Old Man Leaves Six-Figure Management Position To Begin Training As A Trucker: Psychiatric Evaluation Pending

For me I haul the same product all the time. I don’t have to worry about figuring out how to secure everything from A-Z.

Also we don’t tarp granite loads.

I average 3-4 days a week of work. For me that is slowing down.

Many carriers do offer part time work. That’s true.

However, in order to qualify you’ll need experience. The extent of the experience depends on the carrier and quite possibly, the individual’s performance with their carrier.

That was the point I intended to make but I didn’t state it very well.

I think it’s common for Community Colleges to have part time, weekend warrior training programs. But it will probably take a certain period of full time driving to transition into part time work. And it would be unlikely that a part timer would be assigned his own truck because companies want their trucks on the road as much as possible. A part time driver would have to travel light because the truck would need to be emptied for the next driver.

Schneider has a “jet setter” job designation where they fly the driver to various locations to drive a truck to a certain destination. Maybe Klutch or another Schneider driver knows more about this program. It might be a part time opportunity.

With all this "part time" jobs, the carrier is going to need a perspective driver to show full time experience in their past job history.

Grandpa Clark, and BK, thanks for your wonderful comments. I am not sure why my "doe snot" always seems to appear in many posts that I write. I was curious and actually found that it is a common error: https://www.amazon.com/doe-snot-Erich-von-Abele-ebook/dp/B00IQ30R10 . From a trucking standpoint, there is likely many a truck that encountered a road kill that left a bit of doe snot on the radiator grille. BK, from the great city of Madison, WI, I say hello!

Grandpa Clark, I a glad that some of my post resonated with you. I have enjoyed and absorbed all of your comments on this post, and appreciate your years of service in law enforcement. Thank you for that service. I have had a professional career for over 35 years, but a few years ago I have trained as a chaplain and focused on First Responder (Police) Chaplaincy as a volunteer avocation. This avocation seemed a good way to both connect with my new hometown, and to try to give back to the First Responders that give so much to our communities.

In terms of the CDL , once my schedule clears a bit, I'll likely start a registered CDL program in the early, Fall. My goal is to have the CDL and possibly authority by 2023 to either augment my semi-retirement as an O/O, or if that doesn't pencil out, as a .65-75 c a mile driver for a reputable local carrier. Going to work within the transportation industry is such a radical shift from how I have spent the last 35 years, but it's that radical shift that I think I am looking for.

Michael, if you want to compare notes about Madison, you can email me : brucekelly780@gmail.com.

We can exchange phone numbers and talk.

Grandpa Clark, and BK, thanks for your wonderful comments. I am not sure why my "doe snot" always seems to appear in many posts that I write. I was curious and actually found that it is a common error: https://www.amazon.com/doe-snot-Erich-von-Abele-ebook/dp/B00IQ30R10 . From a trucking standpoint, there is likely many a truck that encountered a road kill that left a bit of doe snot on the radiator grille. BK, from the great city of Madison, WI, I say hello!

Grandpa Clark, I am glad that some of my post resonated with you. I have enjoyed and absorbed all of your comments on this post, and appreciate your years of service in law enforcement. Thank you for that service. I have had a professional career for over 35 years, but a few years ago I have trained as a chaplain and focused on First Responder (Police) Chaplaincy as a volunteer avocation. This avocation seemed a good way to both connect with my new hometown, and to try to give back to the First Responders that give so much to our communities.

In terms of the CDL , once my schedule clears a bit, I'll likely start a registered CDL program in the early, Fall. My goal is to have the CDL and possibly authority by 2023 to either augment my semi-retirement as an O/O, or if that doesn't pencil out, as a .65-75 c a mile driver for a reputable local carrier. Going to work within the transportation industry is such a radical shift from how I have spent the last 35 years, but it's that radical shift that I think I am looking for.

Howdy, Michael; and welcome to the forum! My driver & I are in the 'mature' club, too! :)

Have you gotten to look at our wonderful 'starter' pack? There's no 'Doe Snot' in this, haha!

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

It would be awesome if you'd put your location in your profile, so as I think of companies that may fit your needs, I can list them appropriately, re: region. Thanks!

~ Anne ~

ps: Once you get some 'wheels/miles' under ya, you could look at Rand Trucking and FAB Express; both do part time out of Wisconsin, with a bit of experience, I believe. It's in their websites, respectively.

If you are going to community college, they may indeed be interested in you, sooner. Nix the O/O dealio for now.... read within these walls, especially Steve & PJ's posts.....

pps: Sorry to 'hijack' on behalf of many of us, Steve! (aka: G'pa Clark!)

