First Post And Loving This Forum! Feedback Needed

Welcome and thank you for serving our children. That is not an easy task by any means and even harder these days. Years ago I served as a school board trustee for 8 years as well as being a cop in Ca. I’m sure glad I retired when I did.

You live in a great freight hub so finding a job isn’t your challenge. Finding one meeting your needs will be. If you go to most all big mega companies you will have issues with being home as much as you need, my opinion. They may have something more local in that big a market but those are alot of city driving/backing which will make your start rough.

I would try and stick out your current situation till your daughter is out of high school. Will make your start easier and less stressful on you both. If you can retire from the school district even better. Trucking isn’t going anywhere and 2 more years won’t be an issue on this industry side of things. Small time frame in the grand scheme of things.

Most smaller companies insurance requirements will be 2 years experience. Insurance companies dictate who a company can and can’t hire.

We all wish you the best whichever route you decide on.

PJ wrote:

I would try and stick out your current situation till your daughter is out of high school. Will make your start easier and less stressful on you both. If you can retire from the school district even better. Trucking isn’t going anywhere and 2 more years won’t be an issue on this industry side of things. Small time frame in the grand scheme of things.

I totally agree with the above and similar replies. Me personally, I waited until the nest was empty both physically and financially (college tuition assistance). Even so… trucking school (Swift Academy) and training challenged me to the core, as it does most people. Nothing we can suggest will adequately prepare you for it.

In all sincerity (opinion based on fact and experience), if you want a fighting chance for success, your slate needs to be cleaner. Your daughter will have needs that only a Mother can meet. You’ll be hard pressed to be there for her on a consistent basis as you deal with the very steep learning curve associated with this job.

Best of luck.

PJ wrote:

I would try and stick out your current situation till your daughter is out of high school. Will make your start easier and less stressful on you both. If you can retire from the school district even better. Trucking isn’t going anywhere and 2 more years won’t be an issue on this industry side of things. Small time frame in the grand scheme of things.

I totally agree with the above and similar replies. Me personally, I waited until the nest was empty both physically and financially (college tuition assistance). Even so… trucking school (Swift Academy) and training challenged me to the core, as it does most people. Nothing we can suggest will adequately prepare you for it.

In all sincerity (opinion based on fact and experience), if you want a fighting chance for success, your slate needs to be cleaner. Your daughter will have needs that only a Mother can meet. You’ll be hard pressed to be there for her on a consistent basis as you deal with the very steep learning curve associated with this job.

Best of luck.

Just to add something to what G-Town and the others have said. Recently there was a single mother here on the site who had kiddos at home and she struggled mightily to get started. I think she started out with one screen name and changed it to Trucking Mama. (Anne, help me out here with the correct names). Starlighter would find her saga interesting and eye-opening.

What happened to Trucking Mama? Abducted by aliens?

PJ wrote:

I would try and stick out your current situation till your daughter is out of high school. Will make your start easier and less stressful on you both. If you can retire from the school district even better. Trucking isn’t going anywhere and 2 more years won’t be an issue on this industry side of things. Small time frame in the grand scheme of things.

I totally agree with the above and similar replies. Me personally, I waited until the nest was empty both physically and financially (college tuition assistance). Even so… trucking school (Swift Academy) and training challenged me to the core, as it does most people. Nothing we can suggest will adequately prepare you for it.

In all sincerity (opinion based on fact and experience), if you want a fighting chance for success, your slate needs to be cleaner. Your daughter will have needs that only a Mother can meet. You’ll be hard pressed to be there for her on a consistent basis as you deal with the very steep learning curve associated with this job.

Best of luck.

Just to add something to what G-Town and the others have said. Recently there was a single mother here on the site who had kiddos at home and she struggled mightily to get started. I think she started out with one screen name and changed it to Trucking Mama. (Anne, help me out here with the correct names). Starlighter would find her saga interesting and eye-opening.

What happened to Trucking Mama? Abducted by aliens?

BK, that would be Shantiwa!

Changed her name to Trucking Mama. She trained with Paul (Pianoman) with System Transport, for awhile. Not sure what became of her; Pianoman would be the one to say.

I'm thinking it didn't work out and/or she didn't stay.

Will see if I can get him to chime in; Big Scott may know, also.

Best to y'all !

~ Anne ~

ps: I agree w/ the others; my youngest is still home, as well..and so am I, obviously!

Yep it's hard when you have kids at home. I raised my 2 alone,from diapers to teenagers, and worked nights. Was perfect for me then, took them to n from school before going to work. Mom watched em while I worked, which I paid her $100 a week for, gotta pay someone, might as well been mom or sis lol......Plus I had time to do other things Dr's appt's, parent- teacher conference time. Could not imagine trying to be a truck driver back then at all. So on that note, I'd have to agree on the consensus too....

Very good luck Starlighter, whatever you choose to do. And thanks for your many years in the school system. I still fondly remember my 2nd/3rd grade teacher, Miss Hendrix lol I had the hots for her, even that young hahaha May she RIP....

Just a thought!!! There is a nation wide shortage of school bus drivers. You could get your CDL B license, drive a school bus until she heads off to college, then train and upgrade to an A.

I was trained by and work for a local LTL company, ABF Freight. I am home everyday and weekends, but am on the 4pm-4am shift. Not able to get on a day shift until I get some seniority which could take a few years.

Wish you the best of luck whatever you decide!

Just a thought!!! There is a nation wide shortage of school bus drivers. You could get your CDL B license, drive a school bus until she heads off to college, then train and upgrade to an A.

I was trained by and work for a local LTL company, ABF Freight. I am home everyday and weekends, but am on the 4pm-4am shift. Not able to get on a day shift until I get some seniority which could take a few years.

Wish you the best of luck whatever you decide!

Actually, great idea, Dave!

Ohio is paying between $5K and $7K 'sign on' for new drivers, for the upcoming year; I've heard many states are doing the same. It's one way to get your feet wet. Endorsements will be a bit different, but still.

Delco, do you remember the school bus driver that went with OD, with Bobcat's help (sorda?) I can see the avatar (busses!) but sure canNOT remember the name, dangit!

If anyone recalls, link that thread, please!

Thanks, Dave!~

~ Anne ~

Sorry, forgot to add. As PJ said, local work requires a lot of backing. I reverse 15-25 trailers everyday. Mix of 53’s and pups. Most moves are at my terminal which is pretty tight quarters. Rest are at customers and our main terminal.

Sorry, forgot to add. As PJ said, local work requires a lot of backing. I reverse 15-25 trailers everyday. Mix of 53’s and pups. Most moves are at my terminal which is pretty tight quarters. Rest are at customers and our main terminal.

I am actually keeping a total of the number of "backs" I do this year! I will have a six month total put together this coming Monday. Just another set of numbers for me to tabulate. As if I didn't have enough?!?!? MPG, loads, miles, average weight, etc......

Interesting Packrat! Can’t wait to see your tally. I’m at around 450 on the low end since April 18th based on a 10-12 per day average. Actual number is definitely higher. Our yard jockey has been down for awhile and may not be coming back so a lot of my moves have been with a manual tractor