Comments By Zengrump

Thanks for the advice. Since everything I've read here seems to tend towards all the companies are basically the same and its the driver's attitude that makes the biggest difference, I wasn't sure if I even needed to look at any further. I have no special needs regarding pets, still a newb as far as the equipment and I already figured the standard 1 day off per 1 week out was going to work for us for the 1st year at least. The cpm he sent me in a follow up email seemed pretty good compared to what I had been reading. I think I do need to go back through the list of recruiter questions I saw earlier this week and pick out some additional information that would be good to have and see how everyone compares. That appeals more to my careful nature than the jump head first approach anyway. Thanks again.

That was quick. I got my ducks in a row to start applying today. I didn't see Prime on your list of auto applications so I filled that one out on their site and a recruiter called before I could back out to come here to do the application here for the rest of the companies. Kind of reeling a bit. I've never had something happen that quick before. Usually when I applied for a different position within my company, it was a multi week process. I guess its true, life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. (who doesn't need to reference Ferris Bueller every once in a while.)

Thanks for the encouragement! Your comment about Sunday hits the nail on the head. My kids are older now (college and 1 in high school) so they are generally doing to their own thing. Regardless, they and my awesome wife, seem to like the idea that though I will be gone a lot, when I am home, I will likely be more "present" than when I'm constantly focused on "work issues". My brother plays in a band with a tanker driver here in my region. He's been doing it a long time but makes close to my current salary, so it's nice to think eventually we could be in a similar financial position after a few years experience focusing on being a top tier driver (don't worry I already saw the reasons not to start on tanker). I'm a firm believer you have to learn a position thoroughly to have the building blocks to move into your next position. It certainly seems OTR gives you that firm foundation to figure out when and what or even if there is a next move. But I wouldn't have known any of that without this site. Thanks again!

My wife and I were just talking about this last night. Many thanks!

I've been lurking here for a few months now; reading all the required reading, starting the High Road Course (thank you for that) and just generally struggling with whether to upend life as we know it in my household or continue with a career which is wearing on both me and my family. A bit about me, I'm 48, college graduate for criminal justice back in the day. Worked in a prison for a few years and fell into my current career which paid better to support a young family. After 24 years I've had enough.

After reading up on everything I could on this site and discussing with my family, it was decided it may not be a bad idea to pursue by going through CDL training while continuing to work. However, continued issues at work have changed our thought process to where we decided to pool our resources rip the band-aid off and apply for paid CDL training. It's a scary proposition for someone who has always had a steady income since leaving college 27 years ago. However, as I've gotten older, it seems the tipping point between how much pay and how miserable you're willing to be keeps shifting towards the not being miserable side, if that makes any sense.

I've always felt being part of a supportive and knowledgeable group can assist in one's success. So, though I generally avoid all social media and tend toward flying under the radar, I'm coming out of the shadows.

I mainly wanted to introduce myself, let all the contributors on this site know how much their willingness to be open with knowledge is appreciated by us lurkers, and to assure you I will complete searches before I ask any of my new guy questions.

I haven't filled out an application in a long time so here's hope I get some responses to them. Appreciate your time!

Appreciate the input. Always good to get a first-hand account.

No sir, just a lurker up North taking a look at some of the driving schools between South Bend and the Illinois border. Driveco seems to have a lot of different schedule options that would allow someone to keep working during the training. Have you mentioned your school experience previously? If so, I'll delve back into your prior posts and take a gander.

Hey Jason, sorry if you have mentioned this before, but did you go for your CDL training in NW Indiana and if so, do you mind saying where?