Profile For Belluavir

Uscis.gov is where you want to go for info about US immigration.

I'm sure this isn't a unique issue. Trucking has been on the top of the maybe pile for a long time. It scares me honestly, but at the same time I can't let it go, when I think I have, it pops back up on the top of the pile again.

I live in Springfield IL, the middle of the state, the closest big city is 1 and half hours away. There just isn't much opportunity here, I look and I see part time jobs, jobs that pay less than what I am making now (about 22k a year), jobs that look better but I'm unqualified for, or jobs that have better pay, I'm qualified for, but I would hate (like sales jobs). I'm pretty lonely, no friends, I have a husband but we're not too close, I have no hobbies other than an MMO that I play. I think often that I'm giving up on something by going on the road, but what I think I'm giving up aren't things that I'm actually doing at the moment, things that I want to do but I can't because I'm stuck here.

I look at trucks rolling down the road and I get this covetous feeling and I can almost see myself gliding down the highway in one, watching the sun rise in one place and set in another. I love driving, I don't what it is about it, but even when I was a little kid I would hold up a frisby or something and pretend that I was driving around. I was driving interstate road trips with my family before I got my license, I'd drive for 8 or more hours at a time no problem.

It doesn't make much sense but something that is holding me back is that I don't think I want to drive trucks for the rest of my life. I'd like to become a master electrician and start my own business. Assuming that I'd make more than 22k a year trucking, I figure I'd be able to save up enough money to pay for relocating and the costs of the apprenticeship. I could skip the trucking part, maybe six more months and I could save up the 1500 or so I'd need, but I'd end up stuck here in Springfield for five years after I got hired. That's not an appealing prospect... but besides that the road is calling to me... I sort of feel like trucking is an experience I need to have. I'm not sure why exactly, when you get down to it it's just a job after all and thanks to this site I feel I don't have unrealistic expectations of what it'd be like.

I feel very reluctant to get the ball rolling, I don't have any roadblocks standing in my way now like poor driving record or work history and I can pass a hair test, so what's left are the roadblocks in my mind. When I rationalize my reluctance I find that the rationalizations fall short, the potential benefits seeming to outweigh the costs by a wide margin. But perhaps the feeling of reluctance is what I should be listening to.

Will my lack of certainty set up me to fail? Should I forget about the whole thing and keep trying to find a better regular job?

I'm sorry this is so rambling, had a lot to get off my chest and I really appreciate anyone who takes the time to read it and I would also appreciate whatever thoughts you've got on the matter.

Thanks

On top of all that you've got market fluctuations to worry about. Big carriers have the capital as well as big contracts to ride out the hard times. I've been reading lately that aling with fuel prices dropping, freight prices have also dropped significantly and small companies and O/Os are having a really tough time and some are pulling out or seriously considering it.

That seems like a hell of a lot of stress for retirement. You dont want that truck driving you into an early grave.

Looked at Western Express' site, didnt see anything about sponsored CDL training. Am I missing something?

I saw that one earlier, hilarious and very satisfying. I don't think break checking is a wise thing to do but man this one is sweet.

You could take it somewhere and have the oil and filters changed and tell him to reimburse you.

Idk if thats a done thing but if you could do that, it'd buy you some more time on tthe road...

I appreciate the stories! Thanks for taking the time, it gives me a good picture of the sorts of things I should be doing when I finally get out there.

Belluavir wonders:

Is the advice to not screw up?

No, that's not the point. You will screw up. Some time it will be where you mess up your driving hours. Some time you will crunch into something while backing. Some time you will lose a bill of lading. These, and more, are screw ups.

But, if you are serious about your job, you will take ownership of the situation. You will figure out what happened, what you missed or did wrong.

If you can figure out the mistake and how not to do it again - to become an expert on that situation - you have learned something, and are closer to being a great truck driver.

Understood, thanks for clarifying Errol

Https://www.uscis.gov/ is where you want to start. My husband is from Australia, we went the spousal route for him to immigrate. It's a difficult process and thats probably the easiest way to do it.

You cant just up and move and get a job in another country unless you want to be a drug smuggler.

Is the advice to not screw up?