Should He Go?

After my upgrade, I was naturally OTR. But after 4 months I was switched to shuttle, which is a home-every-day job. Never hurts to ask!

I mentioned this in a different conversation this morning and we really need to emphasize this more. Always look within your own company first for opportunities. These major carriers have tons of dedicated accounts and divisions to choose from and most drivers don't know about most of them. In fact, there probably isn't anyone working at the company that knows all of the driver opportunities available.

Prove yourself for at least a few months and then start asking dispatch and operations about opportunities that match your preferences. You might be surprised to find there are perfect opportunities for you right within your own company.

Maverick has dedicated glass which would be very nice. However they require a 6 month commitment to one division before switching. I'm giving it consideration.

My husband is a very hard worker but just needs the push to know he can do this. He is an amputee so that comes with its own extra hurdles to even obtain a license. He is going with cr england so it's a 9 month commitment, he eventually would like to end up driving for penske. He just needs support because he had a hard enough time getting back into the working field after his amputation but now I'm pushing him to look beyond just a mediocre job and find a real career.

My husband is really interested in going to get his cdl and has been accepted to a company sponsored cdl program. But he's also hesitant to go because he would be leaving behind me and our 5 month old son during the training program since it's located a state away. He doesn't want to miss out on the milestones. I recognize this is a good opportunity for him since we can't afford to send him to a local program and he really needs a career focus. What kind of words of wisdom could I give him to feel more comfortable about going for this training?

Much of the advice you have gotten here says for your husband "to be a man and provide for his family " and yes a man, and father must and should do that. I just wanted to add, that it is very tough being an OTR-Driver and having a family. Especially when your child/children are so little. I speak from experience. I have an 8 and 4 yr old and it has been tough for me and my family. I am missing so many of the milestones my kids are achieving right now, especially at their ages. Your son is young enough, that he won'the remember daddy being gonr. Most company sponsored programs require a year contract, once fulfilled your husband can move on to something better within the company are another company that would have better hometime, either local or regional. That's been my plan, but it has been tough. Especially since I am so close with my kids, I did everthing for them, pack lunches, drive to them school, doctors, dentist appointments and now I am missing out on all that. When I am home, 2-3 days, time flys by so fast, it gets harder to go back out. So I make the best of my hometime when I am at home. But it is hard, but now is probably the best time to do it.

He just needs support because he had a hard enough time getting back into the working field after his amputation but now I'm pushing him to look beyond just a mediocre job and find a real career.

Then keep pushing him and keep encouraging him. That's awesome. Trucking is really hard as it is and he'll have even more difficulties to face. But I'm sure it's totally doable.

I'll tell ya - confidence is a really big deal. People way underestimate how much that affects someone's performance. Don't let him doubt himself. Don't even let him say doubtful things out loud. Just keep him focused on the moment and take it one day at a time. You don't have to face every challenge at once. Just get through today and don't worry about anything else. Deal with things as they come. He'll get there if he keeps at it.

I admit I did not read all of the responses. But being a woman I might have a different take on this. Can YOU handle him being away?

I was engaged to an army infantry SSG and he was gone 16 years of the 22 he was in the army. It takes a special kind of woman to deal with that kind of seperation. The same goes for trucking believe it or not. Sure the truckers come home every month.... but if you are the clingy... crying.. dependent type then it is going to be much more difficult for him to leave than if you are the independent determined capable type.

Also.. he might be looking at the reality of the situatuon... my training took from Sept to Feb before I went solo. I was home only twice during that time. Then I get 4 days per month off after that. So if YOU are saying things like "training is only a few weeks and the you will be home" He might be thinking "yeah right".

If HE wants to do it... and YOU can handle it.. then sit and talk about the pros and cons. If YOU want him to do it but he is iffy.... forget it..... you can't push him into something he does not want. If HE wants to do it and YOU dont... then forget it. In either case you'll be headed for divorce court.

Also keep in mind.. if he is the kind of guy who can't make a decision on his own... where his wife had to push him into things and needs a forum full of people to convince him to chase his dream.... then trucking might not be for him. Trucking is all about decision making with very little guidance from dispatch. You are not micro managed the way some people need to be.

My ex hubby couldn't make a decision to save his life. One of the reasons why he is my ex and I gravitated to an alpha male in the army hahhah.

Not trying g to point fingers or be nasty... just some thoughts for you to ponder.

Whenever I am having difficulties I just think how easy I have it compared to my great grandmother that crossed the country in a covered wagon. Then there were pioneer families that the father was gone for months at a time and sometimes over a year. Is he thinking that he is not as strong as these folks? The "noble" thing to do is to forgo comfort and provide for your family.

Whenever I am having difficulties I just think how easy I have it compared to my great grandmother that crossed the country in a covered wagon. Then there were pioneer families that the father was gone for months at a time and sometimes over a year. Is he thinking that he is not as strong as these folks? The "noble" thing to do is to forgo comfort and provide for your family.

I'm noticing it depends on where you are from. In NORTHEAST everything is so expensive both people work... or don't survive. I'd love to meet a guy who says "honey... it's my job to provide for you" hahha never met one. Or men just really don't like me... lol

I'm noticing it depends on where you are from. In NORTHEAST everything is so expensive both people work... or don't survive. I'd love to meet a guy who says "honey... it's my job to provide for you" hahha never met one. Or men just really don't like me... lol

Haha. I'm not too into the whole "Honey I'll provide for you" thing unless there are kids involved that the wife is staying home to take care of. If men and women are so equal and women have the right to work and vote and so on, I don't see why I should bust my butt extra hard so my wife or girlfriend can enjoy not working and having fun in my absence. Why can't she work too? Then we can enjoy more time together. Lol, just my take on it.

Guess I'm not as "old school" as I thought.