Why did you get into trucking?

I was hungry, I was broke, I had a newborn, and a wife that was unwilling to allow me to accept a job in another state. 12 months out of college.

I've since gotten rid of the wife. And stayed in trucking, rather than going back into my choosen path of education, Which is now considered a minimum wage job in most markets.

I have 2 upside down college degrees. I wonder how many others have gotten degrees that aren't worth the paper they're printed on?

 

How many got conned by CDL schools and have useless CDL's because the trucking industry really isn't recession proof as schools claim ?
A degree isn't useless . Knowledge and credits can be applied toward other career pursuits .

 

Yes, but I have my pride. I refuse to teach others for a dead end job. And I refuse to enter the "teaching" environment since they don't teach much of anything any more.

Actually, I'm not whining about the degrees. I like driving a truck, better than anything else I've ever done. Where else can I whine all day, without getting fired? I guess I could run for an elected office.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what is an upside down college degree?

IMO, Just because you don't work in the field your degree is in doesn't mean it's worthless. There is an ebb and flow to life and most careers Just because trucking is in a lull now doesn't mean it will be 3 years from now. Ditto teaching, landscape architecture, etc.

 

One that came from a field that paid $100k or more a year in the past, that now pays minimum wage. Yet it's still offered in most colleges.

One that has been 90% automated, negating the use of most personel. What personel remain (locally), work at greatly reduced wages.

Another that has farmed the work out to Overseas firms and H2B visa holders for 1/3 of past pay scale. If I want a job, I have to work for less too.

Why would you consider a 4 year degree for burger flipper pay?? Seems like a waste of money.

That's what I consider upside down. Wasting 10K - 40K for an education, that allows you to make $20k a year, if you're lucky.

Yet people do it all the time.

Trucking has always paid the bills. And the pay, as bad as it is. Has always been stable.

 

O.K. , you and others managed to get in and get a job a while back . But more drivers are losing jobs every day . Are wannabes any better off because they only waste $3,000 to $5,000 for a CDL that MIGHT earn them $20,000 a year ? You are right to hold a job you enjoy . But truck drivers are a dime a dozen in the eyes of employers . Good educators are worth their weight in gold even if they aren't paid what they are worth . Their contributions to society are invaluable .

 

No arguement from me on that issue. But the screw will turn, wages will come back, albeit years down the road. Some of these starving newbs will stay. Most will return to their normal lives, once the economy recovers.

Then you'll see them in forums such as this, the next downturn. Whining about how they can't get a job, even though they have a CDL and 3 years experience, from a decade ago. You can see that here now.

Now... back to the thread....Why did you get into trucking ?

 

My father drove trucks and heavy equipment . I operated heavy equipment and got into driving at the age of 23 when an O/O friend lost his license for a DUI in his 4 wheeler and needed someone to drive his truck so he wouldn't lose it . Road construction was slowing down and my kids were reaching school age so I wanted to quit relocating every 2 or 3 years when construction projects ended . My 2 sons are heavy equipment operators . The older one will be getting his CDL . No , he isn't going to school , and yes , he has a good paying job waiting . He will stay with his current employer . Contrary to what CDL schools claim , not everyone can be a truck driver . Trainers here have told of sending unqualified graduates out of the truck and home . It takes a combination of talent , perception , coordination , and common sense to make it as a driver . Schools will give you as many attempts as needed to pass tests so you can graduate and pay the tuition . You don't get repeated attempts in the real world . You mess up and your short career is over .

 

My father had a truck repair shop and i worked for him but was impressed with the truck drivers and equipment ( back then the drivers were considered road heroes first responders to accidents, first to stop to lend a hand etc.) I wanted to experience the open road, see the country and of course be one of the last cowboys. I still stop and offer help when i see the situation warrants it, I still find places i haven't been before. And i meet some very like-able people i had not met before.