Profile For JR M.

I'm curious how you became interested in trucking. I'm not sure it's going to work for you like you're thinking. I'm not being judgemental or critical with the following thoughts. I love this career and have a long history of helping others get started in it. I am immediately concerned when a persons initial focus is on home time. That's a big red flag to me. This career takes a lot of commitment and very few of us take more than four days off during each month.

You've been very open with us concerning your struggles with depression. That's good - it shows you know your limitations. Do you take medication for depression? Oftentimes they can be disqualifies.

Most newcomers to this see "home daily" and think, "Yeah, that's what I want!" They think this is just like most other jobs, but it's really not. Most local drivers work 12 - 14 hour days. They barely have enough time to eat and sleep while home and then they are back at it the next day. Most of them are unloading also. Very few local trucking jobs just involve driving. There's interaction with customers, and lots of physical work.

I just think we need to have more dialogue with you to help you understand what you're getting into. It may save you from getting burned out on something you'll never enjoy. Do you like being rushed? Do you enjoy being physically involved? Are you good at organizing paperwork for complex multiple stops daily? There's a lot to local delivery driving, and most people don't last real long at it.

I have done extensive research on the medications that I am on and whether or not they would need a waiver or would disqualify me altogether, and I am glad to say that they do not. So I am good on that front. I have a part time job as a delivery driver and have spent time in a big rig with someone in the past didn't know them too well (friend of a family member but I thought it would be a cool experience so I tried it and I loved it). I enjoy the part time delivery job I have because I love driving. I am good at keeping the "paperwork" organized and managing my route. Granted it is pizza so my "paperwork" is receipts but when I am taking multiple orders I have to keep them with me and organized so I know which one I am going to first and then keep track of the paid ones and what not. I am good at managing my delivery routes when I have multiple orders. In the past I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and did 12 hour days on my feet in a Skilled Nursing Facility (basically a physical rehab place) so I was helping people transfer in and out of bed and wheelchairs and on and off toilets all day among other things. I am not afraid to work. I like to work and want to (which is why I'm cool with doing flatbed with Roehl). Long days doesn't bother me. But 12 - 14 hour days (then tack on maybe another 2 for commute)....so 14 - 16 hours for work leaves me with 8 - 10 hours at home every night. The jobs I saw, none of them were 7 days a week, so that gives me 2 days a week off (maybe 1 if they need me) and those hours at home every night.

I got married on November 16th so next week will be 5 months for me. I don't want to be away a lot from my wife and she definitely doesn't want that. And since we are looking to start a family, I want to be home as much as I can. If I am away several weeks and only home a couple days and then repeat, it won't be good for me or my relationship.

I appreciate the resposes gentlemen.

You need to look at Roehl. They pay during training, and they have special fleets with very generous hometime options.

Here's a link to get you started Looking Into Roehl.

With Roehl, I was looking and it looks like the only thing they offer out of my area is National Flatbed. I'm ok with that. I was just wondering if you or anyone else happens to know how they do with their home time. It says for their National Flatbed drivers it is 11 - 14 days out, 3 days home. Are they good at sticking to that? I have heard some companies are really good at sticking to it (some even pay extra if they keep you longer) and others regularly get you home later than that. Just wondering how reliable Roehl is.

Hey everyone. I live in Mesa, AZ. I am a 27yr old male and am married and trying to start a family. I was just curious. I looked around a little and was having difficulties trying to find what I was looking for. I am considering trucking. I am thinking about getting my permit (when I can since COVID-19 has things shut down around here right now) so I just started studying. I plan to get hazmat and tanker endorsements and possibly doubles/triples.

My question is, I have a history of depression and so I know that I cannot handle spending 5 weeks on the road alone and then only getting 3 or 4 days off at home and repeating. I know there are companies that offer home time options of 14 on the road and 7 home or something similar. I'm not looking to get rich. I plan to do this for 6 months to a year then get a local gig making about $1,000 - $1,100 per week and being home daily (I've looked and seen that there are jobs available that require as little as 3 months and pay at least that much). I really enjoy driving and I don't want a desk job staring at a computer talking on the phone all day (what I currently do). My depression hasn't been an issue I just know that if I am isolated from those I love for that long and then get to see them for that little amount of time it will get to me.

Any recommendations for companies that will train (and pay while training...bills) for someone that has a CDL Permit and DOT Medical Card already in AZ?