TRUCKING AT A SECOND GLANCE ????

Nine years ago I got my CLASS A CDL , went to two different company schools and was unsuccessful due to issues I was having in life at the time. For the last eight years I have worked in the Arizona Prison system. I'm done!!! I'm ready to man up and go back to becoming a successful truck driver. I still hold a Class A CDL have a Perfect driving record. I'm thinking of going to work for Roehl Transport. I have clearly thought this through and at 48 I'm going to make this career change and retire as a veteran trucker. This site is the start of my quest to become successful.. Advise, comments, welcome.

Welcome aboard White Boi!

I see you've already started the High Road Training Program. Definitely keep working through that. You won't need to take the tests for the state again for your CDL but you will have to go through training and testing for whatever company you sign on with. And you'll want to know the Logbook and Weight & Balance sections thoroughly for doing your job on the road. So that's the perfect place to get started.

Have you contacted Roehl yet to get the process started? When do you plan on gettin back out there?

I filled out apps for them and a few others. I like the 7out 7 home. My Son comes out here for the summers so I need to figure it all out. I just put all this into action. I have spent all day on this site and other company sites reading and learning everything I can, trying to do it the right way this time.

Hey man, I am just completing my training here at Roehl. If you have any questions, give me a shout. The training goes by so fast, it seems like a blur when you are done. I understand what you mean about leaving the prison system. I was a firefighter / paramedic for almost 25 years. It ttok its toll and I had to get away from it. Some days, I still miss it. On the other hand, I was worried about being able to sleep in a truck with all the noise and stuff going on outside. My first day in the bunk, I slept like a baby. There was drool soaking my goatee when I woke up. I have not slept like that in years. The stress of the old job s starting to melt away. Not sure how to explain it. But each day, I am so much more relaxed and just overall happy.

I filled out apps for them and a few others. I like the 7out 7 home. My Son comes out here for the summers so I need to figure it all out. I just put all this into action. I have spent all day on this site and other company sites reading and learning everything I can, trying to do it the right way this time.

Just remember the 7 on and 7 off is really just a part time job. If everything goes smoothly you will work 6 months and have six months off. That would drive me nuts.

Some numbers to think about. Solo drivers will make 30k to 34k their first year. On the path you wanting to choose you are looking at half that amount. 15k to 17k and remember we are talking gross pay. Now take out taxes and you see where I am going.

Not trying to discourage you but want you to know some of the realities before actually getting into it.

Thanks all for the insight. I didn't realize about the 7on thing but its something to think about I cant live off of 17K a year. I'm not discourage at all. I'm very thankful for what I'm told or advised on. WT how is experience at Roehl? Did the Recruiters come through on what they told you.? You like the program and the training?