Grandpa Clark, and BK, thanks for your wonderful comments. I am not sure why my "doe snot" always seems to appear in many posts that I write. I was curious and actually found that it is a common error: https://www.amazon.com/doe-snot-Erich-von-Abele-ebook/dp/B00IQ30R10 . From a trucking standpoint, there is likely many a truck that encountered a road kill that left a bit of doe snot on the radiator grille. BK, from the great city of Madison, WI, I say hello!

Grandpa Clark, I am glad that some of my post resonated with you. I have enjoyed and absorbed all of your comments on this post, and appreciate your years of service in law enforcement. Thank you for that service. I have had a professional career for over 35 years, but a few years ago I have trained as a chaplain and focused on First Responder (Police) Chaplaincy as a volunteer avocation. This avocation seemed a good way to both connect with my new hometown, and to try to give back to the First Responders that give so much to our communities.

In terms of the CDL , once my schedule clears a bit, I'll likely start a registered CDL program in the early, Fall. My goal is to have the CDL and possibly authority by 2023 to either augment my semi-retirement as an O/O, or if that doesn't pencil out, as a .65-75 c a mile driver for a reputable local carrier. Going to work within the transportation industry is such a radical shift from how I have spent the last 35 years, but it's that radical shift that I think I am looking for.

Howdy, Michael; and welcome to the forum! My driver & I are in the 'mature' club, too! :)

Have you gotten to look at our wonderful 'starter' pack? There's no 'Doe Snot' in this, haha!

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

It would be awesome if you'd put your location in your profile, so as I think of companies that may fit your needs, I can list them appropriately, re: region. Thanks!

~ Anne ~

ps: Once you get some 'wheels/miles' under ya, you could look at Rand Trucking and FAB Express; both do part time out of Wisconsin, with a bit of experience, I believe. It's in their websites, respectively.

If you are going to community college, they may indeed be interested in you, sooner. Nix the O/O dealio for now.... read within these walls, especially Steve & PJ's posts.....

pps: Sorry to 'hijack' on behalf of many of us, Steve! (aka: G'pa Clark!)

No problem at all Anne! I always appreciate your helpful advice.

Grandpa Clark, and BK, thanks for your wonderful comments. I am not sure why my "doe snot" always seems to appear in many posts that I write. I was curious and actually found that it is a common error: https://www.amazon.com/doe-snot-Erich-von-Abele-ebook/dp/B00IQ30R10 . From a trucking standpoint, there is likely many a truck that encountered a road kill that left a bit of doe snot on the radiator grille. BK, from the great city of Madison, WI, I say hello!

Grandpa Clark, I a glad that some of my post resonated with you. I have enjoyed and absorbed all of your comments on this post, and appreciate your years of service in law enforcement. Thank you for that service. I have had a professional career for over 35 years, but a few years ago I have trained as a chaplain and focused on First Responder (Police) Chaplaincy as a volunteer avocation. This avocation seemed a good way to both connect with my new hometown, and to try to give back to the First Responders that give so much to our communities.

In terms of the CDL , once my schedule clears a bit, I'll likely start a registered CDL program in the early, Fall. My goal is to have the CDL and possibly authority by 2023 to either augment my semi-retirement as an O/O, or if that doesn't pencil out, as a .65-75 c a mile driver for a reputable local carrier. Going to work within the transportation industry is such a radical shift from how I have spent the last 35 years, but it's that radical shift that I think I am looking for.

Hi Michael, I also was interested in chaplaincy years ago, right after I left law enforcement. I attended Seminary and obtained my MDIV in 2013. I had a great chaplain when I was a law enforcement officer in Virginia and it sure helped with some of the difficult situations that I always dreaded (sudden death notifications, etc.) Two of my boys are sheriff's deputies here in Virginia. My son Taylor has a quasi-chaplaincy ministry he does in conjunction with his job. His website is www.weaponsofrighteousness.org.

I'm wrapping up my second week of CDL training and am loving every minute of it! Even the pre-trip, if you can believe that. It is such a blessing to be able to start doing something I've wanted to do for so many years. I miss the paycheck right now, but from what I can see, the pay should be decent from the start. I expect there to be a significant learning-curve, once I actually get started on the job, but my goal is to replace my previous corporate salary within the first 2-years. Considering how long it took me to get to that salary in my previous profession (technical training), it's pretty crazy to consider I could equal that within 24-months of starting a brand new career from zero. We'll see how it all works out, but I wanted to encourage you on your chaplaincy plan. Stay in touch and thanks for sharing your insights.

