Greetings, I'm New

I hail from the mighty Amish town of Goshen, IN. On Monday, I go to CDL school in Fort Wayne, IN. I'm very nervous. About 7 years ago I did the Schneider National company sponsored training and was doing well until I accidentally put the rig into 2nd gear instead of reverse and the instructor fell on his bottom... he didn't get hurt, thank goodness.... I left... I was really embarrassed... I was also immature at 19 years old... Anyway, I'm more grown and ready to try this again. I'm going to try the Pam route since I can't really afford a loan or cash option. My wife is extremely supportive and if she wasn't pregnant right now she would want to do it too (that's what she said). I researched this for a few months since I grew up in Fort Wayne I think when the instructors tell me to go down a certain street or what not in the area I shouldn't have too many surprises (I'm still expecting surprises, though)! My ultimate goal is to go Regional/Local. When my kids grow up some I want to take them out with me if I can and my wife.

Hey welcome aboard Eric. Glad to have ya!

So have you been around TruckingTruth at all to see things like our Truck Driver's Career Guide, My Book (free online edition), or our High Road Training Program?

Have you been studying for the permit or do you have it already?

Sounds like you're really looking forward to it. But make sure you two will survive this. Your wife is pregnant, you will miss your child's toddler years completely. Your wife will also be completely alone taking care of the child, doing household chores, bills, etc. she'll have to do everything. Make sure she can handle this sudden change of lifestyle. And make sure you'll be able to survive not seeing your newborn and your wife for weeks at a time.

Trucking is really tough on a marriage, and even tougher when you have children in the picture. Just reminding you to cover your bases and really make sure that this is what you want.

I wish you luck sir! And congratulations!

Hey welcome aboard Eric. Glad to have ya!

So have you been around TruckingTruth at all to see things like our Truck Driver's Career Guide, My Book (free online edition), or our High Road Training Program?

Have you been studying for the permit or do you have it already?

I have been studying the CDL book. I did Pam's eGears. I'm about ready to try those two items you have suggested!

Sounds like you're really looking forward to it. But make sure you two will survive this. Your wife is pregnant, you will miss your child's toddler years completely. Your wife will also be completely alone taking care of the child, doing household chores, bills, etc. she'll have to do everything. Make sure she can handle this sudden change of lifestyle. And make sure you'll be able to survive not seeing your newborn and your wife for weeks at a time.

Trucking is really tough on a marriage, and even tougher when you have children in the picture. Just reminding you to cover your bases and really make sure that this is what you want.

I wish you luck sir! And congratulations!

I can't say that I'm completely emotionless on the decision but definitely was getting burned out with working at the jail.

You say you are "emotionless" on your decision.... are you really sure about that??? I am starting school in August and I have Zero family or kids. You will be away from the house for months at a time. When you're 2,000 miles from the house and your wife goes into labor then what? Your income for the first year is going to suuuuuuuckkkkka.. I'm not trying to bring you down however, plan on months away from the house. when you leave for school and then pass (One month (ish)) then get on the road training (three months (ish)) ya just can't run to the house when you're "under load"....

I really hope hope you have the fortitude for this... It's a lifestyle not a job. I truly wish you all the best and may the always wind be at your back.

Yes people.... the "always wind"

I can't say that I'm completely emotionless on the decision but definitely was getting burned out with working at the jail.

Eric,

My best friend just retired from 30 years as a sheriff's deputy (Washoe County, Reno, NV) and I have to say I think you made the right choice to change jobs at this point in your life. My friend was never on patrol as he was a jailer & bailiff only those 30 years. I don't know if you were on patrol but I think the danger for a young father/husband is significant (Las Vegas recently - that comes to mind). However, the biggest effect I saw on my friend was the daily exposure of the class of people he had to deal with. This guy is a Viet Nam vet and a fearless warrior in terms of his make up but I witnessed him break down and cry over stresses he never dealt with on his job. I think the trucking career you have substituted for the life of a jailer is a definite improvement for you AND your family. Being home but having to deal with the stresses of law enforcement may be just as potentially harmful to a marriage and family as the separation of truck driving. There are lots of people here who can give you sound advice on how to deal with the new types of stress your family life will undergo (I'm not one as I am a 62 year old single person who's family is grown) so make use of the ability to dialogue with others in your same situation. Like Daniel said:

Trucking is really tough on a marriage, and even tougher when you have children in the picture. Just reminding you to cover your bases and really make sure that this is what you want.

. . . so don't go into this blindly but get all the info you can so you are not taken by surprise. I am sure you will do so (as should your wife) and will be very successful if you do. Again, I congratulate you on getting on with your life when you realized your previous occupation was not what you wanted for yourself or your family.

Jopa

You say you are "emotionless" on your decision.... are you really sure about that??? I am starting school in August and I have Zero family or kids. You will be away from the house for months at a time. When you're 2,000 miles from the house and your wife goes into labor then what? Your income for the first year is going to suuuuuuuckkkkka.. I'm not trying to bring you down however, plan on months away from the house. when you leave for school and then pass (One month (ish)) then get on the road training (three months (ish)) ya just can't run to the house when you're "under load"....

I really hope hope you have the fortitude for this... It's a lifestyle not a job. I truly wish you all the best and may the always wind be at your back.

Re-read what I posted... I'm not emotionless... "I can't say I'm emotionless."

I can't say that I'm completely emotionless on the decision but definitely was getting burned out with working at the jail.

Eric,

My best friend just retired from 30 years as a sheriff's deputy (Washoe County, Reno, NV) and I have to say I think you made the right choice to change jobs at this point in your life. My friend was never on patrol as he was a jailer & bailiff only those 30 years. I don't know if you were on patrol but I think the danger for a young father/husband is significant (Las Vegas recently - that comes to mind). However, the biggest effect I saw on my friend was the daily exposure of the class of people he had to deal with. This guy is a Viet Nam vet and a fearless warrior in terms of his make up but I witnessed him break down and cry over stresses he never dealt with on his job. I think the trucking career you have substituted for the life of a jailer is a definite improvement for you AND your family. Being home but having to deal with the stresses of law enforcement may be just as potentially harmful to a marriage and family as the separation of truck driving. There are lots of people here who can give you sound advice on how to deal with the new types of stress your family life will undergo (I'm not one as I am a 62 year old single person who's family is grown) so make use of the ability to dialogue with others in your same situation. Like Daniel said:

Trucking is really tough on a marriage, and even tougher when you have children in the picture. Just reminding you to cover your bases and really make sure that this is what you want.

. . . so don't go into this blindly but get all the info you can so you are not taken by surprise. I am sure you will do so (as should your wife) and will be very successful if you do. Again, I congratulate you on getting on with your life when you realized your previous occupation was not what you wanted for yourself or your family.

Jopa

Thank you sir. I've seen some crazy stuff in the jail... Human kind at it's absolute worst. It has rubbed off in my personality, emotions, and everything. I've been threatened, cursed at, intimidated, assaulted, etc. Anyway, I'm excited about this opportunity... Also OTR is not my long term goal of things and I hope to get a local job some day. My wife is 100% behind me as we have all researched the lifestyle... She knows that the sacrifices to get the experience will be worth it... We have a strong Christian community here which can help.

Eric