's lower than most companies, but the found a niche and it's a win win.

Regarding the person who works for CC and does good. That convicted felon (and I don't mean anything disrespectful toward the person) will have a wonderful truck driving career and the doors will open up with other company. They'll have to stay clean with the drug testing and will be a productive member of society.

Better than working a not so good job and getting stuck in poverty. I worked my whole life but never made real good money and it's almost like you get trapped.

CC can keep their labor costs down and be profitable while at the same time giving someone that really needs a second chance.

I'm not lying but I really like that company. I've been frustrated myself not getting jobs because of background checks. And if my other offers remit I'd drive for them. It appears to me you can break 40 k the first year with them, and that is standard. It is what it is.

Please look at all sides when it comes to things like this. Somebody who has a clean record and background don't have the hirability as someone that dont. When you got a guy the made mistakes but changed his life around it means alot to have a company give them a chance when no one else could. I think it is absolutely awesome that somebody that screwed up in the past can get a truck driving career gping, and so what you don't make what other drivers do the first year but they'll be over 60 k in a few. Never to get in trouble again. We hope anyway.

CC touched my heart and I'm not joking. Getting teary eyed thinking about it. I probably won't have to go with them. Better doors for me are opening but if I had to id be greatful, as I got things making me harder for me to get this career going than most. You won't starve on the 700 bucks a week for the first year. You would starve on 600. I make 560 a week. It's a small sacrifice to make less for a period of time to maybe say 1200 a week, buying a house, car whatever, planning family vacations with family etc. Etc. a few years later.

I minister to alcoholics, drug addicts, excons, etc. at a rehab center so this CC thing means a lot to me. I believe the owners heart does wanna help people, and yes he is able to probably keep his shipping costs down with his customers. He is a businessman, but I also hear he is a christian, and that means a lot to me. If his heart is in the right place I don't see anything wrong with how he runs his company. Much respect to him.

That is my rant and analysis of Carolina cargo. I'm not saying I'm 100 percent right but seriously God Bless that company.

If you pursue trucking and give it your best you should have no problems making a career out of it. The experience will open doors even with the duis.

Thanks Bryan. I talked to another company this afternoon and it looks like a go. Im still about 5 weeks away from starting so I need to wait a few more weeks to start applying. I will get in just maybe not through the path (companies) I wanted to. The time last company on my short list told to get my CDL and drive for 3-6 months and they will be happy to work with me.

I have 4 DUIs that are over 10 years old. I talked to many companies that will hire with two. The problem I am running into is no more than two. I got 3 companies that have me prehires and about 20 rejections and i repeat i have 4 duis. The 2 driving on suspended might be an issue til you get more time. You will have no issue getting issue with the DUIs bit companies may have problems with the driving on suspendeds. I talked to MANY that told me they don't hire with more than two. They will hire with 2. Am i allowed to list companies. What is protocol? Pm? Do some digging and if you still need help I can give you some my notes. I have alot. I've dug a lot the last few weeks. Worse case you may gotta get more time since the driving on suspended, but you will have no problem having a successful trucking career. Good luck.

So after wanting to get into truck driving for several years and unable to pull the trigger I am now finally able to. I am however running into several road blocks. First I have two DWI's that are over 10 years old. Four companies have told me that two is an automatic disqualifier. I also have two driving on a suspended that are just over two years old and several companies have told me that they need to be at least three years old. I realize that these circumstances are of my own making. I am determined to get into this field and am sure that there is a company that is going to give me my shot. It is just going to take research and diligence.

In my instance the only thing that can save my marriage is time apart. It's exactly what I need.

I can imagine it would be hard to deal with seeing the worse in people. I make 560 bucks a week raising a fam. I need this career change. Good luck in your career.

Bryan it’s hard to tell, both fields are hard on a relationship. I will tell you this from my experience. I was a career cop, not corrections a small town police officer. Proffessionally I did great. However after 30 years it cost me 2 marriages. It’s a tough career, but I felt it was worth it. I got into trucking after 1 yr off for good behavior, lol retiring. I had a plan in place for a semi local job but I had to get the cdl and 2 yrs experience. It took 3 for me to get there but I did. In the process it almost cost me a third time. At least I wasn’t married. Never the less it can be taxing on the relationship. In my case it was a curse and a blessing. After being gone for extended times frames this one learned to appreciate me more. People tend to get comfortable and complacient. Sometimes it takes a signicficant emotional event to get things back on track. I feel for you and wish you the best

I am able to do conform to rules and structure if I need to. It would take an adjustment but I think I could do the prison guard. The benefits for the state are real good. I want to see if it's at least an option due to my record. I should know more in a week or so.

My personality I believe would fit well for a truck driver. I'll be honest I like to be alone. I can entertain myself just fine with my YouTube programs i loke, audiobooks, or audio bible or different preachers I like. Unless my relationship with the wife would improve were on our way out. I'll miss my kids, but i would see them during hometown. I have no feelings for my wife atm.

I got accepted as a union pipefitter. Good wages after a few years, good benefits, and a pension plan. First few years would be a struggle. Just gotta wait to get called when they get to me. I expect it to happen this year. It's an option but if rather do the above two.

Of all employment I would rather drive truck and go otr for a year or two. If I don't like it or it just isn't working there is slot I can do with my cdl. I see it as a sacrifice but a win win.

I'd be tempted to take the prison guard with the hourly pay and it and benefits and I'm not ruling that out. If i did that for a year or two and didnt like it i could drive truck. It's a win win.

I appreciate your encouragement and this site. It's helping me to get the right mindset for me as it will be a big transition and change for me.

Being a prison guard is a very tough way to make a living. It's a terrible environment. My dad was a prison guard at the famous Attica Prison and he hated it. I lived in the town of Attica for twelve years and had a chance to speak with quite a few guards and all of them agreed the job is very difficult to deal with psychologically.

That being said, trucking can be equally difficult and it's plain to see from surfing the Web or talking to truckers in person that a whole lot of them are miserable. I thought trucking was a fantastic adventure and I loved the challenges you face in such a unique and dynamic environment.

Neither job gets high ratings overall from the people who do them, but for the right people they're fantastic. They really have to suit your personality and life goals.

I'm the guy with the four DUIs over ten years ago. Been sober for ten. 90 percent companies won't hire me. But folks 10 percent will! I got two for sure offers after I get my cdl. I'm real close to being approved for company sponsored academy paid by company as long as I work a year, and it's a pretty decent company and the terminal is only an hour from my home. I'm taking it if I get in. I'm pretty serious about getting my cdl. If that company don't take me I gotta backup plan for the other two offers. Academy starts march 5th.

Now, i am also looking at the Michigan dept. of corrections job as a correctional officer. As I stated I got that background issue but they are looking into it. Both options have pros and cons, but personally I'd rather drive truck.

A lot to deal with psychologically making a career change. Wife is not standing by it, but for the wrong reasons. I believe being otr will help relationship. It's not good, but I'm making a move. We won't make it at rate were going anyway. Perhaps the 11-14 gone and 3 home will bring some quality back in relationship. Honest folks, it can't hurt. It's not good. I have a chance to double my income in two years im not passing it up, and will make the sacrifices i need to make to do it.