I attended Seminary and obtained my MDIV in 2013. I had a great chaplain when I was a law enforcement officer in Virginia and it sure helped with some of the difficult situations that I always dreaded (sudden death notifications, etc.) Two of my boys are sheriff's deputies here in Virginia. My son Taylor has a quasi-chaplaincy ministry he does in conjunction with his job. His website is www.weaponsofrighteousness.org.

Excellent! Very interesting that you achieved the MDiv...myself, I did more than a few years of grad school when I was younger, and by the time I hit 50, the thought of more academics just did not resonate with me. I have done some grad level education with a Chaplaincy program, but don't plan of being BCC or to achieve the MDiv. I enjoy the academics, and appreciate how chaplaincy brings all of the world religions (and the humanist/secular practices) under one large professional and clinical umbrella.

How all of this interest and avocation relates to trucking might be part of the psych eval you mentioned, Steve For myself, I feel that being behind the wheel as a vocation has an almost meditative side to it. I like the idea of being out on the road, versus being tethered to a phone and a desk where I spent much of my earlier life. I like the idea of some level of social interaction with others, albeit I'm more of an introvert than extrovert, but I enjoy experiencing other people and their life stories. I also like the idea that with trucking, especially in a role with some autonomy, that there is a level of control there, a level of autonomy that is lacking in other aspects of career and life. And, the idea that if I study this business, and set up a model that works for me as a vocation, I can earn reasonable additional income doing something that I will find rewarding, as well.

I am guessing that here are other men and women who might share some of the motivations I've expressed as well, and this is part of why I am grateful to TruckingTruth for this Forum. Thanks as well to Anne A and Tom for the "starter pack!" Very kind of you. I wish all on this Forum a great July 4th weekend.

I just posted this in the CDL Training Diaries...thought some of you might find it interesting here as well.

Week 2 and 3 with Ancora Corporate Training at Central Virginia Community College (Lynchburg, VA) With one week to go until we finish up our course, it's hard to believe how fast it has flown by. There has been drama, truck breakdowns, instructor/student friction, but overall, I'm very pleased with the learning experience. These past two weeks have all been spent on the driving range practicing backing maneuvers and going out on the public roadways to practice in the real world. There have been many complaints from some of the students in our class (we have 9 total), we have had one student drop due to Covid, and I believe there has been a change made at the Director level for this program.

Probably the greatest source of strife between the students and the instructors involves two issues. First, there have been a couple of truck breakdowns (sounds like trucking right?) which has limited our exposure to practice time. With 9 students and only one working truck for several days, we have been waiting for long periods between sessions behind the wheel. This has impacted our class on two different occasions and they finally have brought us a second vehicle from one of the other Community Colleges to replace the one that is broken down. The second source of strife has involved cellphone use on the range and in the classroom. With so much waiting time, it is only natural that the younger students have resorted to using their phones to kill time. That gravitated to inappropriate and offensive videos that were laced with heavy profanity and other inappropriate content that everyone was exposed to. The instructors tried to reign it in and that didn't go very smoothly. These distractions are just that...distractions. While distracted driving is definitely a bad thing, I have to credit our instructors with overcoming many challenges that are beyond their control. I feel like I am learning what I need to know in order to pass the Dept. of Motor Vehicles test and that is what they promised they would teach us to do. After next week, my DMV test will be scheduled and we'll see if I can translate what I have learned into an actual CDL license!

We have had recruiters from TMC and Melton (flatbed) and Englander/Fleetmaster (refrigerated/dry van). The recruiters have been very informative and willingly answered any questions thrown their way. Despite some of our younger students feeling that they deserve far more than $0.50/mile to start, as well as at least 2-weeks paid vacation to start, most of the class has seemed to enjoy the recruiters' presentations. Just a few years ago (about 4-5 years ago if my memory is correct) I was considering signing on with a mega-carrier and going through their training program to get my CDL. At that time, the pay for new graduates was .36 cpm. So, suffice it to say, I've been pretty impressed to see starting pay around $0.50. It seems fair to me for people with no experience who are likely to bend or break a few things as we learn the ropes.

I am thoroughly enjoying my experience thus far and my only regret is that I didn't do this earlier. However, having been mixing with the youngsters in my class for these past three weeks, I now know that my extensive life experiences are going to serve me well in this career. I also have had a lineup of companies give me conditional offers of employment...sight unseen! How amazing is that? As of today, I believe I'm the only person in our class that has any job offer, and I already have 3 (TMC, Melton, and Maverick). I guess you can tell I want to do flatbed to start (while I still can!). I haven't decided yet, but I feel very fortunate to have some options right out of the gate.

When I check in next, I'm praying I'll have a CDL and I hope to have made my decision on where to start my trucking career. Thanks for following along on this journey, and for all the encouraging comments. Sincerely, Steve