New School Grad With A Couple Of Tickets Looking For Some Advice

So I just completed CDL school last week, and after inquiring at a couple of places Im already feeling mostly discouraged about my venture into trucking.

I got pulled over for speeding last summer during a pretty low point in my life and have since addressed those issues and have even started speaking with a therapist, I was pulled over at almost 20 over the speed limit and then again a few months later for driving in marked lanes. I pulled into a turning lane as it was opening up, but not fully open yet in order to avoid sitting in the huge line of traffic going straight just to make a left turn. Other than that, my driving record is squeaky clean. No tickets for anything. I typically drive AT the posted limit, I don't even go 5 over, and have continued to do so even after being pulled over I honestly just let the situation i was going through get the best of me at the time and i know i ****ed up.

Should I even bother inquiring to anymore positions at this point? Western called me and told me to come on-board but i have absolutely no desire to be on the road at all, especially for 2 weeks at a time.

I already have a good paying job with benefits in the carpenters union but i was honestly looking to get out of the industry just because i'm tired of wondering when, where and how long the next job will be. Are there any jobs out there for me or should i just stick to carpentry and not even bother in trucking.

Other than that, my driving record is squeaky clean.

Those first three words are the kiss of death and negate everything after them.

Western called me and told me to come on-board but i have absolutely no desire to be on the road at all, especially for 2 weeks at a time.

What are you looking for? A few months at Western can be just what the doctor ordered.

should i just stick to carpentry and not even bother in trucking.

My wife is looking for a new job because she's tired of her current employer. With all of the experience she has in her field, she keeps getting emails that say "we've decided to move forward with other candidates".

I'll tell you what I tell her, all you need is one yes. The nos are irrelevant, just keep going until you get a yes.

I’m a little confused. If you don’t want to be on the road at all, does that mean you just want a local, home every night job?

With your tickets and the economy in a downturn (that may get much worse), and the fact that you don’t want to work for a company like Western, don’t quit your carpenter job. If you want to drive truck you can’t be wishy washy about it.

You can certainly find a job (you’ve already gotten one offer and you’ll have no trouble finding at least a few more) but if you’re wanting local only it’s gonna be harder to find for sure, especially depending on where you reside. I think you most likely will find a local job right out of school if that’s what you want but honestly if you do decide to start driving I’d advise you to go with a company that will spend some time training you well and most of those companies are going to be over the road companies. We also generally advise to avoid taking a local job right out of school because you’re much more likely to ruin your trucking career before it gets off the ground. The combination of close quarters maneuvering, traffic, tight backing situations and lots of them, faster paced work, and a more grueling schedule will likely lead to you either hitting something or just plain burning out within the first few months. Not saying that will for sure happen—we have a few members who did successfully do local right off the bat but most are unsuccessful with it and for good reason