Profile For Jim C.

Thanks for the great reply, Old School. That makes a lot of sense to me and I appreciate your being forthright. I need the truth to make a decision of this magnitude. Reality is, I don't think this is the right fit for me at this stage of my life. Makes sense though. When the truck's not running the company isn't making money. I definitely get it, but I also see I'm not the right guy to make the company profitable.

I've decided to pull out of the job/school with US Xpress. I let the school and recruiter know I was out. Looks like I must choose trucking or my young family and I've chosen to prioritize my family. Thank you for giving me that clarity. Really do appreciate it.

Stay safe.

Jim

Wow, guys, thank you for all the fantastic replies. This is so helpful.

Old School, to answer your question as to why I'm getting into trucking... That's a complicated question. I spent 5 years in law enforcement as a cop and detective. Left there to pursue small business 4 years ago and things went south in my business, sadly. Now my police certification is too dated and I've moved to a different state. The path to being a cop would take me a year or so and that's just too long.

My wife is a stay at home mom and I simply need to make at least $50k or so annually to support our family. I do have a bachelor's degree, but it's in applied social sciences and the job market for that field is not hot. I don't have time to go back to school or to pursue any sort of training that'll take more than a month before I'm earning income. Hope that helps to see where I'm coming from.

I'm a big fan of beginning with the end in mind. From what I'm reading and researching it seems like most trucking jobs demand a ton of hours. I fully understand paying due, but I do ask myself if there is light at the end of the tunnel and if I'd be able to find better work/life balance after a year or two of grinding it out.

For example, if I took a job for the first year or two that either had me OTR or regional, or even local with insane hours, then are there positions out there that actually work 40 hours per week and mostly days? I'm trying to get an idea of what career progression looks like after the dues paying period. One or two years of grinding is doable to me if after that I could land something that offered more balance.

Love to hear what you guys think on this...

Thanks!

Jim

Thank you, Old School. I appreciate your very well thought out reply. I'm married with three young girls, two of which we just adopted last fall. Being gone OTR for a year is something I simply cannot do. If I was single I think I'd really enjoy it, but I'm simply not in a position to do that.

For that reason, I've been studying all the home daily options. I hear what you're saying about what "home daily" really is, and it does appear that not all that glitters is gold!

Another option is I pay the $5k out of pocket (which I can do) and go to my local CDL school in Killeen, TX. It's 4 weeks and is a certified school. That would open some doors, I'm sure, but in my area there are not a lot of home daily choices. But, it would at least put me one notch above the student population.

What are your thoughts on running LTL with XPO? I see they have many jobs available and it would appear that I'd qualify upon graduating from school.

Love to hear your thoughts on that, Old School, as well as general advice. If you were in my shoes and had to have local to start, what would you do? And, as I mentioned before, we are willing to relocate for the right opportunity.

Thanks, sir!

Jim

Hi guys, I'm a first time poster and long time reader. I'm making a career change (I'm 35 and have a family). I'm nearly set to go to US Xpress' sponsored school in St. Louis and then to their dedicated Wal-Mart home daily account in Auburn Indiana.

The recruiter promised it's home daily and 2 days off per week, and that it pays around $65k per year to start. The problem is (and what has me feeling uncomfortable) is when I research reviews of this location is sounds like there is quite a gap between the recruiter's info and what I'm reading.

Some drivers are reporting making WAY less money, being off only one day per week, and having very little family time. The whole point of me considering taking this opportunity is to give me family time (vs going OTR). I'm also looking to move my family from TX to IN for this opportunity, so it's a big deal.

I'd love any feedback you guys have or have heard.

Thanks so much!

Jim