Wanting To Get Into The Truck Driving Job

Hello everyone! For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to become a professional truck driver. I am now a 56 year old retired professional fire fighter. I retired from the fire service when I was 49 years old after 27 years and I took a job representing professional fire fighters in the State of Texas. This job has me driving around the State of Texas but also sitting behind a desk. I know that driving a fire engine or ladder truck is not the same as driving an 18 wheeler but I believe it is time for a change. I have nothing holding be back but myself. Right now I am in the process of obtaining my Class A CDL and have found a school to attend.

Any thoughts or ideas? Any good or bad criticism I can take.

You'll get no bad criticism here. Welcome to the forum and thank you for putting your life on the line every day for the safety of others. Driving a fire truck may not be exactly the same but I'm sure you have learned some exceptional skills that are very much in line with trucking. Your situational awareness and driving skills in general are better than most just due to having to maneuver those vehicles through traffic and tight situations all while having to do it in an emergency response situation. Age wise, you're right in that core group of the majority of new operators getting into the trucking world. I'm sure you'll fit right in and do great.

Welcome! I head off to Orientation then training tomorrow. I finished up school week before last. It's not easy. But study here and get your permit before you start school-that way you'll be way ahead of the game and can focus more on what they are teaching you instead of the regulations. :)

Congrats!!!! I love trucking its the best job I have ever had. It is a different kind of life style.

Thank's for the input. I have found a school in the Austin, TX area that Schneider lists as a recommended school. I can pay cash for the school then if I get accepted at Schneider, I have over a month of vacation that I can use at the job I currently hold now to go to their orientation school for the 3 weeks. I thinking ahead.

Any ideas?

I talked to a Schneider recruiter today and discussed with them that I would like to become an OTR driver for their company. I discussed with him that I found a Schneider approved driving school in Austin, TX where I live and that I can pay for the school myself. He informed me that when I get ready to attend let Schneider know and we can coincide together and get the preliminary paperwork done. He also informed me that Schneider will reimburse me for the school once I am hired by them.

He told me that their orientation school is in Dallas and consists of 17 days. As I posted earlier, I can burn any excess vacation time with my current employer while in Schneider's class. I will not have to sign up for any health insurance because I have that being a retired professional fire fighter. I have a pension from the fire department so most of the money that I make I can put back into their 401(K).

I can work hard and see the country. Any comments?

Sounds like you will be getting paid to tour the country, enjoy it!

Thanks!

Right now I'm taking the High Road Online CD Training Program to sharpen my skills. I have found that this program on this website is very informative and very valuable and will assist me in my CDL school and throughout my driving career. I'm glad I found this website.

Thank you Bret Aquila and everyone on this sight!