Really Interested in the trucking world......

From the time i was a child, i have been drop dead in love with trucks...When i was a child I told everyone my dream job was to drive a truck i watched any trucking show, movie, everything! I know a ton about them, make, model, years etc, and still constantly look at all of them on the highway and wonder what its like to drive, and bought my galaxy Cb just to listen in and talk with the drivers when on the highway. I've now grown up and currently work in the trucking industry, but more so on the clerical side (Not going to mention in what industry as many have a bad outlook on it). Lately, i have been looking into making a change allowing myself to be more involved with the trucks themselves, and figured there is no better place to get some information or advice than this forum. So i have a couple questions regarding some of the potential jobs or positions within the trucking industry. I'm a serious newb here, so please keep that in mind when looking at my questions. Its hard to have your cake and eat it too, but figured id ask anyways.

I'm not necessarily interested in a long haul career, as the extended period from home are not of interest to me, but i do wonder what kind of careers might involve contact with the truck, or short hauls that may bring me home ever couple days, or on the weekends, or even each night? Maybe even jobs within companies that may involve partial contact with the trucks, but not necessarily a full time driving position? Do jobs like this exist? I know at work i see a few companies that run hauls for local intrastate cargo, or between companies within the same region. Are these positions available, or few and far between? Id love to own my own truck, and dont have much interest in companies like estes or saia or what not. Any of y'all hold positions similar to these, or have advice on what to look into?

 

This is what I would expect, but I feel something you enjoy, or have interest in, can be less like a job and feel like a career you may have pride in. I hate sitting at a desk all day, and I love driving and always have. Just like my love for trucks, just didn't know the extent of the positions within the actual trucking industry that exist, as that's what I have less knowledge in rather than the trucks themselves. It seems there is a lot of negativity in the trucking world, and a lot of drivers do nothing but complain, but I also speak with many who love it..I feel I might could be one of those individuals which is why I have the interest

 

I understand, I was not necessarily going in that direction. It's not just my love of trucks that draws me, it seems like something I could enjoy. Every job has it's problems, I know traffic, waiting on receivers, and truck problems occur. But was more so interested in what kind of jobs exist within the industry people might hold that don't necessarily involve long haul.

 

These are the hauls ive been looking into..I'd assume one could own their own truck and lease one or just be an independent OO for these companies? Can good/decent money be made in these fields?