Is Part time trucking possible?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by milby, Jul 31, 2009.

  1. milby

    milby Light Load Member

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    Jul 21, 2007
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    I really want to give trucking a try but everyone says I would be a fool to switch careers at this point in my life. I have 10 years until I can take early retirement where I work. I will be 51 then. I currently make a little over $40,000.00 a year. There is nothing I can do in this job to make more money.

    I am planning on going through a truck driving school next summer knowing that I will not seek a full time job driving a truck. I just can't get it out of my mind and I think I will know if I would like it by going through a school.

    My question is...Is it possible to drive for someone on my days off? Part time if you will. I work four, ten hour days so I have three days off every week.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2009
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  3. whitakerinc

    whitakerinc Light Load Member

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    Dec 8, 2008
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    It is possible to find part-time driving jobs but it is very hard to locate them. My dad drove part-time for mellow moon until he got laid off from his normal day job last week so now he is a Full-Time driver. He drove part time for 6 years on the weekend while working a normal job. Since you don't plan on quitting your current job, it will be just a looking game. Whatever you do don't quit a job that your 10 years from retiring from to dive head first into an industry that is struggling. Good luck to you though.
     
  4. doubledragon5

    doubledragon5 Road Train Member

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    I have a few questions for you.

    1) do you have a spouse who also brings in income to make your total gross more than $40K
    2) Can you pay all of you living expenses on the $40+k on time?
    3) Do you have enough $$$ for entertainment after you have paid you monthly living cost.
    4) Do you have a decent saving account 401k,ROTH?
    5) Do you have decent benefits ie: health insurance, vacation, etc...?

    If you answer yes to all of these, then why in the world would you want to start driving a truck, even if it is part time.. There is no money to be made in trucking right now, with such a crappy economy, and many experience drivers looking to work. Not to mention the benefits suck, you wold be away from you family, and having to spend $$ a week to survive. Showers aren't free, and the food at truck stops can cost you lots of money as well.. Not to mention but companies would want you to have a least 1 to 2 yrs driving full time, before you could even think of driving part time.

    Wait the ten yrs and take early retirement, then maybe think of taking up driving.. I know a guy who did just that, he enjoys driving and the money he makes is spending money as every thing else is paid for from his retirement money ans SSI..
     
  5. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Ditto what Doubledragon said. But something more to consider as well; If you go through a driving school now, and then don't get a driving job, that school will be totally worthless to you for getting hired ten years from now. You will have to do it all over again.

    And to re-affirm what dd said: I don't know of anybody who would take on a part time driver that did not have actual experience. This is mainly due to insurance and the like.
     
  6. Kansas

    Kansas Road Train Member

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    Stay put for the next 10 years. Don't lose that retirement for something that you may HATE!!! This is a cruddy time to break into the trucking industry, and I can dang near promise you, you wont make $40K a year driving a truck for somebody, at least not for the first few years. Absolutely do not be fooled by the ads that say you can make 60-70K a year, its BS!
     
  7. L.B.

    L.B. Third Generation Truck Driver

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    Look at places like Coca-cola, and P&D places in your area who may need relief drivers. Once you get experience you could move up to gas hauling as a relief driver or something. If there are DCs in your area, see if they need a part-time yard jockey driver.
     
  8. L.B.

    L.B. Third Generation Truck Driver

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    I saw an ad for a part time class A driver in the Macon, GA area recently but I think it was more than 3 days a week.
     
  9. walleye

    walleye Road Train Member

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    Is there much of a dairy industry where you are??,....If so talk to the creameries,..They might be able to use a part time milk truck driver for farm pick up,.....Up here in WI they used to pay pretty well for that because farms are picked up 7 days a week and nobody want's to work 7 days a week!!!,......You might pick up some extra money for the next 10 years,.Get some smooth bore tanker experience and be in a good position in 10 years to move into a full time job when you retire from your current position...
     
  10. jim-oh

    jim-oh Light Load Member

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    Apr 30, 2009
    Toledo,oh
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    part time..... whats that about 50 hours a week.
     
  11. cowdoc

    cowdoc Light Load Member

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    Sep 15, 2008
    walnut ridge, ar
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    I haul grain part time. I work 8-9 months out of the year. But when I'm working it's 40-65 hrs/week.
     
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