This isn't exactly a lifelong dream or anything, just trying to expand my horizons and make myself worth a little more in the job market. If all goes according to plan, I should have my CDL by turkey day, then I can start working for a local trucking company and doubling my current take home pay.
I'm looking forward to it, even if I decide to start taking online courses for IT work, it will be nice to have a CDL as a backup plan.
I come from a long line of truckers but I broke tradition (almost went but my girlfriend/now wife talked me out of it). The most important things are to pick out a good CB handle and get a satellite radio. 
I've got a few ideas on the CB handle, but I may not need the satellite radio.
There's a few local companies that handle a lot of distribution center traffic, so you can run shuttles in a day cab and go home every night.
I figure its not a terrible way to gain experience.
Are you paying for school or being sponsored? All the sponsors Ive seen require 1-2 years OTR. YMMV
I'm paying for it. Didn't want the hassle of a sponsored school, and there are several companies that take drivers straight out of my school.
I got a pretty decent interest rate through my credit union, and can pay it down fairly quickly once I start working.
Do us a favor. If you're doing less than 70, stay in the right lane on the highway. In the last few years truckers will just park in the middle lane and cause a nasty slowdown.
Racer1ab wrote: I've got a few ideas on the CB handle....
Is it Bob Costas or HF Hammer?
Trucking school makes me think of this:
(only SoCal people would remember this)
In reply to DrBoost:
The main company I'm considering right now has all their day cab trucks governed at 65, so that shouldn't be an issue.
Another thing I won't engage in is the, "Oh, he's going 62 so I will overtake at 63 and take about 3 years to complete my pass" move.
In reply to aircooled:
Bob Costas hammer has a nice ring to it.
Just "Costas Hammer".
Costas Hammer on the boards, Bob Costas hammer on the roads. 
I have nothing to add other than i have been playing a lot of euro truck simulator 2 lately
In reply to failboat:
Just watched the trailer for that, and now I'm interested. Do you have a wheel or controller setup for it?
Its funny, there are two local schools that offer training. One has a partnership with Volvo and offers much nicer rigs to learn in, the other has stuff that is old as dirt but naturally, they fit my schedule better.
Probably better off learning in the older stuff anyway. When you get into a real job you'll already have a bit of experience driving something with a few quirks. Good luck.
In reply to Racer1ab:
Im using a Fanatec csr on the pc. The game demo is free so you can see if your pc will handle it, full games like $40 and theres tons of free community mods.
Racer1ab wrote: In reply to DrBoost: The main company I'm considering right now has all their day cab trucks governed at 65, so that shouldn't be an issue. Another thing I won't engage in is the, "Oh, he's going 62 so I will overtake at 63 and take about 3 years to complete my pass" move.
This instantly exalts you to "Me Hero" status. We all thank you!
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