Employment

First I will say it is both saturated with drivers and slow economy. Now my advice to you would depend on your current situation. If you have solid work and it's just not what you want to do, stay with it and let things pick back up...hopefully. If you do not have a good solid job or it's not stable... what have you got to lose? Go for the trucking. You will be in a better position when things do turn around. But do not expect to make a lot of money. Come in with who you can, make the best of it, get your experience and go from there.

 

Your right there. I worked at a company back in 2000-2002 and we had a guy from California driving for us who was 82 years old. His 61 year old son drove for us also. You would never guess he was 82. It's all he knew. I asked him if he was going to retire and he told me "This is going to sound bad, but I will literally die on the road. I just hope I go alone."

I know what you mean about it lurking in you every time your out there with us. If it's something you really want to do and will make you happy, then why not? You are not getting any younger like you say. I'm only 33, but I did 10.5 years OTR from when I was 21 on up. I thought I found what I loved (and I still do) when I got a job hauling gas being home every night. But things happen and I finish orientation tomorrow and will be back OTR.

I will say trucking is what you make of it. I have a lot of great memories from my previous time on the road. Even though I would rather be home every night and hauling gas, part of me is a little excited to get back out on the road. I would never tell someone not to do what's in their heart. I would say now is not a lucrative time in truck driving. But... it will get better. Do what you feel is best for you and you can't go wrong... right?

 

The problem I see with you is this. Because you haven't been in a combination in two yr, most big companies would want you to attend school again for a refresher, and that means you have to spend thousands which to me isn't worth it. The economy is so bad, and there are so many drivers looking applying for so few jobs that you would be at the bottom of the list.. For now stay where you are, especially if the benefits are that good.. God only know that the benefits in the trucking industry pretty much stinks.. If you really want to get back on the road then look at small mom and pop outfits with 50-150 trucks..

 

I have heard the refers is the way to go right now if you are wanting to get back into the industry. I don't know for sure. Just hear say. Maybe you can take a look at that route.

just my 2 cents

 

The company I drive (drove) for, just shut down. They were in business for more than 50 years, but a banker with a nervous, tight ###, froze their credit, which caused them to go bankrupt.
People that I've been talking to, have told me that many trucking companies are shutting down, not hiring, or laying off. A guy I know, was told he could move to three locations, two of which are in other states, just to keep his job. It was his choice where he wanted to move to, and they wouldn't help him move.
So, I know there are at least 100 drivers looking for a job in my area.