honesty needed - considering switch from IT to Trucking

i wish i could have found one like that 10 years ago, i would still be out running interstate and not local hourly now.
to get to the OP, driving is not something most people can do, first off ask yourself.. can you not see your family for 26 days straight per month? are you prepared to not see your children grow up, are you willing to give up your life.. to serve other peoples needs? answer no to any, walk away...

 

I've been out here for years, got off the road to turn wrenches, and came back out to get a break. I would rather turn wrenches, but I needed the break from the constant nagging of my Foreman. Here in a few months, I'll more likely return to wrench turning for I had a life. Driving is all about that freight. Even when home they push for you to drive by cutting your home time short. I am like most drivers out here. I enjoy the drive, just dislike the industry. It isn't what it used to be. That's why there are no real vets out here anymore. Most have driven 3 years or less. They find better opportunities and leave. I don't blame them. I think you will hate it out here after 60 days. Want to get a taste of the road? Rent an RV and take a vacation. Don't come out here unless you really need to. Plus there is a 90% chance you'll end up divorced. Divorce rates are extremely high in this industry. Maybe it's because you can only shower but once every 2 to 3 days?

 

I was in a high tech management and thinking about trucking for some adventure and a little money.
In my research I've concluded why this might not be for me:

1) If you just want to drive a truck cross-country without too much hassle and frustration - trucking isn't right for you.
2) If you don't want to be away from home for weeks at a time, sleeping in a small plastic box and eating truck stop grissle - trucking isn't right for you.
3) If you don't want to work (mostly driving, interspersed with sitting around) for 11 hours a day 7 days a week for 3 weeks at a time and net about $7.50 an hour - trucking isn't for you.
4) If you don't like company politics, kissing ### and other corporate BS - trucking isn't right for you.

Now there are exceptions to this of course. But starting out your first couple of years this is the likely scenerio you will encounter.
While romantic notions of the open road and freedom from the shackles of a soul destroying corporate job can be realized in trucking, it takes WORK and TIME.
The other thing to realize is that it's a dangerous profession.

 

One of the most dangerous professions in the USA for sure!

 

Speaking from MY OWN experience...

You may as well join the military

Same thing. Theoretically. Minus the OBVIOUS differences.

 

Please explain your logic...


You must have had some really bad trucking experiences I'm guessing.

 

First, get free of all debt. Then, go for it. That way if it turns out that you hate trucking, you haven't really lost anything, and will likely have had the most awesome experience evah, good or bad. Life is far too short to wake up every morning, trudge into an office, and want to eat the barrel of gun by break time. You don't want to go through the rest of your life saying "Geez, I sure wish I would have..."

 

I was being sarcastic. But to the OP get an RV you can take weeks vacation and go explore and have no boss on your ###. Then get back to your normal life when the vacation is over.

 

Hey man if you really have the itch to try it then go for it! You only live once and you don't want to be on your death bed saying " I shoulda, coulda, woulda"! With that being said, just realize you aren't going to see the wife or family but a handful of times a year. Don't know your marital position but maybe this is what you want or need. Like you said you know where you stand with your career and you know if you can get back into if all goes wrong with the trucking idea. I can tell you that you will no where make close to what you are making now and will be very lucky to obtain even half of what you are making now, but money isn't everything.

If the lifestyle doesn't interest you then I highly advise you go no further. The lifestyle part of it is going to be 90% of the job out there and the toughest part to get used too! Its possible to land a local gig but highly unlikely as a new driver until you have made it past your one year mark of over the road driving. So don't waste your time and money if you are committed to going over the road. Most likely will have to drive a year out there before you can get in line for a local job, especially in this economy. Keep in mind that just about every driver out there would rather have a local job! On top of all that, local work doesn't pay crap!

So think long and hard about it before making that leap and take the time to do your research and talk with the spouse and family. If home time is going to be a factor then it really won't be worth it because the drivers that need to be home all the time usually aren't given the good loads or lengthy miles. They will usually utilize you to make all the pick ups and deliveries for the drivers who are willing to stay out there.

Good luck and welcome to the forum....