Right Off Into That Deep End

Well folks, pushed the button on the applications for Knight and Swift this morning, and dropped a line into my local private school as well. Been looking at trucking for a couple years now, and those looks have been getting more and more serious over the last 6-8 months now. And I'm ready now to make the leap. Wife has given me the greenlight to (once I'm in a program otherwise) quit my job of 13 years and be technically unemployed for the first time since half my life ago at 17.

So, I've worked in a grocery store since I was 21. I've been in every department you can think of, and I've run multiple departments. And dudes, that grind sucks. I was first exposed to the trucking world by way of having been the overnight/backup receiver for the last 10 years or so. I know the paperwork, how the scheduling works, all of that fun stuff. And I'm a curious man. So I built a rapport with our drivers and have had many opportunities to see that side of logistics. And the chance to see the opportunities that lie within the industry in exchange for hard work.

I'm going into this knowing its going to be a huge adjustment. It isn't going to be easy. Its gonna suck. I've got a wife and small child who I love to see daily. But this isn't a short term job outlook. In my eyes a year or so of being not home every day (I'm hoping to slot into a home weekly regional if/when it becomes possible) is a small price to pay for the opportunity to have a job that even in training will far outstrip my current income potential. I know there are gonna be days I want to leave that truck on the side of the road and walk away from it all, days that are gonna test everything I got. But i also have the outlook of just push on through, be safe, and learn the first time so the second time doesn't drive me up a wall.

And finally, just want to say thanks to you folks for having all this information on here, both in the articles and in the forums. Sites like this help a ton with being able to walk into a situation not completely blind.

See y'all out there!

Welcome to trucking truth Daniel W. It sounds like you have really prepared yourself. Our Welcome Mom, Anne should be along before too long to give you a bunch of links to go through, including the one and done link to send out many applications. I'm not very good at attaching the links and I really need to get rolling...still have 2046 miles to do by Tuesday morning.

Laura

LTL companies are hiring new drivers and training from within. I would go that route since you have a small child

Well folks, pushed the button on the applications for Knight and Swift this morning, and dropped a line into my local private school as well. Been looking at trucking for a couple years now, and those looks have been getting more and more serious over the last 6-8 months now. And I'm ready now to make the leap. Wife has given me the greenlight to (once I'm in a program otherwise) quit my job of 13 years and be technically unemployed for the first time since half my life ago at 17.

So, I've worked in a grocery store since I was 21. I've been in every department you can think of, and I've run multiple departments. And dudes, that grind sucks. I was first exposed to the trucking world by way of having been the overnight/backup receiver for the last 10 years or so. I know the paperwork, how the scheduling works, all of that fun stuff. And I'm a curious man. So I built a rapport with our drivers and have had many opportunities to see that side of logistics. And the chance to see the opportunities that lie within the industry in exchange for hard work.

I'm going into this knowing its going to be a huge adjustment. It isn't going to be easy. Its gonna suck. I've got a wife and small child who I love to see daily. But this isn't a short term job outlook. In my eyes a year or so of being not home every day (I'm hoping to slot into a home weekly regional if/when it becomes possible) is a small price to pay for the opportunity to have a job that even in training will far outstrip my current income potential. I know there are gonna be days I want to leave that truck on the side of the road and walk away from it all, days that are gonna test everything I got. But i also have the outlook of just push on through, be safe, and learn the first time so the second time doesn't drive me up a wall.

And finally, just want to say thanks to you folks for having all this information on here, both in the articles and in the forums. Sites like this help a ton with being able to walk into a situation not completely blind.

See y'all out there!

Hi, Daniel W; and welcome to Trucking Truth!! Nice introduction, seems like you have a great perspective on trucking.

(Thanks for the plug, Laura! LoL!) Daniel B. has a great point. You should read some of Banks' Fedex threads:

FXF Driver Apprentice / Banks' Diary.

Here's more, our 'Starter Pack:'

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

And if you're not 'limited' to those two OTR companies you mentioned; I'd recommend this: Apply For Paid CDL Training.

Brett's book, and the High Road Training Program, linked above, are must reads.

When you are ready, Daniel B's Pretrip is the BEST!

• Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide
• Daniel's Pre-Trip Inspection
• Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
• Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions

I hope you stop back in here often, and ask away if you have questions!

Best wishes;

~ Anne ~