Quick and dirty background: graduated high school and did what half of everyone who has no idea what they want to do with their life does and went to college; because I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life I changed my major three times before finally graduating with a relatively useless degree; because I now had a relatively useless degree *and* student loans kicking in, I jumped right into the first job market I got an offer in…retail. I’ve worked in retail management five years now and I honestly just hate everything about it. Thinking about taking the plunge and getting my CDL to try a completely different employment route.
I think I can sort the finances for the school so that’s not my first concern. I’m single with no kids, so the work-family life balance won’t be a problem if I end up in OTR coast to coast. However, I really would prefer to avoid long haul driving if it’s at all possible.
I’ve heard that all new CDL drivers have to “do their time” on the road going OTR as a sort of right of passage before they can get better, local work. Is that true? Or is it possible for me to skip the OTR and go straight to route based driving with more time in my own bed? What kinds of things should I be doing versus not doing while applying to school, in school, and looking for jobs? Thank you in advance for any help.
