Ok, guys should I become a trucker?

Watch the movie "CONVOY" There is nothing to prepare you for the life of a driver.Like everything there are pros and cons.You have come to the right place there is a thousand years of knowledge on this site.

 

if you can dream it you can do it just dont let people bring you down because you will deal with alot of S*** out here good luck!

 

"Ok, guys should I become a trucker?"

 

I'll give you some info.


If your in it for the money, go into LTL. (UPS, Con-way, Fed ex, etc.) Most, not all, require some experience. You'll be paid for everything and be home every might/day. Even places like Coke, Pepsi and even being a beer man can put a nice check in your pocket. I would say most of the good LTL companies you should expect to make $40,000+ your first year.

If you go OTR you won't make as much as you should. If you add up all the hours your doing company business compared to what you make it will be around $10 an hr with no overtime (less then $10 is you calculate OT after 40). Being a new driver this might be the best place to get your CDL and some experience. I would suggest going with a company that sends you out with a trainer. There is more to trucking then just driving and having someone when you first start out is nice. (if you get a good trainer) Your first year will be $25,000 - $35,000.

Something else you might consider is CDL-B driving. (dump truck, trash truck, etc) I know a few guys who drive a dump and make over $25 an hour with OT after 8 hrs a day, + insurance, holiday pay, and vacation.


Good luck with whatever route you decide to go.

 

That's not a pipe dream you're experiencing, you're having a Nightmare!!!!

 

You should make sure you research what the life of a driver is all about before you make a decision like that. Look on here and maybe other places to see what exactly is dealt with out here. You will see a lot of the country but it will be from the interstate. In some ways you have romanticized it. However, if you do your homework and decide it is still something you want to do I say go for it. Just go into with both eyes open and no rose colored glasses. Good luck

 

in as few words as possible......

NO

forget about the "romanticizing" of this profession as you call it, because there just ain't nothing "romantic" about it, unless you are talking about being with yourself in the sleeper with a sock puppet....

tv movies, silver screen movies, either glamorize things or make a mockery of them in trucking if only to draw an audience. when in fact, a hollywood screen writer ought to actually sit in a truck for weeks ON END to see what the job is all about.

you will not "get to see the country" as a tourist, but from the windshield as you will have appointments to keep. you will have a hard time "romanticizing" trucking when you are at a truck stop at 3 Am in the morning, and STILL waiting to take your shower or do your laundry, or even find the truck stop restaurant to be open or you will need to eat one of those stale day old hot dogs at the fuel desk....

why do you want to do this now, when you were "thinking about it 2 years now"...?????

do you think trucking is BETTER NOW than it was 2 years ago..?? do you think the economy is better now than 2 years ago..??

how is your driving record NOW, your work record NOW, any criminal past or drug usage you need to worry about..???

frankly, when a person has to "think for 2 years".......they should just continue to think a few more years.........

stay where you are at, and "romanticize" about getting a big pay raise from your current employer.

 

If you are not ready to make a total committment to trucking as a complete lifestyle, almost a calling, then it is very likely the numerous disappointments and frustrations will overwhelm you.