Hello,

I know that I am the only one that can answer this question, but still looking for feedback from experienced professional drivers. Being in my mid 30's I consider myself a "career changer". I have spent 10 years as an insurance adjuster, with 1/2 my time spent in the office, the other 1/2 in the field looking at damaged cars, houses, etc. I am sick and tired of the work, the enormous stress ( such as nightmares at 2am did I forget to do this, or did I spend too much $$$ on a claim and will get fired). Money is good, say $50-$60k in return for 60 hours of work, plus nightmares and sleepless nights. So its time for a change.

I love driving, the wife and I take road trips all the time. To me, driving 10 hours is better than doing what I do as a claims adjuster, especially if your getting paid for it. My question is, do you think Trucking will be a huge "shock" for a guy with my background? I remember once when I was in my twenties, a local neighbor rented a Uhaul and asked me to deliver furniture to his kid 1500 miles away. He wanted to save money by not hiring a moving company. I did this for him, and I remember thinking man I am getting paid to just drive this junk out to his kid several states away ! I drove all through the night, slept in the Uhaul truck ( in the drivers seat !) for like 3 hours, delivered, and drove nonstop home. All told, I was gone 3 days and made $500 from this guy ! Easiest $500 I ever made.

Last question, how do you guys avoid getting lost. I mean Highways are simple, but when it comes time to deliver or pick up, how do u find your way? How do you know where to pull the truck, especially if its a busy customer, big terminal, etc. ? With a car, its so small you just turn around, but I would hate to back myself into a squeeze, and have to turn around in a big rig truck.

Your stress level WILL NOT go down. Until about your 5th year at this job. If then.

This is a stressful job. We have appointments which MUST be met. Or we get to sit until the next day. Sometimes in the worse places.

Add the stress of a family member that needs you NOW. And you're 1200 miles away.

$500 in 3 days. Cool. Obviously no taxes. Factor taxes, meals, showers, and personal supplies you need.

Your average driver may make about $900 pre tax. Some less, some more, depending on experience.

Hometime = reduced pay. You get paid to drive. Unless you get paid by the hour.

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Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.

EXACTLY!
If you are looking for a non stress job, trucking isn't it! I can certainly second these words.

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$500 in 3 days and no taxes...the Government takes enough as it is, less Govt involvement the better LOL

I didn't mean NO stress. Jobs that have no stress=low pay. I agree that driving must be stressful, and that is why drivers make a decent living. But As a claims adjuster, you deal with angry, upset people for 10 hours per day. Non stop people arguing because they say you are not paying them enough money to fix their car or repair their house. People making threats, telling you they will find you and beat you up if you don't give them a new fender for their car vs a used one that will look fine once it is painted ( on a 10 year old car to begin with !) I have had people call me at home after hours to argue with me or worse threaten me, so I had to have an unpublished number. Its a job where you are verbally abused by people for your entire day. Pay me double, and maybe I could do it for 30 years, but heck, pay me double and I will shovel #### for a living !

Driving I imagine has a lot of stress, especially if you dont know where the heck you are going ( see my 2nd question above) deadlines, angry shippers, and such. BUT, once you are on your way, headed out for a 600 or 1000 mile run, you can relax a little and collect your thoughts on th ehighways. I didn't mean no stress, just that you get time in between your stressful moments. To me, a nice change of pace I think, but not sure ??

Hmmm.....IMO YOUR situation is really no different then a drivers. The only difference being the office setting.
TRAFFIC is people and stress, just different is all.

YOU never know when some crazy is going to cause troubles for an 18 wheeler out there. I see it day in and day out. My husband has been driving for over 25 years, and he can tell you first hand, the stress he has encountered from 4 wheelers to big rigs!

Now that's just only one small part of stressful trucking.

There are good times too, don't get me wrong.

I don't know what this is, that calls to some men and women the overwhelming urge to get into a big truck and head down the highway.
But it truly is a real feeling and alot of us have it.

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Let me help you with this "on your way no stress" idea.

I was on a run this week, running well ahead of schedule. It took a total of 5 seconds for dispatch to place my balls in a vice.

A scheduled appointment, now needed to be delivered a day early. No biggy, I can make it...barely. This was not requested by the customer. But, by logistics of the day.

Contact the customer. Gee Whiz, we're leaving an hour early today.

We deal with this #$## every day. 24/7

If you think an angry claim holder is stressful. Just wait until you get lost going to a "firm" appointment, then get stopped, get a ticket, get to the customer late. Then are told the load will be resceduled for delivary the next morning.

AND your company has been fined $300 because you were late. On top of that, the nearest place to park your truck, is 50 miles away. And the customer WILL NOT allow you to park on their property.

You have no clue what stress is, until you have backed a 102 inch trailer, into a 104 inch DARK hole. While manuavering around parked cars that people refuse to move.

Post like yours are dealt with everyday. In reality, not just on a BBS. All I can do, is wonder what the #### these people were thinking when they gave up a good job, for trucking.

Don't get me wrong. trucking has been good to me. It will be good for many other people. But those same people will pay a price, as I have.

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Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.

Well, that's why I came here for advice. I figure people will tell it like it is, in the same way I would tell someone thinking about training to become an insurance adjuster.

For me, it has a lot to do with change. I guess I have handled the stress in the claims world for years, so I would hope I could also handle stress on the road, but one never knows I guess until they actually do it.

Your scenario above sounds very stressful, no doubt about that. As for me giving up a good job though, there is nothing good about be a claims adjuster in my opinion, except for the obvious, which is a good living and being home at night. Like I said, for me, its just about making a change. Maybe trucking is not the right change, I don't know yet, but that is why I am researching.

Its too bad that companies did not have aprogram to allow prospective newbies to ride along with someone for a week or so just to see if they like it. I know, I know, that's impossible, but I have to imagine a couple of weeks on the road, and I would know for sure if I was cut out for it.

Thanks again for your help though. Take care !

You might make out okay. Just come into this field expecting anything and everything.

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Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.

Quick question. What kinds of stress do you generally go through during your day driving.

Just an idea of what to expect.

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I'm a man..........And I can change..........If I have to..........I guess.

Oh Gawd !! Where to start.

Time schedules
Slow traffic on narrow roads with no way to pass.
Granny pulling out in front of me, doing only 20 mph. And only going to the next driveway.
45 minute fuel stops, or longer. Due to drivers that take a meal break at the pumps.
Running behind schedule, and being stopped for ANY reason by Law Enforcement.
Having to explain to dispatch..yes it's only 30 miles away. But there are 40 red lights and only 12 actual miles of road the speed limit exceeds 35 mph
Having to explain to the 100th customer, NO a 75 foot vehicle will NOT fit in a 50 foot hole.
Having to use the main road, to back in a driveway. During rush hour.
Having to blindside in that driveway, with no one blocking traffic.
Having my daughter call me and tell me she really needs me home, right now.


Other than those issues. It's pretty much a party out here all the time....not.

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Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.