Profile For Shane M.

Shane, I just did what you're considering doing. I gave my notice to my now-past employer of 16 years 2 weeks ago. That was the scariest but most freeing thing I have done in a long time. I knew I could do that job, but I stopped wanting to a long time ago. I'm obviously not telling you what to do, but the fact you're giving such strong consideration to this seems to me like you want to change your life. That's what I needed to do, and got myself in the right position to pursue this new career path. Like the experts here say, once you decide to do it, go all-in. There's no going back for me, and I can't let failure at this be an option. As you can and should do, I will continue to let the collective wisdom of TT guide my new career to a successful place. For me personally, having this site as a ready resource eases the sting of jumping into something I know nothing about. Good luck in your decision-making, I hope you find the path you want to follow.

You took the words right out of me! My current job is easy-peasy. I take calls back to back to back regarding credit card accounts, waiving late fees, answering questions about the certain credit cards we offer, and I'm slowly losing my mind to boredom lol I'm not looking for easy; I have that now. I'm looking for SATISFYING. Something I look forward to (nearly) every day. I stopped wanting to do this job a long time ago and retail/customer service just aren't what keeps me going. Thanks to everyone for the great advice and encouragement; it's a huge relief to know I'm not alone in the mixed emotions.

Passed my written exams for my permit yesterday! Forgot to bring all the paperwork with me to actually get the permit, but the testing is over (for now). I've already got a position lined up with Wilson Logistics, pending all the usual requirements of course, and the more I think about putting in my notice at my current employer, the more nervous/anxious/scared I'm getting about jumping headfirst into an industry I know next to nothing about. Retail I can do. Customer service I can do. Road trips I live for. Steering and maintaining control of an 80,000 pound rig with an unstable load, three different types of brakes, in extreme heat and/or extreme cold and unpredictable idiots all around me is a bit unnerving. So I ask this question to all you great people:

What made you ditch your former job title to drive?

Thanks for the tips, guys! I appreciate it. It’s not so much the job itself that’s stressful, it’s the being tied to a desk that’s driving me nuts. The job is great for someone with the right personality, but I’m just not cut out for dealing with people every ten seconds, literally. I work at a call center so I am hanging up with one with barely enough time to mutter “*******” before the next one comes in hot lol being by myself, with either my wife or kid occasionally, on the road seeing this country and driving to make deadlines sounds like a dream to me.

I’m in a bit of a situation here. I’ve recently decided to go for my CDL. However, I have my medical marijuana card. Now before everyone starts freaking out and telling me to find another industry, hear me out. I’m not an idiot. I don’t drive my own personal vehicle while under the influence or operate my numerous power saws because of the risk, much less operating a vehicle I don’t own weighing at least five times what my car does. I’m giving it up, as I’ve used it to decompress from my job in banking. I figure once the stress of being micromanaged and yelled at every day is gone, so will be the need to smoke. Having said that, I cannot last another six months in my current job. I’ll be able to pass the whiz quiz by Tuesday, but the hair follicle is going to be an issue for me, at least it would seem so. Does anyone know of any companies out there offering paid CDL without a hair follicle?

These are amazing! Definitely makes me look forward to getting my CDL and being out on the (mostly) open road getting paid to drive and see the country. I know there will be ups and downs as there are in every industry, but I'm really hoping that after trying pretty much every other industry out there that this is the one that sticks and breathes some sort of life into me lol

What's your favorite and least favorite part of driving big rigs?

Where are you located? How old? Could you pass a DOT physical?

Springfield, MO, 35 years old, passed a DOT physical a little over two years ago so I should be good since nothing major has changed, plus or minus a few pounds

Welcome to TT, Shane'

Heck, you're just the RIGHT age; some of the folks on here have grandkids going on to their teens, haha! This industry actually adores mature drivers; yet they can't just say that, lest be discriminatory. (Or maybe it just 'seems' that way?!?!? LoL...)

Have you dove into this? Best stuff to start:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Sprimo? Wow . . . choice place for truckers to begin their 'next' future, for sure!

Look here: Paid CDL Training Programs

And that's only the tip of the iceberg, haha! Many of these OTR companies, indeed DO have regional lanes. We highly recommend company paid training, for all the apparent reasons; won't be wasting any time, learning 'the company' way, and having a job/truck waiting for you, upon successful completions!

Stick around; great group of folks in here. As Bruce mentioned, it'd help if you would put your locations in profile; thanks!!

See you soon, then ~ welcome !!!

~ Anne & Tom ~

ps; You'll probably have to grabanother DOT physical when obtaining your permit: FMCSA How To's, re: Obtaining CDL.

Thanks for all the great tips! I’ve actually almost finished Brett’s book and it’s been an amazing resource so far. I had a meeting with the branch manager at 160 Driving this morning that went pretty well. I think I’ll end up going to Driver Solutions, though. They have a payment plan that will work better for me, they’re partnered with PAM, and offer job placement as well. I was kinda leery at first, but after getting more info into the industry from the school and Brett’s book, I can’t wait to get behind the wheel and see this beautiful land of ours. On my off days I pick up random jobs assembling furniture and today’s gig has me in Neosho. So many trucks on the road practically begging for drivers lol

Where are you located? How old? Could you pass a DOT physical?

Springfield, MO, 35 years old, passed a DOT physical a little over two years ago so I should be good since nothing major has changed, plus or minus a few pounds

Greetings, all! I've tried everything from retail, customer service, desk jobs, apartment jobs, merchandising; pretty much you name it and I've probably worked in that industry. Nothing fits. I'm seriously considering entering the trucking industry because I love driving, being on the road, and travelling the country. I am married with a teenage son, so I'm looking at possibly doing regional, but I'm not opposed to doing OTR. I'm basically looking for the harsh truth about being a trucker: best companies to work for, average home time, average miles per week, etc.

Thanks in advance!