NEED HELP DECIDING

I am wanting to get my CDL but have a lot of questions and concerns. I am 39 and a mother of 2 16 year olds and a 19 year that is handicapped and have not worked for over 11 years. I got my business license 4 years ago and I manage my daughters home health.(timesheets, hiring and firing, all the paperwork except for payroll). But dont make any money from it. My husband has agreed to stay at home with the kids since his health wont allow him to do this right now himself. I know I want to go with a company that trains and will give me a job right off the back. So I guess my question and concerns are this. 1. Which company is the best to go with as far as best training but fastest in and out of schooling? 2. Which has the best benefits over all? 3. Would it be possible to take my handicap daughter with me after I go solo? I have wanted to drive a truck since I was 16 and I know I can do the job and I have a lot of support and engorgement but I am nervous about leaving my kids. Any and all help and information is welcomed and appreciated.

Hi Dreamer! Welcome to the forum. The ladies' side here is rather quiet of late. I encourage you to repost in the general forum and I believe you'll get a ton of helpful responses and encouragement. I'm in the "preparing for school" stage so I'll defer to the voices of experience to advise you more specifically. As well, make sure to look thoroughly around this entire site for extremely helpful information.

As an aside, I note you said that you "have not worked for over 11 years". Hmmmm, for several decades I cared for a severely disabled child much as you describe - hiring, training, supervising staff, paperwork and lots more..... during that time I got my degree and went into teaching children with special needs. I used to joke that I got a "job" in order to get a break from "work". Or something like that. With all due respect, your caregiving efforts are valuable and constitute "work" in no lesser way than anyone else who provides a service - the absence of a paycheck is not the litmus.

From what I've read on here, many trucking companies require evidence of a productive life that may include providing care - especially for family members, volunteering, etc. in the place of paid employment. It may come down to requirements that will vary by individual company. I'll be teasing this issue out within a few months, myself, as I left teaching for a break that I've filled with volunteering experiences. But again, if you post in the general forum, I think you could expect further informed wisdom on this issue.

Wishing you the best!

Thank you so much for responding. I know everyone is busy out there on the road. I have taken your advice and posted to the general location. Thanks again many prayers and blessings

Hi Dreamer! Welcome to the forum. The ladies' side here is rather quiet of late. I encourage you to repost in the general forum and I believe you'll get a ton of helpful responses and encouragement. I'm in the "preparing for school" stage so I'll defer to the voices of experience to advise you more specifically. As well, make sure to look thoroughly around this entire site for extremely helpful information.

As an aside, I note you said that you "have not worked for over 11 years". Hmmmm, for several decades I cared for a severely disabled child much as you describe - hiring, training, supervising staff, paperwork and lots more..... during that time I got my degree and went into teaching children with special needs. I used to joke that I got a "job" in order to get a break from "work". Or something like that. With all due respect, your caregiving efforts are valuable and constitute "work" in no lesser way than anyone else who provides a service - the absence of a paycheck is not the litmus.

From what I've read on here, many trucking companies require evidence of a productive life that may include providing care - especially for family members, volunteering, etc. in the place of paid employment. It may come down to requirements that will vary by individual company. I'll be teasing this issue out within a few months, myself, as I left teaching for a break that I've filled with volunteering experiences. But again, if you post in the general forum, I think you could expect further informed wisdom on this issue.

Wishing you the best!

Hi Dreamer, I’m new to this myself. I’ll be going to swift academy for my classes and then 4 weeks out with a mentor once I pass the test. The 4 weeks with the mentor on the road is paid and right after that they send you out with your own truck. They have places around the country. I live in NYC and will goto classes in Indiana. Check out their web site. Also there is another called Roehl Trucking. The reason I went with Swift is because they’re closer to NY. They tell me we can bring a rider with us as long as they are over 12 years of age and don’t have their own CDL. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I am wanting to get my CDL but have a lot of questions and concerns. I am 39 and a mother of 2 16 year olds and a 19 year that is handicapped and have not worked for over 11 years. I got my business license 4 years ago and I manage my daughters home health.(timesheets, hiring and firing, all the paperwork except for payroll). But dont make any money from it. My husband has agreed to stay at home with the kids since his health wont allow him to do this right now himself. I know I want to go with a company that trains and will give me a job right off the back. So I guess my question and concerns are this. 1. Which company is the best to go with as far as best training but fastest in and out of schooling? 2. Which has the best benefits over all? 3. Would it be possible to take my handicap daughter with me after I go solo? I have wanted to drive a truck since I was 16 and I know I can do the job and I have a lot of support and engorgement but I am nervous about leaving my kids. Any and all help and information is welcomed and appreciated.