Seriously Considering Becoming A Trucker

And another reason.....once you have a CDL you always can get a job.

Zeck...I strongly recommend contacting Company Sponsored Training. I spent probably 400 to 500 dollars going to Wisconsin and Roehl S CDL school of which they gave me back mileage from my house in NY 1000 miles x .35 cpm...so 350.00. I looked at a local CDL school...10 weeks...6500 dollars vs. 3 weeks and 500 dollars....to me it was a no brainer.

And, for those who say you are "slave labor" to the trucking company for a year I say this....I made 50K my first full year of running with Roehl.

Good luck Zeck...I think your barking up the right tree. Go company sponsored and get a career going.

And another reason.....once you have a CDL you always can get a job.

This is so true. Once you get a CDL A license and keep it clean....its a money producer for the rest of your life. I thought about this a lot this week. I'm now driving for Central Transport on a local LTL route. I spend my days driving country roads and viewing the beautiful scenery...and they pay me for it. Don't get me wrong now....we work hard...10 - 12 hour days...some dock work too...but it's a lot better than what I used to do...(deal with winey salesman on the phone)..lol

No one else can tell you what you should or shouldn't do. Likewise, no one else can tell you what you can or can't succeed at. You yourself hold the keys to the answers of those questions. Do what your heart, mind, and gut tell you to do. When you do it, do it with the attitude and work ethic that make it happen. I understand your view regarding your parents, I was there once. I also understand them as I long ago became the parent. It's a growing and learning process for all, and it never stops, you just switch rolls. Irony is not without its own sick sense of humor. I have recently decided to leave my career of 20 years in corrections to hit the road myself. I have already been conditionally accepted at a certain company to get my CDL and drive for them. I have to shake of 26 years of rust since I last drove a commercial vehicle, but as with anything, it'll come with some studying and some max effort. I hope you find that approval or support from others is nice, but not required to succeed. Fortunately for me, my wife and kids are 100% supportive, but that support is a result of years of earning it. Financially, we are going to take a few lumps until I get going, but the duration of those lumps is on me, so i will not be second guessing myself, or worrying about it. I will just adjust, adapt, and move forward. I wish you the best of luck in achieving your goals.

Zeck my parents are like yours abusive and manipulative. always looking out for themselves and never for me. I don't know how you managed to live with them until 25 first chance i got i set the house on fire and walked out. You seem very undecided on what to do i would have never worked for $8 an hour. You gotta look out for you cause no one else will. if you think you deserve this trucking thing then pull head from ass and start on it. I believe you can do it but you don't believe you can do it. damn $8 an hour you don't want to know what i shoved down my throat for a little bit more than that. :)

Tim suggested:

And another reason.....once you have a CDL you always can get a job.

This is so true. Once you get a CDL A license and keep it clean....its a money producer for the rest of your life. I thought about this a lot this week. I'm now driving for Central Transport on a local LTL route. I spend my days driving country roads and viewing the beautiful scenery...and they pay me for it. Don't get me wrong now....we work hard...10 - 12 hour days...some dock work too...but it's a lot better than what I used to do...(deal with winey salesman on the phone)..lol

Click here for the information mentioned in Tim's reply: Paid CDL Training Programs

This too might be useful:

• Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing A Truck Driving School
• Article Category: Choosing A Truck Driving School
• Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Truck Driving School"

Well today I asked my parents and as I suspected the answer was no. They believe I need to find some where that is more suitable for as a job where they feel I wont fail. Thanks for all your help, but I feel this will be the last time I post here.

Well today I asked my parents and as I suspected the answer was no. They believe I need to find some where that is more suitable for as a job where they feel I wont fail. Thanks for all your help, but I feel this will be the last time I post here.

Its not that they just said no, simply they just didn't want to listen to what I wanted, it was only their needs they wanted for m to see. They both agreed if I got a job, then maybe we'll talk about it latter, but that iswhat they said when I fisrt got a job for college.

Zeck...good luck man. I fear that you will be always under someone's control and stuck in low paying jobs for the rest of your life. I also pray that I am wrong.

In the meantime, keep your license clean, don't get into criminal trouble...you can always try trucking a little later in life. It is a great way to make a decent living.

Good luck!

Hello Zeck.

I've struggled with self-esteem and self- confidence issues most of my life. I understand some of what you are feeling.

The best advice I can give you is this:

Find somebody (perhaps even a therapist) who can help you develop your self-esteem and self-confidence. At 25, you shouldn't be having to get your parents' "permission" to pursue a career, especially one that does not require them to pay for it. Check the local mental health clinics and hospitals. Many have free, or low cost, services.

The second piece of advice I can give you can be very hard. It was hard for me but it was also one of the best things that I've ever done. Cut out as many people in your life as you can who are negative or who crush your spirit. Surround yourself with people who are supportive of you.

I'm an only child and have no family where I live. My friends are my family. Guess what? I get to choose my friends! I don't have many, but the ones I do have are rock solid. They are my support group. We don't always agree on everything, but we support one another and lift each other up.

I wish you the best of luck with everything. I hope this does not offend you, but I will also say a prayer for you as well.

Take care, Colin K.