I’ve recently retired from the Coast Guard after 30 years and am looking to do something I WANT to do, vs. “have to” (i.e. go sit at a desk all day). My son is about half way through trucking school and as a result the thought of my pursuing trucking as a second career has resurfaced from oh, so long ago! LOL!

After weeks (and weeks, and weeks, and weeks) of perusing trucking web sites and forums there seems to be only one question (out of the million or so asked) that hasn’t been asked and this is specifically targeted towards some of you guys who have been around for quite some time.

So here it is…

In the past when the economy has tanked fairly significantly (as we seem to be on the cusp of doing now), how much has it affected trucking jobs in regards to miles driven, lay offs, etc? Obviously if fewer goods are being made and sold then there are fewer goods being shipped which = less trucks on the road etc. Any experiences you have had in this area and advice on how one can try to ensure they don’t fall into the “laid off” category would be greatly appreciated!

Heck, I think this may even qualify as a fairly intelligent question from a “Wantabe”!

I've never heard of drivers being "laid off," when the economy slows down. people still have to eat/drink/buy tooth paste, toilet paper, etc. at most you might sit a little longer waiting on your next load. trucking companies are more likely to terminate contracts with their owner operators to have more freight for their company trucks when things slow down. so in that sense, you'd be better off to drive for a company than "own your own business."

There is a shortage of truckers now. With the economy being the way it is now I wouldn't ba an owner/op. But being a company driver you will still have work depending on the company. If you go with Reefer or Tanker you can haul food and/ or oil/gasoline etc which is stuff still needed whether people can afford it or not.

Good question from a new guy ...like myself.
I have been wondering the same thing. I just finished school (down in Everett, WA) and now waiting to go to my company, hopefully late this week or early next.

Good luck out there!
Rick

I thought that was a really good question and answerd very well too. Good luck and I bet as a vet you can get the whole thing paid for to!

I started driving in 1967, and was laid off by a union LTL company in 1970 during the Chicago strike.

During the 1974-75 recession, I was a single unit owner-operator laid off by the truckload van division of another union LTL/TL company as they tried to protect their company fleet. During that recession, I leased to a refrigerated outfit to keep the wheels turning. I should have drawn unemployment instead.

This happened again in 1982 when yet another union TL company laid off all of their single unit owner-operators during a recession to protect their fleet owners. That time, I sold my truck and my employer had to find a fleet tractor for me to drive.

I was hauling from Michigan Fruit Canners in 2002 when there was no tart cherry harvest due to cold spring weather. I changed jobs to keep working year around.

Finally, in 2006/07, work became slow due to the slow-down in automotive. My employer had the policy of never laying anyone off. A few drivers quit when they could not support their families on less than 40 hours per week. I decided to retire when I reached full social security age. The cost of commuting is not worth it if you are working only part time.

When the economy catches a cold, the trucking industry catches pneumonia.

I'll pass on what my Dad told me years ago. Get a driving job where the commodity is in demand and always will be. I found gasoline to be the best for me. But there are others like food and basic needs. Also find a company (if you can) that does NOT make their revenue from the truck. Check to see if they have drivers that retire and make the best use of your benefits with theirs.

Congratulations on your service to our country. I did 20 in the Navy and got out to make the "Big Bucks" and did but I wish I would have done 10 more.

My apologies for any thread hijaaking, but since I see on your profile GH, that you're only 55...
is there a specific reason that you couldn't go another 10 years?

__________________
No good deed goes unpunished...

No just wanted to make some real money. I can't complain, I've retired now twice.

Based on what I’ve read here (and special tanks to the “old timer “Heyns57” which gave some significant history) it looks like what I should avoid is working for a company who has to much of it’s fleet tied up in shipping commodities that traditionally will suffer during a recession (cars, furniture and large appliances come to mind). While one (or more) suggested tanker w/gas as possibly recession proof, even those deliveries will be reduced when people stop driving and take mass transit because they’re broke, laid off, etc. Once I see how my meeting this Thursday goes with my current employer (work me more and pay me more type of meeting) I’ll decide if I’m going to take the big leap to trucking. If so, I’ll then start looking for the “perfect” commodity to truck….. perhaps toilet paper or empty 55 gallon drums to D.C. to haul out all of the b*** s*** the politicians dish out?



One way or the other, thanks everyone for your responses.

p.s. to NavyVet-07
You mentioned in your post on the TruckerReport Forum that you just finished trucking school in Everett. Which one was it and how did it go? Cost reasonable, instructors good?

Thanks