Why I Decided NOT To Become A Trucker

I got my CDL earlier this year so I could work in the oil fields of Texas. I was with my family looking for work in Corpus Christi when I met an older trucker who took a shine to my little boy. He let him climb in the cab and play for a while. When I told him I just got my CDL and was looking for a driving job he frowned. "Don't go over the road. You won't know him" he said as he looked at my son. Like the OP, my son is my life. We've found a good compromise for now. While I'm gone for 14 or more hours most days, I get to see my wife and son everyday. Unfortunately my wife has to take care of all the appointments, school, etc, but we couldn't be much happier at how things have worked out so far. We'll do this for a few more years, save $ like crazy, then move somewhere with mountains and water.

 

Bwahahahaha. You should write a self help book and share your secrets!

 

Seriously, you can't save up like $3000 to pay for school?

 

Thanks for your input. It was wise and well thought out and, if I may add, taken to heart.
I am retiring in November, whether I can afford too or not and it's much to do with many of your observations. I missed watching my kid grow up for a variety of reasons including not being home much and a pretty bitter and emotional divorce (for me... she remarried pretty quickly then moved to New Zealand without saying a word to Dad about it). Three years later, when she returned (and my Son was 5), I hit her with a violation of court visitation suit. It goes on, and on so I'll end this now but you get the idea.
Being a truck driver is a thankless job. You're wrong if you're early, punished if your late... dispatchers don't want excuses or rationale... all they want are results.
I'll probably keep driving part time but, I need to have a life before I die and all I can remember is that all those years my Father worked several jobs to keep food on our family table and a roof over our heads were lost within one year of his own retirement... he died.
All you guys and gals that are working towards retirement need to realize, you aren't living right now... you're working to reach an end that may never come.
Start living and start prioritizing what you really need. I don't even watch TV anymore because I don't think cable/fios or any show is worth the over $150/mo I'm paying for it. If I'm watching TV, it's because I'm bored - now that I don't have it, I do something.

OH... BTW,... if you find my comments offensive or snarky... if you think I have an attitude... please get over it. ALL TRUCKERS HAVE AN ATTITUDE.

 

Was this all you took away from his post?

 

Its important to note that the OP made his decision while employed in another industry. The decision becomes a lot tougher for someone who is unemployed with no prospects whatsoever.

 

Driving otr works for some and not for others. I have known drivers who's wives have told me that had it not been for him being away so much their marriage would not have survived. I have also known some who have told me that if they had stayed otr that their marriage would not have survived. If a marriage is strong then otr should not break you up. If there are already problems then being apart could make things worse. There is no question that if you have children you will miss ball games and other events in their lives. You will also make a good living and be able to provide for them if you drive otr. For some, driving otr is a way for many to earn an above average income without having a college degree. Many workers have been displaced with this economy and trucking is a way for them to provide for their families.

 

Bob,
I applaud you for not doing the cdl school/sell your soul to some scumbag company for $500 a week for a year crap that a lot of people are doing these days.
You have made a wise and thoughtful choice.
Driving a truck can be a good living, but if somebody starts out that way they are grist for the mill, so to speak, and it usually ends badly.
Good for you for NOT making yourself into a victim!
now back to our regularly scheduled programming-" C.R. England ruined my life" or " I can't believe I took a job that only pays me .25cpm!!!!"

 

How would that be the only thing I took away from his post? It's actually the only thing that doesn't make any sense. He talks about getting a company to pay for his training in exchange for a contract, and then getting screwed in the process. I was just wondering since he already has a job why he couldn't put away $3000 or so for school as to avoid the entire next couple paragraphs entirely.

Instead of going through all of that, it would have been more efficient to consider family issues first and foremost and avoid all of the other head wringing. And really, if he did want to drive and get away from the industry he is in, it would only take a minimum 1 year (maybe 6 months but unlikely) sacrifice away from his family before getting a local job and home every night.

Overall though it just sounds like he should stay where he is at.