The "Magical" trucking world....?

[4headlogic]

I'm un-employed. I had worked for American Freightways as a Dock Jockey and was starting the driver training program they had before FeDEX gobbled them up years ago.
Then, 10yrs ago, trucking seemed stable. Unfortunately I was cut when FedEX streamlined the workforce. I went on to other things. Fast forward to now. I'm having no luck finding work in my career choice and have considered OTR Truck Driving. My father did it and my father-in-law did it. I've been looking over the posts in here and other sources and notice that maybe trucking is not the "magical" job that has been presented to me by a local recuiter I've talked to to get my Company Sponsored CDL training from in the next month or so. I have not started or commited yet, still researching.
My father-in-law re-instated his CDL recently, but he is
repo-ing O/O trucks full time for banks from defaults on truck loans. My father was a full-time trucker, trainer, and Safety trainer for Ryder, National Freight, Penske, and AF until retiring in the mid-1990's from the industry. He told me the best way to gain experience and make yourself marketable is thru Company Training and OTR driving for at least a year for that company. And "keep your nose clean" thru the "hell year" or so.
I'm 38 years old, I'm married, 3yr old daughter, a son on the way, and bills up to my neck. No jobs or prospects in my current field. Hell, I can't even get a job frying hamburgers. The Local Unemployment office cut funding for State Sponsored CDL training this month. So...Company Sponsored CDL training is my only option at this point.
Has the trucking industry really declined that bad? And if so, why are "Starter" Companies avertising like crazy in the mid-eastern US for "Trainees" with "No Experience"?
I'm confused. When a Company is willing to offer you a job and then Pay for full CDL training for that job that Industry, why would they pay $4k of their money on thousands of trainees to just to let that them sit or get laid-off as soon as they finish training? What is the sense of investment there? According to the posts in here and other sources, trucking is showing a major slow down. I see O/O truckers giving up and defaulting on their trucks. Is the Industry shifting to a "Company-Run" Industry rather than a "Contractor-Run" or "Driver-Run" Industry. And if it is slowing down, why advertise for more workers? Any more experienced insight, aside from what I've observed and researched myself, would be helpful. Thanks.

[str8shooter44]

In short, these companys bring in a driver for training and 8 weeks on the road at slave wages with a trainer then put them out the door. In the meantime they can then collect a kickback from the government for doing their good deed. More students equals more money for them and to heck with the student.

[4headlogic]

It's a damn shame. So the Gov't kickback gives them the $$ to cover the $4k and then some. And the trainee is stuck with the rest of the bill to the Training Company all at once instead of the payback over the "contracted" year of servitude. Makes you think.

[Gonfercoffee]

3 yr old daughter and son on the way.....you can't go OTR...what are you thinking?

[4headlogic]

My Dad did it with Me and my brother at that age. My wife's dad did it also when she was growing up.
I need to do what I can to support my family. Part time work at Wally-World or Fryboys ain't going to cut it. I have to complete new training even in my current profession to qualify for the few, if any jobs, that are out there. Plus, I know I'm gambling the Trucking Industry will turn around. My dad worked since the early 1970's in this Industry and has seen it fluctuate in his time. It depends on the timing you get into the industry, if it will pan out or not.
I know I'll be sacrificing alot now, but I need a stable job and profession. Gov't is not going to give me a bailout.

(I could print some "Monopoly" money, like the FED) Hmmmm.......

[jummer]

Tings are picking up. I came back out 30 days ago at 32cpm I put 3200 in the bank for those 30 days. Its not what it used to be, but its tolerable. We exspect a slow down in jan/feb then this recession will be over. Its a gamble but I say go for it.