Those Of You That Have Left the Industry, Where Did You Go?

I personally haven't left the industry but if I ever chose to do so...working for the federal government allows me to transfer to any job within the Post Office or any other federal agency. We've had many drivers that gave up driving all together and transferred to different departments...such as being a supervisor, manager, driver instructor, maintenance custodian, maintenance mechanic, electrical mechanic, federal postal police, federal agents (postal Inspectors), mail handlers, window clerks, manual and automation clerks, sales clerk, letter carrier, postal nurse, etc., etc., the list goes on and on. And this is just within our agency alone. It doesn't even include all the other federal agencies that you can also transfer to. And if you ever got injured on the job or couldn't pass a DOT physical for whatever reason that prevented you from being a driver, you don't lose your job. The PO is obligated to find you another job within the agency. Practically all jobs are union too...which allows you to make over $100k per year on almost any position you apply for once you are at top rate. Government benefits are hard to beat...plus you get a pension, 401k and benefits after you retire. But it's not all peaches and cream. The down side is that nobody starts off full-time at the PO. You have to start off part-time and wait for your turn to land a full-time gig. Plus the fact that the union payscales for most bargaining jobs takes around 10 years to reach top rate. So it'll be pretty ruff for new hirees to make any decent money starting as a part-timer with no set schedule and low beginning pay rate. You have to really think and make sure you do your research first and be willing to possibly struggle for the first couple years before you decide to take a government job.

But other than that, maybe look into being a yard jockey somewhere or a state job. Call up your local trucking schools and see if they need an instructor. I would still not give up on looking for a local trucking job though. IMO...LTL is the way to go. Good luck.

 

Never really left.

When I stopped back in 2002 Jan, I continued to work on as a Crew Boss wrangling CDL Crews until I went blind in 2009 very part time. Teaching those in autos and manuals as needed. While holding the old iron for the ancient ones or myself. Teams of doctors and rounds of surgery after 2005. continuing to repair or replace parts of the body as needed. Jokingly working on my first million insurance towards the so called 6 million dollar man from the old 70's show.

I may never return to the road for a variety of reasons. However I have four standing Jobs around the USA that I could take advantage of if I did go out there again which depends a great deal on future medical work this year.

Its not all wasted time, we fought cancer, failed college and so forth in life so this was a chapter that was best written. Throw in a number of other problem solving adventures such as care giving for spouse etc. If I never had time off in trucking most of my working years I certainly have had 10 years off so far to clean up our messes. Particularly the last three years.

Part of the problem is one can get too institutionalized in this kind of life. A form of existence without purpose or pleasure from work. So we try to avoid that. Every morning like this one presents a list of things that need to be done and some days not enough time to do them all. We got the ex out of her hand cast at the VA last week. I am keeping a eye on her until she heals this month from surgery herself. Running both vehicles through spring time maintenance which focuses on engine, transmission etc. throwing money around by the bunch to solve shop problems before the heat of summer. One vehicle is or was in bad shape in some ways. But repairs are aggressively being pursued which means whole days waiting on it in several shops this month.

We have several doctors appts this month that is the main focus one way or the other. Here in Arkansas its also storm season so we are working on that as well.

 

Its harder to get out of trucking then you think, especially long haul / OTR. Gets in your blood. Alot of drivers leave it but end up coming back again.

 

Florida

 

There are a few like msyelf who will die a trucker. Thats a given. Now if you asked my Ex about trucking she will smile and tell you stories. But for her thats not who she is. Its something that she wanted to do at least once for a while and see how it plays out financially. Ultimately there is no money in it. Even in 2001.

Even less money today against 2001 wages of almost .50 a mile for me solo. So it's not worth it financially.

 

where did i go..??

R.E.T.I.E.R.M.E.N.T. (and now i go sport shooting, and lovin' it)

after 48 years, enough was enough.

i did the long haul thing (what has been known as OTR for many years now, to not make it look like it is such a LONG HAUL and away from the home)

and then i got into regional, local, and then dedicated.

you can earn some good money working for an LTL company, either as a daily route driver, or line haul, and be home nightly or during the week, and many if not most weekends

you can make some good money regionally being out 1 to 4 nights a week as well, home weekends.

you can make some good money on a dedicated run, home most if not all weekends. (and for me, home after about an 8.5 to 9.5 hour shift)

back in my earlier days, you did, what you had to do, being on the road weeks or months at a time. companies discovered after the millionth driver quitting, that being LONG HAUL was way too much stress on some drivers, as well as families.

many OTR companies now limit your time out and i think many have 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off, or something like that.

back in my earlier years, missing out on family functions was the norm.

we didn't have much choice at times.

so you have options, LOTS of options for employment to fit your needs, but always remember at least ONE thing...

it's still a job, that has to be done.

 

OK.....
After a few years in the Military (joined 1976)...(involved in Heavy/Heavy vehicle repairs and Recovery)
Spent 8yrs as L.E.O.
Started Long Haul U.S.A Stateside (48 & Canada) in 1996. After 24yrs (No tickets/No accidents ever) driving 140Kmiles per yr., just retired for good One week ago.
(Spent my last year 2019, hauling Beer from Ohio Brewery locally, 500 miles a day, home every day. Off weekends, 45K yr.)
I can tell you only this,(and this hat does not fit everybody)
The key is WISDOM, you need to handle your Family affairs with wisdom and understanding that Family is 1rst. (No matter what).
Your wife and is going to need your support EVERY day in dealing with matters relating your Kids. Then comes the Financial aspect of it. You have to account every cent that comes In and every cent that goes OUT. I mean these days you buy One Coke every day and that is $45.00 dollars a month just in Coke. Get the picture??? Finally HEALTH yours as the provider and then the Family (If You don't take care of your health then Who is going to care for your Family?)
Establish a list of GOALS.
MAKE A LIST.. tape it to your Refrigerator door......so you SEE IT...every time you go fetch a BEER from it. ( 1 beer daily is $49.00 dollars a month depending on you preference)
There....I hope that brings you Light....Wish You and your family...HAPPY TRAILS..!!!
Wisdom, Wisdom, Wisdom.

 

USF Holland - local driver - Joplin, MO
$20.80 hr.
Click --->> Apply On Company Site

 

Foodliner - Joplin, MO drivers
Foodliner, Inc. is one of the largest bulk food carriers in the country and a Transport Topic Top 100 carrier. We are looking for Professional Class A Truck Drivers to join our team. Our current driver averages $70,000/year with the potential to make $80,000/year or more!
Paid Time Off-80 Hours in the First Year!

· Home multiple times per week

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· $3,000 Sign-on Bonus, $5,000 if you have bulk (Liquid or Dry) experience!

· Top Class A Truck Drivers can make $65,000-$80,000 yearly, potential for more!

· Annual Seniority Bonus up to $2,750 per year

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· Weekend Delivery Premium: $100 per day