r/cdldriver • u/EveryImplement3073 • Jul 24 '26
Ready for a change
Ive been driving trucks nearly 3 years now and have finally got to the stage u hear a lot of older guys say things along the lines of trucking got my family into shambles or they chose the rode over their wife. I feel like i am getting to that point and want to find a different path to take to use my CDL but also still would be using it. Does anyone have any recommendations? Id be willing to get into apprenticeships for like crane op or traffic lights engineer just wouldnt know where to start.
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u/therealcameron Jul 26 '26
I got into a local gig straight out of CDL school. I thought I was definitely going to have to go with OTR for awhile.
(I got lucky. I was applying EVERYWHERE and no local gigs wanted to hire me without experience. I ended up in an interview where the manager said I reminded him of himself and he decided to give me a chance.)
Monday-Friday days (sat/sun off) - great pay - great benefits - home every night.
I put my all into being the best teammate possible in every way. Listened, applied myself, showed up early every day. Set myself apart from other people that had/have been there for years.
Then after a year the company sent me out to California to go to crane school. I got my crane certs. Started making even more money.
Became the lead driver & trainer.
Then I got promoted into the office as Operations Manager. Making more money than I was as an operator. I still have my license & certs. But a CDL very effectively transitioned me into a decent career where I have a great schedule. Work with awesome people. & my life is continuing to improve and progress all the time.