Is it really worth it?

Ok I'm 23 I wrk construction now I make 16/hr and on average with 40 hours a week have a $550 take home check unless I work ot which is usually quite often sometimes up to 65 plus hours, anyway I've been thinking about trucking and is it really worth the pay? Not being home etc. I'm about to have. Baby and the only way I really see if it's worth it is if I made 900+ a week always...now I know your not going to make the kind of money out the gate but this is why I ask. I currently have a company vehicle and phone that I can use whenever and for whatever I want as well but do not receive any benefits yet. My question is basically is it worth me switching a career and being gone and technically working so many hours for the money I would earn? Have a buddy that just started at knight and talk to him all the time and would like to do team one day possibly with him but only if I could do my 30k solo then go right into team with at least being home twice a week. Is it possible? Is it worth it or should I keep dreaming and stay where I'm at until I'm a supervisor until I can and will make the same kind of money, but just might take me longer but be home every night in my bed?

 

Driving hazmat/tankers you can make over $900.00 a week beginning immediately after all training is completed. You and your buddy can team with some of those companies also.

If you don't want tankers, then teaming with Old Dominion or US Express you can achieve your financial goals. US Express shows they hire teams out of Tucson.

Put your location on your profile so we know the hiring area you live in.

Tucson, AZ..?

Stevens Transport (tanker div. hires in AZ)

• Earn up to $40K first year!
• Earn up to $70K third year!
• No Experience Needed!
• Paid CDL Training!
• Short 17 Day Program!

 

If I was in your situation...I'd Keep at it, with the intention of being a contractor. Money can be made everywhere, if you know what your doing. With a baby on the way, play it safe. You're not broke, but you will be for a while when you get into that truck. Know plenty of guys in construction that do side jobs on weekends, helping neighbors put carpet in ect. Some extra cash.

 

Hi Igo, people that know me here, know I will try my darndest to keep someone in your situation out of a truck. While I think the money is there, it will most likely ruin your relationship and you will miss a lot of your kids growing up. I was a local-type driver, but the hours were terrible. Up at midnight, didn't get home until the afternoon, had to be in bed by 6 pm to do it again. It ruined my marriage, and missed a lot of activities after supper. I'm not saying it doesn't work for some, but generally, truck drivers have the highest divorce rate in the country, so no, it's not worth it.

 

Just keep doing what you are doing. Trucking is a rough life.

 

Stay where your at. Family decent living. The cab of a truck has nothing to offer to make up time missed with your family, stay home.

 

The above is not going to happen

 

Stay stay stay. Home time, family time, healthier, live longer. Many reasons to stay out of trucking. You can take just about any job and work your way up the ladder. My brother worked at a lumber supplier for 30 years. He's doing better than most truck drivers. However, you can do very good driving in the ltl world. I'm home 16 hours a day and off weekends holidays and do over $70,000. I work at one of the lower paying ltl carriers.

 

Stay where your at. See if your contractor can train you for low boy work or dump trlr, heavy equip surveying etc,etc. With baby on way transition would be tough. Trucking isnt what it used to be. Salary varies wk to wk., nvr home,gotta pull teeth just to get home.
Take some courses, but stay out of truck!!!! Maybe good local driving job.
Best of luck w/new baby and career. Just not out here!!!

 

As usual, I'm the only optimist posting.

When drivers tell you not to do the trucking career, look at the years they've been doing it and ask yourself why they're still doing it.

Oh, My my! Trucking has been really good for me and my family and could have been even better had I had a forum like this to glean information from. I wasted too many years in my early career & still came out on top! I knew I made a good choice of a career, but had problems getting any positive guidance; sure wish I'd had a forum like this way back when!