Successfully leaving trucking permanently

I left the industry a couple years ago and absolutely love my new job as an LED video(jumbotrons) tech. I work on the golf circuit and spend two weeks at a time on beautiful golf courses surrounded by wonderful people with positive attitudes. My company leaves me alone and lets me do my job, just the way I like it.

 

All that time I thought he was a former super trucker.. guess I let the badassery of Terminator and Terminator 2 get to me.

 

Im skilled in all manner of things. My very favorite to my dying day is to manage a wheeled front end loader and support a plant feeding it rock and sand. I would do that work with no paycheck. I like it that much it allows me to think in peace.

I can do a little ocean work if i had to. But prefer to stay home. And am doing it. My work years are finished medically, however it's not the be all end all. There are things you can get into to keep busy.

But you will ALWAYS be an American long haul trucker to core of your being. People you meet in the future off the road do not understand or want to be around you. But when you find those of a like feather.... good luck.

 

After 20 years in the industry, I'm ready to leave trucking, be it successfully or not. I've gotten to the point where I just can't stand it anymore. Dealing with traffic, and folks who do some of the dumbest things in front of, or around you. rude shippers/receivers who treat you like the turd they flushed down the toilet earlier that morning, etc.

The biggest thing for me though, and what has finally burned me out, is the erratic scheduling. Start at midnight one day, then 8am the next, then back to 2am, then 6pm. I'm burnt just from changing my sleep schedule every day.

I may be too old (49 years) for some of what I want to do, but right now I'm looking at getting back into golf course maintenance, which is what I did for 10 years before getting into trucking, then taking courses to at least get a certificate, if not an actual degree. With that, I can perhaps (again if I'm not to old) advance into an assistant superintendent, or even head superintendent position on a course or country club.

 

Been doing this for 54 years, I am an old man but in excellent health and run around 15000 miles per month. BUT! If being 82 years old and still with the desire to be a productive citizen and not sit on the porch and die, if I knew another trade or skill and could find an employer to hire me at my age, I would leave trucking in a heart beat. Like some other posters have stated, the traffic, drivers attitude, the regulations, being profiled by the law, and the list goes on and on.

I started driving "professionally" in Feb. of 1963 and I guess I went for 25 years or better, my log book or medical card was never asked for. Compare today! The traveling motorists respected truck drivers, but then truck drivers for the most part back years ago took pride in their driving, their personal appearance, they were there if someone needed help, they were not pushed by "Just in Time". We could leave Charlotte and if it took 2 or 3 days to get to Boston, no one said a word, compare today!

It is another world today and I find it hard to adjust, but still I guess I will keep doing it until I fail the physical. Or come Dec. of this year when ELDs become my guardian angel. Can't function with ELDs with the type of field that I am in.

 

I know 2 people who do the golf course maintenance thing, one in Delaware and the other in N.Carolina. Both of them are wildly successful!

 

That's awesome! Thanks for posting that, it gives my hope a bit of reinforcement!!!

 

I got out of it for good in '04. Started in '90, nothing like when you started but it was fun for me back then. I'd love to do it again with my own truck, but for the reasons you gave plus all of the crap they are putting on trucks now, regulating everything to death, just government involvement period, there is no way i'd do it now. Sad, it's a great career.

 

The one in Delaware has a side business doing landscaping, he is doing crazy money!
Good luck to ya!

 

Thanks!