That's like asking if we know what's going to happen in the future. I know I'm from a differant country, but the principal stays the same. If i could look into the future and things didn't look too green when I started out , I would have probably still taken the plunge, not because I cared about the future, but because I had a passion for a truck. For me trucking is in my blood. To be honest with you after 18 years in the trucking industry, I opened my eyes and saw the real busssines behind it. Before that I would run 20 Hrs a day just for the love of it. I still have a great love for trucks but nowadays I only see the bussines in it, i.e if I don't make money with it I don't care much.

Originally Posted by Worthken

That's like asking if we know what's going to happen in the future.

I guess, what I really was asking, do you think trucking is a good career path today. I keep reading how miles are declining, economy sucks, etc etc. I am sure when you started, life on the road was completely different. So, comparing then to now. Is it still a good route. Thanks

No. My second occupational desire was to fly ... wish I had got my pilots license now. But was too old to change once I realized trucking was a dead-end job.

To give you an example. I come from a family of truckers, my grandfather opperated a fleet of 18 trucks during the 1970's. My father opperated a fleet of 7 trucks during the 1980's I myself started with 1 truck and ended up with 5 during 2000. I sold everything and started from scratch in 2008. At the moment I'm an owner operator with one truck, I'm driving it myself and maintaining it myself. To be honest with you I won't run a load if its not worth it. As far as I'm concerned for me it's the best way to earn revenue. Please understand even though I'm talking from an O/O point of view I'm not saying you won't make it from a drivers point of view. I know company drivers that take home the same money than me, only because they take pride in their work, they respect their equipment, and they love what they are doing. What I'm trying to say is don't go in to trucking only for the money, no one will be able to do a job to their full potential if money was the only incentive. Have passion for what you do.

Originally Posted by Worthken

Have passion for what you do.

Great advice.

Originally Posted by STexan

No. My second occupational desire was to fly ... wish I had got my pilots license now. But was too old to change once I realized trucking was a dead-end job.

It's funny that you mention that, that also was my answer in school when asked what I wanted to do. I guess I settled for second best, flying on the road.

I know nothing about career paths but I do know this I still get as giddy as a school girl when I fire up my truck in the morning !!! I love my job I know this makes me a freak but them's the facts !!

I have a great wife and two great kids and I have been driving from almost the first day of my marriage .

Life on the road is just as hard today as it has always been . Being gone from the family is just as hard today as it was 32 years ago . It is allot easier and cheaper now to keep in touch than it was 32 years ago .

The mega companies still suck as bad as they did 32 years ago . Today everyone thinks you have to start with being treated like a slave to become a truck driver which is not the way it was back in the day.

So after rambling on like the old man that I have become I will just say for I would do it all over again and if I was to start today I would still jump on it like a duck on a June bug !!!

Once again I am not your average truck driver I am a happy and satisfied truck driver.......LOL

Originally Posted by marmonman

I know nothing about career paths but I do know this I still get as giddy as a school girl when I fire up my truck in the morning !!! I love my job I know this makes me a freak but them's the facts !!

That doesn't make you a freak. That, my man, makes you the luckiest guy in the world. God bless you.