Is trucking worth it?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Solo Soul, Jun 9, 2021.

  1. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Be prepared for a 'hair follicle drug test.'
    ~
    Avoid any offers for Dollar General/Dollar Tree accounts. Those are challenging even for experienced drivers. Imagine backing a sleeper truck with a 53' trailer, through a parking lot full of cars and then having to unload the trailer with no docks at the stores.
     
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  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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  5. Atlanta trucker

    Atlanta trucker Road Train Member

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    Depends on you ... if your smart and wise trucking can be a fantastic easy job. If your not very smart or wise you will say trucking is a rip off sucky bs job.
     
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  6. Lunatic Fringe

    Lunatic Fringe Medium Load Member

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    Worth it? Can be. It depends on the individual. Now is an EXCELLENT time to get into the industry. Baby boomers are retiring and the young folks have been brainwashed into believing the trucks will drive themselves in X years so they're not interested. Every year there are more people who want more stuff and all that freight has to get somewhere in a truck. Out my truck driving class with 30 graduates only 3 were still driving 8 months later.

    I recommend LTL because:

    They pay you while you train.
    They pay you for ALL the things you do when you're working but not driving.
    You can do it without having to move or train out of state for a month or more.
    The pay and benefits are better than what you'll get from an OTR starter company.
    You can make six figures if you play your cards right.
    Runs are determined by seniority so the sooner you start the sooner you start working up the food chain.

    In Seattle:

    ABF Freight Driver Development Program - City
    FedEx Freight Driver Apprentice - City
    Old Dominion Truck Driver Training Program
    Reddaway Linehaul Driver CDL Academy
    YRC Dock to Driver Program
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2021
  7. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    Land of local
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    Exactly why I recommend LTL. Find a good company and you can stick with them til retirement and have one heck of a retirement deal and 401k by then. Doing LTL p&d is way easier than humping food
     
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  8. cman87

    cman87 Light Load Member

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    Jun 29, 2016
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    Trucking is alright, but if you have the aptitude I think any other skilled trade would be better, especially lifestyle wise.
     
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  9. meechyaboy

    meechyaboy Heavy Load Member

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    Detroit, Michigan
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    I deliver gas and I can tell you there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. The thing about the trucking industry is one you have to like driving. But also you have to find out how you like to do it. More than likely your first gig will be otr pulling for a mid to mega carrier. After your first year 90% of the industry opens up to you after 2 about 99% and after 3 you can have whatever job you want long as you keep your record clean. you have to find what style fits you. Otr/ regional can “get in your blood” but being away from home for long periods of time isn’t for everybody. Local drives some drivers crazy, while some local driver wouldn’t even give regional/otr a thought.. you can absolutely make money both ways.. then you got flatbed , tanker, reefer, ltl, dump truck. Figure out what you’d want in a trucking job. And if you can’t get it as a first gig, try it after a year. There is a “driver shortage” after all....Good luck to you if you do decide to move forward use this site as a tool to learn from our mistakes.
     
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  10. Solo Soul

    Solo Soul Medium Load Member

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    I called Schneider, they said they will discuss trucking schools with me. CDL permit they said is part of the training. They will call me today. Let's see what my options are.
     
  11. Solo Soul

    Solo Soul Medium Load Member

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    Thank you. That's why I am here. To learn from the smart and experienced.
     
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