The problem with getting your CDL is that it takes you into a whole new world. There are so many different jobs and situations and most new drivers don't have a clue.
Here are some things you should know:
How are you paid. hub miles, postal code miles, shortest route(maybe not truck appropriate), by the hr, by the day etc. When are you paid. Benefits? Do they cover your expenses when you need to get a motel because the truck broke down?
Are you ready to work up to 70 hrs or more a week for maybe $8/hr?
What are you going to eat and how much will you spend?
What happens when you get DOT'd and fined for defective equipment- who pays?
What about your family life . Do you mind missing your kids soccer game, school pagent or birthday party? or some all nighters with your wife?
Do you care that the highway is closed and you have to sit not earning and not home?
Do you care that a speeding ticket at work will affect your personal insurance ?
Can you work with a camera facing you 24/7?
Do you really believe the recruiters that blow sunshine up your butt?
Will it bother you when people cut so close in front of you that you can't see their taillights. Will you have patience to follow a driving school car down a winding highway for miles without being able to pass?
I'm an old guy,retired, empty nester and always have enjoyed equipment. I drove for almost 500k/ over two years and loved it. I had a new Pete 389, pulled wide and heavy, worked over 140 hrs over two weeks, took time off when I wanted, was really good at my coloring book and pulled down the best MPG in the company. I had 7 random level twos with out incident, one warning for speeding and one near death close call that caused me to decide to park the truck and get back to my toys and retirement. Its one thing to see accidents on tv but to see people killed around you and realize that it could be you makes the job really suck- especially if the kid at Mcdonals is making more per hr than you.
You better get off this forum and do lots of reading on the truckers forum because there is a lot that you need to know.
Another thought- go to a local truck stop, have lunch, sit in the drivers lounge and look at how life and good health is passing by a lot of these drivers. Oh and go and sit in the can and lsiten to your neighbors trying to drop their load, or the new citizen having a shower in the sink.
Trucking can be fun but go into it with your eyes wide open
