Only you can decide if you made the right decision. If you wait for the "perfect time" you'll never get into this industry. I understand wanting to stay at current job because of pay increase and the turnover problem but why should you put your hopes/dreams on hold because current employer is hard up for help. Maybe I'm just falling into the "me" category many people my age fall into but lifes too short to allow others to prevent you from doing what you dream of. I kept putting off getting my CDL for i believe 5 years and now that i have it im disappointed i waited so long. Again, only you can decide if it's the best move. I look forward to following along with your journey when the time presents itself.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
Operating While Intoxicated
That year will go by quickly. Study this site, it will better p repair you. Go through the High Road CDL Training Program several times. The more debt you can pay off, the better. Also, saving some money always helps. Many of us have jumped into trucking after losing a job. I am now enjoying averaging a gross of $1000.00 per week. Good luck. The roads will wait for you.
On the flip side, go for it now.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
I've always been one to pursue my dreams, but at the same time I'm a long-term thinker and I make deliberate decisions. I don't just jump willy-nilly into anything. However, when I do make a decision I totally flip a switch and dedicate myself to it 100%. If you want to be successful at anything that's difficult and complex you have to commit to it.
I just recently jumped headlong into alpine climbing which is something I had been pondering for a long time. I'm now committed to it 100%. There were two big moments that inspired me to make the leap:
1) A guy asked a question in a motivational video. He asked, "What if you found out today you were going to die in 9 days. What would you think?"
My first thought was, "Man, I should have gotten into climbing when I had the chance!!!!" It really gave me a sick feeling in my stomach that I was going to miss out on that opportunity.
2) I was hiking at a local mountain and found out there was a guy who has been hiking there in preparation for climbing K2, the second largest mountain in the world. Here I was taking a morning hike before going home to eat lunch and hang out with my dog, while this guy is on the same mountain preparing for the conquest of a lifetime! I thought, "What am I doing???? Why isn't that me training for K2???"
That was it. Those two events happened like 3 days apart and it pushed me over the edge. Now I'm 100% committed to climbing and I'm on the path. I didn't want to miss out.
So that's not to say you should or should not get started in trucking. That was just my recent experience and something for you to think about.
One thing I can say for certain is that you're not going to be lying on your death bed someday thinking, "Well, I never went for it and lived my dream life, but at least I was prudent when it came to keeping my debts within reason."
No one has ever said that.
My thoughts are more in-line with Brett’s and Rob’s.
If you need to ask the forum whether your decision is right or wrong is an indication of doubt. Money does not improve or buy happiness. It might be a temporary fix, a band-aid covering up the real issue. If you are unhappy at this job, the 14 months will drag on as if slogging through the spring thaw in the north country.
Here is a thought...if you wait, eventually something else will delay your trucking career. The only person who can change it is you...will you regret staying at you present job? That said, if you really want this, I seriously doubt you’ll regret making the decision to move forward with a trucking career.
Good luck and best wishes no matter what path you ultimately decide.
I'm not necessarily unhappy at my job, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't stay for the money. It's also not a bridge I want to burn. I know they would take me back if I'm unsuccessful at trucking and I see many people in here getting into the industry under dire straits that I had hoped having a solid foundation and something to come back to would alleviate some of the stress while training.
If you can't tell I'm not too impulsive, I'm a planner. :)
Losing my motivation was a big concern of friends and family, but I have my eyes on the prize and as much as my bosses joke they won't be bribing me to stay again.
Thanks for the replies everyone!
Also Brett, please keep us up to date on your climbing experiences. I'm sure I'm not the only one curious!
I had hoped having a solid foundation and something to come back to would alleviate some of the stress while training.
Ralph, we don't sugarcoat this career. There's usually considerable difficulties encountered when trying to get it started. Having something to "come back to" doesn't alleviate the stress, what it typically does is provides a good reason to avoid the Commitment needed to see this through. Having a safety net is usually not the best approach when trying to get a trucking career started. We warn people all the time that during that initial three or four months they are going to consider quitting almost on a daily basis. It can be that trying at first. Those who come into this knowing they don't really need to make it work seldom ever stick with it.
I'm not saying what you're doing won't work, but it sure has a familiarity of sure failure that I've witnessed way too many times. If it were me, and I really wanted this, I'd abandon everything and plunge in like there's no escape route. I know that sounds crazy to ya, but honestly that's the way you need to approach it. I think you seriously need to think about if your serious about it or not.
I guess there is a flip side to this, in that truck driving jobs aren't going anywhere. So, if you aren't really committed at this time, you can always wait until you feel you are.
Operating While Intoxicated
Ralph, we don't sugarcoat this career. There's usually considerable difficulties encountered when trying to get it started. Having something to "come back to" doesn't alleviate the stress, what it typically does is provides a good reason to avoid the Commitment needed to see this through.
Dang, and here I was thinking I was ahead of the game. Also please don't ever begin to sugarcoat, the TRUTH is the best resource on this site.
I certainly have some thinking to do.
Ralph D, if you're still on here... whatever happened?
I'm planning ahead out of necessity for getting my 15 yr old twins through high school so I can't start school for another 3-3.5 yrs but I know that, even that amount of time will fly by! I, personally, don't see anything wrong with taking advantage of the next year of great pay and benefits to build a little savings to fall back on while you go through trucking school. I have the added benefit of starting that savings now... The thought of upwards of 3-4 months of little pay (or poss no pay for the first week or few weeks) is kinda terrifying!
Anyway, I'd love an update if you've got one! =)
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
So my plan had been to go to a company sponsored program this October. Due to turnover and other issues where I work they decided they can't lose me right now and offered me a considerable raise and health insurance so of course I couldn't say no.
I still have a friend moving in with me (the same that was moving in anyway, to watch the house and pets for me when I go training) so I will be making more and have my bills cut in half.
I keep telling myself that an extra year will allow me more time to train and study and also give me a chance to save money for training and pay off some debt before going.
I tell you what though, seems harder and harder to tell myself "only 14 more months".
Not sure what I'm looking for posting this, just tell me it's the right decision? Hahaha
As always, thanks again to all of you for the great resource this site has been!