Hello All! Newbie From New Jersey :)

Good morning everyone! My name is Terry. I became a member about ten months ago reading anything and everything I can when I can. Before I go on about me, please let me first say, thank you to all who contribute to this site!

I was a stay-at-home mom and care giver for my family for over 25 yrs. My husband and I believed firmly someone should be home with the kids. So, I took on that responsibility while he worked hard to build his career as a CPA. The years went by quickly as you can imagine when you work & raise a family.

During those years, my husbands health was on the decline. He fought hard to live. But sadly, he died from complications from diabetes in 2019.

Before he passed though, I was able to get a job with FedEx Ground. And I have been there ever since. I'm just coming up on my 3 year mark with them now, and I know how important it is to keep at it, keep that work history going if I want to secure a good job in this industry. I have also filled the gap by having my family & neighbors writing letters acknowledging that all knew I was a stay- at- home mom/care giver during those years prior to working for FedEx. I'm hoping that will be sufficient for when I'm ready to apply. (I'm just not there yet. And honestly, not sure of my path. Should I continue on with FedEx? Perhaps move onto FedEx Freight? I just don't know.)

I've lost much these past few years. My husband, my dog, my mom, but I keep pressing on knowing that someday my hard work will pay off. And every day brings new challenges. But I manage to find the time to come here, read as much as I can & make good use of all the free materials you have to help me get there, including The High Road online training program. Which is awesome by the way! I look forward to my journey here with you. Be safe & have a wonderful day! Thank you so very much for all that you do!

My condolences on the passing of your husband.

You should be good to land something with your time at FedEx Ground and evidence that you were a stay at home mom and a caregiver.

If you're full-time at ground, I believe your company seniority follows you to FedEx freight, meaning the amount of PTO you get and layoffs (almost unheard of at freight) should they happen.

If you're part-time or working for a contractor you'd be starting from scratch like anyone else. Good luck.

Hello & thank you Banks. I don’t drive for a contractor. I am a PT Operations Admin over there. I recently applied for FT in that same position, which I hope to get. My job entails dealing with getting packages corrected, fixed, whatever so that the drivers can deliver them. So I work closely with everyone to get the job done. I also deal with Hazmats on the daily & have completed all my training and have a completed certificate for it. Freight has a great apprentice program. I’m just not sure yet if that’s the way to go. I have a ways to go yet to get my Class A permit, so I guess I have some time to figure it out.

Freight's apprentice program is great. I went through it about 2 and a half years ago and I learned a lot.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Freight's apprentice program is great. I went through it about 2 and a half years ago and I learned a lot.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

That’s awesome! Even cooler that you’re still there. Was it everything you thought it would be? As I move through this process I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions. Thank you.:)

I'd think FX might be like UPS? My middle bro got in almost 40 years ago. Dad's buddy was #9 at UPS back in 1968 think he did 45 + years.....Bro did 4 yrs unloading waiting for the right package route, commercial, did that 14 years then went thru whatever UPS does internally, has been pulling doubles outta LA Hub prolly 15 years or so.

My buddies bro did the same, my bro got him in UPS when ,my bro was there his first 2 years. So he runs doubles back n forth to Las Vegas outta Ontario airport hub 38 years now.......Both trained in-house

Have hauled lotta FX trailers, at my first trucking job...... Some hubs I liked better grabbing a load out of, than others

I'd stick with where you are IF it gets you where you wanna be driving, especially after 3 years in lol

Sorry for your losses, Terry, and welcome to the TT community! You've got a great attitude and are doing your research, so I'm sure you'll find the right path at the right time.

Hello, Terry; and Welcome!

(Easy on the Italics, hahahaha!!)

Two LADIES huge up in here (Trucking Truth) to look into/and at their droves of info:

1.) Miss Laura (IDMtnGal) ... similar story to YOURS, w/HER husband. It's all in her bio, and posts: IDMtnGal

2.) Rainy, nka: Kearsey. Mod, Trainer, Etc!: Trucking Along w/Kearsey!

Best wishes!

~ Anne ~

Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving

That’s awesome! Even cooler that you’re still there. Was it everything you thought it would be?

I had no idea what it would be because I couldn't find any info on it. That's why I did a diary here. They've made some tweaks to the program. Right now, my building is giving students the option to train in a manual or an auto shifter. I'm sure as the manuals get phased out, it'll just be auto shifters.

The program is solid and I got all the support I needed from everyone involved. It's 1 on 1 training and they're paying 26/hr while you train. Better than dropping 5-7 k on a school where there's a handful of students trying to get in practice.

What is it you're looking to get out of trucking? Fed Ex Freight would be an excellent opportunity if that's what you're looking for. So would nearly every other company out there. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. What I perceive a weakness you may view as a strength of why you choose to work there.

Fed Ex is great if you're wanting to be home daily. Linehaul you'd be running overnight hours for quite some time (likely years). P&D (pickup and delivery) would be more "normal" hours during the day typically. Some people enjoy that but others hate the repetitive nature of doing the same thing every day which is one of the many reasons some drivers choose to stay OTR their entire career.

It's possible once you're doing the job you may realize that what you initially thought was the path you wanted isn't as enjoyable as you hoped. The brightside is there are so many different job/ paths that require a class A license that the opportunities are endless and I believe there's something out there for everyone.