I Love My Family, But...

So my paperwork is being processed by Prime. I'm gearing up to go and trying to get things in order so life will run more smoothly while I'm away, and I finally decided that it was time to break the news to my parents that yes...I am definitely leaving teaching (maybe for forever)...no...I really don't want to take some boring office job...no...I don't want to revert to my previous career (lab rat)...and by the way, guess what...I've decided I'm going to get my CDL and hit the road as a trucker if all goes according to plan. ***Insert big gasp and shocked moment of silence***

It seems this is a very bad decision (in their eyes) in a long line of notable predecessors - in their eyes at least. I'm leaving my house and my animals in the care of my oldest son and his fiance' (which, I might add, is yet ANOTHER bad decision), and honestly, I feel good about it. My son put me through the wringer during his teenage years...made some terrible decisions (wonder where he gets it?), got into drugs, spent some time in jail for minor criminal offenses...but he's done what he needed to do to turn his life around. He has a good woman that he loves and a one year old son, and he's doing really well. So, why not? Everyone deserves a second chance in life, and I think he's earned it. The two of them are struggling financially, trying to get on their feet, and living in my house is a win-win for everyone.

I might toss in here that I'm 48...although my parents still see me as an irresponsible youngster. It's frustrating... I've always been extremely independent, and I insist on doing things my way even if it might turn out that I screwed up. I'm a risk-taker, an adventurer, and I just can't seem to do it any other way. I love who I am. My parents and I are polar opposites in a lot of ways. Right or wrong, I'm taking my leap and doing this. Things always seem to work out in the end.

Sorry for the "rant"...LOL Just needed to vent.

I can relate Kat. I too am 48 and it seems that over the last few years every decision I have made has gone wrong. It has gotten me to the point that I almost avoid making any decisions at all. Follow your heart..do what you feel you have to do to make your life better ans achieve your goals. Give me a shout if you need to vent. Good luck on your journey!

Funny how people are so negative about trucking. It's a good job and has the opportunity to pay decent if you put in the effort. When someone asks what I do for a living I'm proud to say I'm a truck driver.

Good luck and you picked a great company to start your career. Prime is awesome, loved it there.

Kat, You are in charge of your life! Nothing ventured nothing gained. Go for it. I will be 56 next month, and I have made a 2 year personal commitment to this Profession. All of my research has led me to the fact that 2 years is a reasonable time frame to learn this Gig. I will re assess at the 2 year mark. you will be just fine. FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS

I can relate Kat. I too am 48 and it seems that over the last few years every decision I have made has gone wrong. It has gotten me to the point that I almost avoid making any decisions at all.

As "interesting" as my life has been over my adult years, I only really regret one decision...marrying my now ex-husband. That's a story all in itself though. Most of my decisions have turned out ok, even those that didn't turn out quite according to plan. Talk to my parents however, and they'd tell you that I totally screwed up my life. LOL I turned out ok. I've never been in real trouble. I have two college degrees and am a professional, hard-working woman. I see my independent nature as a good thing, and it's really served me well when I've found myself in situations where someone like my sister would have folded and gone running home to momma. Thank goodness I don't need other people's approval to be happy. I'd REALLY be a mess.

I'm looking forward to this new chapter in my life! I'm sure it's going to be challenging and difficult, but those two words have never deterred me before.

Kat, if possible, don't let it bother you. I was a businessman in my community for thirty years. When I retired I took it easy for a few years and then I jumped into this full force. My former friend's jaws would drop when they heard what I was going to do.

Truck drivers have brought on themselves a poor image and perception by the general public. You don't have to be average in this business, I've made a point to stand out ss a professional and it has served me well.

I wish you every success as you pursue this rewarding career. Remember every time you hit a snag, and you will, we are here to help you get focused on and lay hold of the prize before you.

Sorry for the "rant"...LOL Just needed to vent.

Loved it!

Trust me, 99% of the time people get the shock and horror response when they say they're going to become truck drivers. I was doing college level calculus at 15 years old and could have been a rocket scientist. When I told my ma at 21 I was gonna be a truck driver she almost jumped straight into her grave!

