Is Becoming a Truck Driver Right for Me?

First of all, hello. I'm new here, but I've been lurking for a little while.

I know that no one can tell me 100% yes or no, but I was hoping I could get some opinions from as many as possible based on what I tell you about myself.

I've been thinking very seriously about getting into trucking for a couple of weeks now. I've been reading tons of forum posts and articles, and I've watched dozens of videos about being a truck driver on YouTube and other places.

I've read about all the pros and cons and I'm thinking more and more that this might be something I'd enjoy doing, despite the "cons", many of which aren't even "cons" to me at all really.

I'll tell you a little about myself and my situation. I'm 34 years old, never married, no kids, not even a girlfriend at the moment, so I have no attachments here at home. The last few years have sucked.

I was an insurance agent for 9 years, sold cars for a couple years. Basically I've been in sales most of my adult life and hated it with a passion. I hate dressing up and I really don't like working with other people or trying to sell things to people. I also always hated having to go to an office every day.

I lost my last steady job selling cars when the market crashed and I've pretty much been out of work for a couple years now. I've done some computer work on the side to make a little money here and there but for the most part, I've lost everything the last two years, my home, my car, I have no money to speak of and I ended up having to move back in with my parents.

So, I'm at a point where I absolutely have "nothing to lose" as they say, which is why I've been considering trucking as a career. I figure, if nothing else I can do it for a year or two to get back on my feet and if I hate it, then I can find something else to do.

Reasons I think it would be a good move for me:

1. Not making a lot of money right away wouldn't make any difference to me. I haven't had a steady paycheck in 2 years so anything is better than what I have now. I literally have like $9 to my name right now.

2. I've only been in one accident and it was a very minor one 13 years ago. I had a few tickets when I was younger as well, but they are all at least 12 years old. I have no criminal record of any kind.

3. I am and always have been a "loner". Not that I can't get along with others, I definitely can, I can fake it with the best of them. I played sports in high school, have had a pretty active social life when I wanted to over the years, but I've always preferred to be left alone a majority of the time. I've always worked best when someone says, "this is what we need you to do by this time" and then leaves me the hell alone and lets me do it.

4. Being away from home for long periods wouldn't bother me, in fact, as much as I love them to death, after living with my parents for the last year, I will more than welcome long periods out on my own. As I said before, no wife, no gf, no kids and only one really good friend that still lives near me that I ever hang out with anyway.

5. I am a very laid back person. Things that I have no control over, just don't bother me. I have a very "whatever" kind of attitude towards things when they go wrong. I very very rarely lose my temper.

6. I'm a pretty intelligent guy and have always been a quick learner, so I don't think the learning part would be a problem for me. I've never failed a test of any kind in my life. SAT and ACT scores were in the top 2% in the nation, I always passed state insurance exams the first time I took them, blah blah blah. Bottom line, I'm a smart guy and not trying to brag or anything, but I'm not ashamed of the fact that I'm intelligent.

7. I'm in decent shape. Not the kind of shape I was in high school when I played football and baseball year round, but I'm about 5' 9", 175 lbs, still pretty athletic build, so I don't think the job would be physically taxing on me.

8. I like to drive and really would love to travel, and yes I know that I'm not really going to have much time to go sightseeing, but it would be awesome to me to just see anything outside of the south. I've lived in Alabama since I was 7 and have never been west of Mississippi, never been further north than Indiana and never been further east than eastern Kentucky.

That's about all I can think of right now. Sorry if my post was a little long, but if any of you can give me your opinions I would love to hear them. Thanks ahead of time to anyone who replies.

 

JnyBlu I stopped reading your post after you said you had no attachments at home, because that is the main reason truckers complain. You will love it. PM me if you have any questions and I can refer you to my excellent company after your schooling. I love them and I am very happy . I stay clean and can run as hard as I want and make 800 - 1200 per week at only 33 cents starting out so once I get my raises I will be even better off. I have been a computer programmer for 15 years so I know all about office jobs and hate having a boss in my face.
I still feel like a business owner because the only thing I am told to do is go to my location and everything else is under my control with total freedom.

Edit

I read the rest of your post and I am just like you. In shape, played high school basketball, get along with people but like being alone, love traveling, etc.

 

Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. I was unemployed for a year two yrs ago I understand where your at. I didn't have unemployment and busted my ### everyday tryin to make a dollar to pay bills. The only thing you said that sounded off was about tryin it and if you don't like it move on. In reality that's all you can do but it automatically puts you in a different mind set. Nothing wrong just be careful. Just starting out this job will make or break ya. I know I lost everything I had. But I'm stupid or crazy 1, maybe both, and I stuck with it. Now I'm finally with a good company and starting to get on my feet again. With your attitude, and like you said nothing to lose, I'd hit it wide open. When you get with a company tell them most of what you just said. You're good at sales, sell yourself to them. Look blah blah give me a chance and ill be the hardest working sob you have on the road and prove it. Even at a big company if the dispatcher is good hell take note and when he/she sees it won't be long til you're making big money. Just take your time and get everything right and good luck.

 

That was like reading about myself lol. You will do fine. Come on out here and see some stuff. If you don't mind getting your hands and clothes a little dirty I highly recommend flatbed. Way more entertaining.

 

I agree. Harder days and can look like a coal miner at the end of a load. Lol but I seen a few interesting loads. Best was military. Lol got lost at Fort Knox.

 

Sounds like you have already decided if it is something you want to try. Find a school in your area and maybe you can qualify for a grant or a loan. If that does not work for you call a few of the companies that provide training.

 

Go for it, you sound like a good candidate for OTR.

 

Thank you for the feedback everyone. I'm leaning more and more towards doing this.

My only issue now is that I pretty much would have to find a company that would pay for my training and CDL. I have nothing right now, my credit is horrible and I have no one to borrow from.

I've read so many bad things about going this route, but is it really that bad if you have no other option? I mean, being "owned" by a company for a year in exchange for them paying for me to get into the business seems like a fair deal to me.

Has anyone who has gone this route, recommend a good company to go through? The only company that I've seen advertise in my area is PAM, and I've read a few good things about them, but a lot more bad things.

Any advice on getting started would be welcomed. Thanks again.

 

i guess what i say wouldnt matter but im sorta in same boat, i cant afford too quite my job now as most apps say, nope not gonna happen, i understand there reason tho, but im not quiting my job , then go trucking with a trainer for a couple weeks, then pull us in yard and tell me i'm fired , due too there error in there paperwork dept , could told me that before i quite my job, and at my age it very hard too get a job, so there goes my apt and storage, everything,, so what i did , grab a blank piece of paper, drawed out everything on paper, so far just too go too any trucking job, i need at lest $250 saved up mim, too eat on while in school and once in trainer truck i need a anthor $345 if we go too ny city and all them tolls roads and bridges, yes that one trainer made me pay all them , while he sleep away, well pased out more like it, but i got the load there on time, then once he found i had money , i saved up, he was hitting on me everyday too get money for too eat on, i just said nope and made sure i hid it well , while away from the truck, but what did i know , i was just starting out, so get your paper out , draw a line and mark one box were my goels are and when i would too be in 4 years as a set goel.