Older Potential Driver And Trying To Overcome One Obstacle That Would Prevent Me From Moving Forward.

I've been a critical care paramedic for a long time and I need to change. Going OTR for the long haul has been something I've wanted to do for a long, long time and something I'd be very good at; as it is I'm used to driving long distances and I love to drive. I am mechanically minded and diligent in my pursuit of safety.

My small problem weighs about 10 lbs though; my dog. She's a rescued Chihuahua that is completely bonded with me and I cannot see boarding her for extreme amounts of time during training. I can shorten the time by attending a local CDL course that would let me be home every day (she stays 14 hours a day alone while I work) but boarding her for weeks on end while I go through the trainer portion would be very hard on her.

I honestly believe I will be able to prove my competency quickly with a trainer and I'm wondering if any of you know of a company that might be willing to work with me to overcome this obstacle so that I can move forward?

I appreciate any help you can provide.

Gil

Generally, I'd recommend company sponsored training because you're going to have to undergo training regardless of the company.

To each his own, I don't tell people what's best for them or tell them how to spend their money. I offer advice and guidance.

It doesn't matter if you can display competence. Company's have a set amount of time or miles set for training. It can be extended, but it's never shortened.

I don't think any company is going to be willing to work around your dog. Boarding or a sitter may be your only option.

I agree with Banks. But, if you're really dead-set on doing this, I'd question a few things;

1.

I need to change

Why?

2.

I've wanted to do for a long, long time and something I'd be very good at

While you may be very good, driving whatever you currently drive, can you be 100% certain those skills will translate to handling a combination vehicle? BTW; I never drove a combination vehicle before entering this field and I have no reason to believe you wouldn't be very good. But, there's a lot about this business I didn't realize until I was in it.

3.

I am mechanically minded

Are you thinking this is necessary as a Driver?

Pursue this job field if you want. I'm not trying to discourage you. I hope you'll seriously consider your primary motivation. The title of your post isn't specific enough...or too specific. This industry doesn't discriminate on age, for the most part. But, if you're a 78 year-old man, with this rescue dog, your willingness to make changes might be different than a 50 year-old man, with a 12 year-old rescue dog.

My experience has been that mechanical ability has very little to do with being a driver anymore. While at Schneider, they didn't want me doing any mechanical work on a truck. Even in my current job, for a much smaller company, there's very little mechanical work I'll do, save for the occasional light bulb change.

Probably the shortest scenario I could see, meeting your requirements, was like when I went through a three-week CDL school, where I was home every night, then onto Schneider's 17-day Orientation. I literally went from the High Road Training Program here, to Permit Holder to CDL holder to Solo Driver, in 90 days. At that time, Schneider did not allow pets.

To me, the key in your situation is deciding why you "need" to change careers. If you're within 3-5 years of retirement, with a financial retirement plan, I don't know that I'd bail on what you're doing. If you're simply looking for additional income while collecting retirement from your current position, that's a whole different issue. See what I mean about the "older potential driver" moniker?

I hope this helps.

A couple of things come to my mind on your post.

1. How about having your pup stay with a friend or family member while you are in training?

2. How much does your dog enjoy riding? Essentially that's all we do; sometimes for weeks on end. That's a small dog, but these truck cabs are small, too. Some animals need more space than others.

3. You can try to find a company that you can train with while accompanied by your dog, but will probably be out of luck. An actual Service K9 would be acceptable, whereas an "emotional support animal" or an every day pet will not pass.

What is your location? I will keep the little guy for you. Va/Nc border is where I am located. Sounds crazy but let me know!!!!

Or Dayton, Oh area. I have family there. All of them have or had chihuahuas.

Thanks for your replies; I really appreciate what you're all saying.

To answer some of your questions though- I need a change because I've been in this field a very long time and it's wearing on me. Most people really don't realize the amount of suffering, death and dying we see and it takes its toll. I've been doing this since 1987 off and on and nothing but since 2005, including 6 years in Iraq as a bodyguard/medic. While I don't see trucking as an 'easy' job or even stress free, the stress level would be far lower than what I currently do and the type of stress would be a welcome change.

Driving is something I truly love to do and I do realize that being a professional driver OTR is not the same as driving the family car although in the EMS world, making long distance Critical transports we are stuck in the vehicle without the possibility of breaks except to fuel many times. I also realize that there is a fair amount of work involved in pretrip preparation and inspection and that handling a combination vehicle is far different than what I usually drive but I do have a lot of varied experience with large RV trailers, etc and I don't feel this will be the problem.

"Mechanically minded" refers to the fact that I'm not stepping into a completely foreign world; it was irrelevant, actually but what I meant to establish is that I'm not coming in with absolutely no knowledge of anything and that I can adapt easily to this type of work. Ambulances go through daily pre-trip check offs that include mechanical as well as medical equipment inspections. I don't have a pie in the sky view of this career; I know it's not just sitting back and watching the miles roll by.

I'm thinking going to a CDL course locally might be better in that at least that portion of it will be shorter as I'll be home every night rather than being gone for that as well.

My concern, really is how long I would be gone while in training? Is it going to be 6 weeks at a time with a trainer or would we be on the road 5 or 6 days and home for a day or two? If that is the case, I can better handle that.

I'm not THAT old...lol I'm 57 and plan on working another 10 years minimum.

My pup does like to travel and I currently live in my RV which isn't huge so she can handle smaller space.

Again, I really appreciate all of your perspectives and I just needed to get my concerns out there to hear different opinions of things and also see if there was anyone that had a better idea of how to get my way through the first part of training as I don't really have any family she can stay with.

Thank you all and I look forward to hearing from anyone else that would like to put their two cents in. You all will think of things I don't.

That IS a thought...Dobson is an hour from me! The problem is that Mazie is a rescue and is dog and cat aggressive (she wants to fight everything). She was abused in the past and prefers men over women and can't be around kids as they freak her out. Once she warms up she's OK but she bit me a couple times before she got accustomed to me. This is why I'm thinking a boarding situation would have to be how I go.

What is your location? I will keep the little guy for you. Va/Nc border is where I am located. Sounds crazy but let me know!!!!

TransAm has a training program that lasts one week at one of the company's terminals. I think they train at 3 terminals, but don't quote me on the number of terminals. I believe that they allow pets, but it would be best to contact TransAm. The company does not have CDL training, so you would have to get your CDL on your own before going to orientation.

Depending on the opportunities where you live, it's entirely possible to get your CDL and begin your driving career local, without ever spending a night away from home. I'm one of many drivers who have done it successfully. And at the age of 57 BTW.

she stays 14 hours a day alone while I work

This is good, because even home-daily jobs tend to be long hours so this ability of hers will be tested. And you'll want a petsitter on standby just in case you have a breakdown a couple hundred miles from home that results in you running out of hours and having to sit for ten hours off-duty before getting back. It happens.

Going OTR for the long haul has been something I've wanted to do for a long, long time

Going the local route can get you out of your current job rut, and might turn out to be something you'd enjoy. But if you have the OTR dream, it's definitely not that. It's more of a routine, doing the same routes to the same places day after day. Many of us have responsibilities at home that preclude hitting the open road for weeks at a time, but that doesn't mean we can't pursue a version of this career. And I'd expect a year or more of satisfactory local Class A driving would shorten the training period at an OTR carrier, but most will still require you to do a few months solo before you can bring along a pet.