Actually most of the decisions I've made had horrified her at first. But over the years she's learned that things always work out great for me one way or the other. I go into things for the fun, the adventure, and to learn new things and in the end I always get some of all three.

Getting into trucking, from a career standpoint, really entails very little risk. You can go to school for cheap (or even free!), the schooling doesn't last long, and you can walk away anytime you like. No big deal.

So if you're gonna go for it then go all in and make it happen. It's going to be a rollercoaster ride for the first 6 - 12 months but you'll have enough memories to fill a barn before you know it.

Hey Kat,

As far as the teaching part goes, my story may be somewhat similar to yours. Two college degrees (B.S. in Business Admin. & M.A. in Education) and have been teaching Business classes for the last seven years. When I first got into teaching, I thought I was getting into something where I could make a real contribution and do something that mattered. Not so sure I still feel that way about teaching in general, but I do know that I am just totally burned out on it. Between the underhanded shenanigans that Administration often pulls and no matter how successful your students are in competitions and stuff, nothing you ever do is quite good enough to suit them. Since our new superintendent came in three years ago, long-time teachers and other staff members have been leaving like rats from a sinking ship. I recently decided it was my turn, but I just didn't want to get another job teaching. I had driven OTR for a few years like thirty years ago and had been missing it in the last couple of years any time a nice rig would go by me on the interstate. Thinking about them seeing the country and new places all the time, etc., etc. Not to mention how much nicer the equipment is these days! I always did enjoy operating the trucks and driving. I decided that this would be the perfect time to make the change as I will have my three summer paychecks coming in while I do CDL school and training. I figure that I should be able complete both, or very nearly, by the time those checks are done. Will definitely make it easier to concentrate on my training and not bills and money! I start CDL school June 6th and cannot wait for it to get here! I am so jazzed and excited and eager to get started!!

I wish us both good luck!!

DSTURBD

DSTURBD -

Where are you going to get your CDL?

My story is just about the same, except I'm 14 years in and totally burned out. I think I'd start selling my possessions rather than take another job in the classroom, and I find that sad. I love teaching...when I'm allowed to close my door and do what I was hired to do...but now there is too much BS with the ever-changing admins, backstabbing and lack of accountability. I'm so done. I, like you, am hoping to get as far as possible before those summer paycheck so run out, and I'm looking very forward to a different kind of stress in my life. I'm an introvert and I love solitude, but I think I'm going to miss my dog. That's the only drawback to this deal that I can see right now.

Good luck to you! I'm waiting on a start date...hoping early June.

DSTURBD -

Where are you going to get your CDL?

My story is just about the same, except I'm 14 years in and totally burned out. I think I'd start selling my possessions rather than take another job in the classroom, and I find that sad. I love teaching...when I'm allowed to close my door and do what I was hired to do...but now there is too much BS with the ever-changing admins, backstabbing and lack of accountability. I'm so done. I, like you, am hoping to get as far as possible before those summer paycheck so run out, and I'm looking very forward to a different kind of stress in my life. I'm an introvert and I love solitude, but I think I'm going to miss my dog. That's the only drawback to this deal that I can see right now.

Good luck to you! I'm waiting on a start date...hoping early June.

Hey there Kat,

I'm going to Stevens Transport's school in Keenesburg, CO. It was an easy decision to choose them as any of their trucks I have ever seen are always gorgeous and very new looking, and the school is like an hour and a half from me. Their headquarters are in Dallas and I'm originally from northeast Texas anyway, so it might be the perfect opportunity to finally get back home for the latter chapters of my life. LOL! All of the reviews I have read on them have been very favorable and I have never been afraid of hard work, so it was just kind of a natural fit. As a matter of fact, (this might sound kind of silly, but) my dream set-up with them would be a Kenworth T680 with a manual transmission!! That big, shiny, black KW with the red and white Stevens insignia and one of their new, shiny 53' reefers is about the most beautiful sight I can think of right now!! Keeps me excited anyway!!

DSTURBD