First off, welcome to the forum!
Now, I'm just a newbie, but I'm thinking, "If you gotta ask... Then you probably already know the answer."
Stay tuned for what will be more sage advice from some of the trucker elders around here.
I recently started a new job with the state ( the state of south carolina) i have state benefits and state retirement. Its a hard job to get... you have to know somebody. Im in the utility field now, digging ditches, and manual labor. Its OK.... but my previous exp. Is driving, hauling equipment up down the interstates from ohio down to florida and everywhere in between. Its what ive done since 07. I love driving, its what ive been doing. I do not currently have a cdl. But i was wondering if i should follow my heart or stick with a local manual labor job with a state retirement. I do have a 3 year old and a 9 year old.
Are you a single parent of your kids or are you married? Also if you do decide truckin is the way to go, do you have someone with you that you trust with your life and your kids lives that can take care of your kids while OTR? If you are single or the only caretaker of your kids, then I recommend against it. If you are married and your wife and kids will support your decision then go for it, however bein away from family is a very hard thing out here and it can derail a truckin career quicker than it can get started. Make sure your family will understand that. I am not a family man, I am a lone wolf. So truckin is right for me. Anyone who has a family in this industry, I have no idea how they can do it. They have my utmost respect.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
How old are you. How good is the state job? Will you be doing hard manual labor for the rest of your life? Could you build a better retirement nest egg on your own? Why did you stop driving and let your CDL lapse? Are you willing to miss your kids growing up? Why did you stop driving? What part of SC are you living? We need more info.
Maybe you should contact all of the local driving jobs and see if any of them will hire you. Good luck.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Operating While Intoxicated
Its OK.... but my previous exp. Is driving, hauling equipment up down the interstates from ohio down to florida and everywhere in between. Its what ive done since 07. I love driving, its what ive been doing. I do not currently have a cdl.
A bit confused here..."it's" (truck driving) what you've been doing since "07, yet you let your CDL lapse. You loved it, yet you stopped. "Conflicted" best describes your post. If the reason for stopping still exists (even a little bit), that might be the best place to start in helping you make this decision.
That said, no one here can give you the answer you are looking for. I definitely agree with Big Scott's point about your children; their lives will be adversly effected if you go back on the road. The value and importance of your family relationships and your ability to balance that with a Truckers life is the key to making the right decision.
Good luck.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
I'll give you my advice which is coming from roughly the same angle you're at right now... not-a-trucker who wants to become one.
I've been trying for 20+ years to get one of those state or federal jobs with awesome benefits and retirement. At least I was up until a year or so ago. Also like you, the desire to become a truck driver has been with me for a few years. However, I too have a family to care for and need a steady income which is why I'm in DoD contracting (tongue in cheek about the steady as I have been laid off a few times). Here's what I decided to do...
I'm going to keep working my DoD job earning a great salary and decent retirement package up until the contract cycle fluctuates again and a number of us find ourselves laid off again (nature of the beast). At that time... be it a few months from now or a few years from now... I'll pursue my dream of becoming a trucker. This would be my recommendation for you. You've landed this job which you, yourself, admit is hard to get. You also mentioned young ones at home (mine aren't so young 16, 19, 22); you'll want to be there for them as G-Town alluded to. Work this job, build up a savings and maybe a little retirement, be there for your kids... I used to always say "they're only this age once." If things go south with the job, then pursue trucking. My two coppers.
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I recently started a new job with the state ( the state of south carolina) i have state benefits and state retirement. Its a hard job to get... you have to know somebody. Im in the utility field now, digging ditches, and manual labor. Its OK.... but my previous exp. Is driving, hauling equipment up down the interstates from ohio down to florida and everywhere in between. Its what ive done since 07. I love driving, its what ive been doing. I do not currently have a cdl. But i was wondering if i should follow my heart or stick with a local manual labor job with a state retirement. I do have a 3 year old and a 9 year old.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).