Tired Of Being A Stepping Stone.....

Hello all. As it shows I am new to this. My husband and I are going to take the plunge together and both get our CDL's and become a team driver set. But to be honest I am scared to death. I am more of a book person, I learn quickly enough not a problem, but worry about things like backing up. I know I will be taught how, but it still worries me. And while on the road I plan on finishing my two master degrees. But it beats the alternative of being homeless (which will most likely happen very soon.)

My husband lost his job last year and has yet to find one that pays enough. Yeah he is working and so am I but it just doesn't cut it. So we are going to sell off everything and take on this new adventure together. I know it won't be easy and it might get to be more of a task than a pleasure, but he and I have worked through many things in the past, and we do enjoy spending time together and I like to see new places.

I guess I am feeling alone and confused about this since it is totally different than what I had planned when I graduated 2 yrs ago with my BS in Accounting. Any words of wisdom, advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

You'll be in good company for sure. You'll meet other drivers who came from the mefical field, like me, as well as accountants, teachers, law enforcement, you name it and we're all out here for various reasons.

I'm a new company driver, fresh out of cdl school. Who cares that I have 2 college degrees lol. You won't necessarily learn everything you need to know in cdl school but what you larequired ll learn from your company training so don't worry. Backing is a challenge for all new drivers because, well there aren't any cones lol and every setup is slightly different. It's getting better, ive been solo now for almost a month now and I'm definitely making fewer mistakes.

Honestly I love it. I must confess that my trainer and I got along very well and as soon as training was up and I tested out, we began dating. The plan is that he will continue to train while I get my solo experience and after I do, we'll either team for our current company if they'll let us (WST doesn't have many teams at all) or go elsewhere. The idea is for me to stay put until i wouldnt be required to go thru company training if we had to go elsewhere, but we both really love the company we drive for.

Forgive the typos.. I really wish there was an edit feature, but Brett has his reasons.

Thanks for the kind words. It isn't an easy decision that is for certain. But it is nice to know that I am not alone in this and I will make mistakes and hopefully learn from them.

You never know who you'll meet during training and once you're on the road. It's a lifestyle. You hear and see that a lot when talking to drivers or researching truck driving.

I started out with nothing in July of last year. I had to borrow money just to eat my first month. I'm now earning better than any other job I've had, but I also am able to save, and dream of things I didn't believe I'd ever have.

That being said, it's a shocking adjustment. The first few months you'll run into situations that you can't imagine. Like stopping at a major chain truck stop to take a shower and do laundry. There's 3 washers and 5 dryers. Awesome! 2 of the washers and 3 of the dryers have out of order signs. The washer that works had a wet load that you patiently wait for over an hour for the owner to claim. As soon as you load and put in your money it promptly quits working.

Good luck finding a regular laundromat where you can park a tractor and trailer, much less actually have the spare time anyway. Gotta keep the wheels turning pot your income blows away.

Banking? Don't make me giggle. Shopping? Wal-Mart anyone? Doctor appointments? Good luck with that.

Sounds like I'm complaining right?

Now...ask me the important question.

Do you like what you do?

No! I LOVE what I do!

You never know who you'll meet during training and once you're on the road. It's a lifestyle. You hear and see that a lot when talking to drivers or researching truck driving.

I started out with nothing in July of last year. I had to borrow money just to eat my first month. I'm now earning better than any other job I've had, but I also am able to save, and dream of things I didn't believe I'd ever have.

That being said, it's a shocking adjustment. The first few months you'll run into situations that you can't imagine. Like stopping at a major chain truck stop to take a shower and do laundry. There's 3 washers and 5 dryers. Awesome! 2 of the washers and 3 of the dryers have out of order signs. The washer that works had a wet load that you patiently wait for over an hour for the owner to claim. As soon as you load and put in your money it promptly quits working.

Good luck finding a regular laundromat where you can park a tractor and trailer, much less actually have the spare time anyway. Gotta keep the wheels turning pot your income blows away.

Banking? Don't make me giggle. Shopping? Wal-Mart anyone? Doctor appointments? Good luck with that.

Sounds like I'm complaining right?

Now...ask me the important question.

Do you like what you do?

No! I LOVE what I do!

I know it is going to be hard and difficult to adjust to. But I am also looking at the benefits since we are going to be living in our truck. No rent, no utilities, no one telling us what to do (other than DM). I have to give up my cats, and I am sad about that, actually it is breaking my heart. But the way I see it, we were going to be homeless in less than a month and I would have had to found a place for them regardless.

Hubs and I are training together, we enjoy spending time together and we are doing this together. I have fears, but I am sure that those will go away in time as I learn what I am doing. I will give my trust to the trainers and to myself, and my partner, but most importantly to God.

I'll through some free info on the laundry problem posed. At almost all major truckstops you can buy gladhand locks. Drop your trailer, do your laundry at a laundromat and hook back up to said trailer. If I can get a Gyro in Chicago for my birthday... you can do laundry at a major laundromat.