Midlife Crisis And Start Of New Career

Hello, I've been lurking on the site soaking up a lot of information over the last couple of months. I've read the blogs of Rainy D and Daniel B, Truckermike and a few others. I really like the feedback and guidance from Old School, Brett and Errol. Trucking and the Open Road has always been a love of mine and now I think a necessity. So I thought I'd join up and start studying the High Road Training Program while I search for the best starter company and position for me in this new endeavor.

I recently moved my family from San Francisco to Upstate New York to raise and school our daughters (3~5) in the country. But soon found the wife and momster-in-law had other plans and took the kids to her mother's then filed for divorce. So I am going from a stay at home dad to super trucker in a matter of months. I say that lightly but as I'm reading if you use your clock wisely you can keep the miles rolling. And I tell my kids that so they can be excited and not sad that Daddy's away for awhile at a time now. And I basically just want to work work work to save and stack money and experience for 2-3 years to have enough to put down on a house for the girls and get a local regional job.

I am thinking about doing cdl training with Prime, going with the featherweight tractor and North Eastern regional runs for extra pay and maybe taking no home time but doing 34 hour resets with my girls near Albany, NY Springfield, Mass or Hartford, CT as needed. My girls live within 90 min of those cities. That should be pretty doable from a company perspective, no? I was thinking dry van/reefer for this scenario but maybe I could do it as a flat-bedder too.

While I've never considered becoming a trucker I think I may be a natural for it. I love the open road, I love trucks and I just love working and being productive. Plus I think I am more of a Journey Man. Destinations are boring after awhile...;} I am an introvert so the solo time I would relish, especially since I still got my VZ UDP so I can stay connected online. And I like being my own boss, king of my castle so to speak but definitely no lease for me! I'm a company man. Got enough troubles already...;}

I've also looked into Jim Palmer trucking and Wil-Trans as I like the bigger newer trucks with fridges, not sure if the rookies get those though but... and maybe more miles through the western states? not sure Looks like they both have the same student pay and training structure as Prime which I really like. I think proper training is key and the one on one structure I would excel at.

I think my biggest worry is staying on top of child support during training and the first year. I have read of a guy getting sent home during training because he was in arrears by a small amount. I am not in arrears and don't plan to be but how do companies handle this issue?

Thanks to all for your blogs and vlogs here and on youtube. They've definitely given me hope and direction for the next chapter in my life...

~Clear Skies

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Regional:

Regional Route

Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.

Dry Van:

A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.

Reefer:

A refrigerated trailer.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.

Honestly just starting out IMO do a national thing. There is a reason most drivers HATE driving in the north east. Also if you want to really pack away the money i would suggest against the tiny truck, get with a company that has condos. Doing that you can get rid of everything else and litteraly live in the truck reducing bills.

I know that hard with seeing your kids but its just an idea. Also do not limit yourself to one company look at other options and where they can lead to. I learned how to drive in the Northeast, IMO its a great place to learn as the drivers are dumb as bricks and most the local roads are tiny so you learn how to actually drive and back the truck in poor conditions. However i say do a national thing as you then are opened to more options later.

Honestly i wish i was in a position i did not have to pay for a house, the amount of money i would have to blow on my car projects would be HUGE :D

Like i said its just an idea, and i hope you enjoy trucking :D

Haha yeah but if I get the house then I'll have a place for the Hemi Dart and a awesome ride for the girls when they turn sweet 16! Thanks for the good advice. Love the big condo's. I'm 6'6" and 180# soaking wet but as long as I don't get scalped I'll be fine. Looking at Roehl too, similar pay package as Prime but longer class training. I do like Prime's fastrak though. One week to pass all tests, get in a truck and go. Think I'd like to do all 48, take the training wheels off and settle into the wolf's den. Gonna be here for awhile so I might as well get use to it...;}