One thing I have noticed in potential drivers.

That's funny becuase that's what they say overhere.

 

I worked at everything else first. but did want to drive Semi when a kid. Now later in life I am, and I am also loving it!

 

I've always had an itch to be out on the road. I finally got the chance, but I had to get blown up in the process. I was involved in a flash-over in October of 09. I was off work for months, so I hitched a ride with my uncle in law to keep myself busy. It was so nice to just have me and the road for a change. After awhile you just get tired of seeing death and destruction multiple times a day. I figured I had already made it to my 10th year in the fire service industry, it was about time for a change. I have my app in with a couple of companies that provide cdl training and am waiting to hear something.

 

Outlawfireman,
I'm curious, why would you want to change careers to trucking???
The entire industry operates on a .04 profit margin. Trucking companies fail right now at over 1000 per month.Many seasoned professional drivers are out of work, scores of trucks are parked all over this country. There is really no retirement unless your a teamster, who when they retire are so crippled up from 30 years in a freight truck they spend the "golden years" on a couch watching TV. That is if their company doesn't fail and steal the retirement investment.
My brother retired from fire fighting a millionaire at 56 years old. Worked for the federal government as a forest ranger, fire jumper, then a fireman on a military base. Now if he wants to visit the open road he gets in his airplane and views it from 15,000 feet.
Good Luck, hope you find what your looking for.
Someone mentioned a "HUGE" demand for drivers in 2005, I don't remember that. I do remember the slowdown starting then and the scramble to find loads.

 

It's not just trucking affected by a lack of retirement. That is in every profession that is non union. In the next decade or more none of us will have a retirement.

 

I liked trucks as a child(as most do), but had no desire or even thought about driving for a living until I got a yard jockey position(coworkers suggested I try it out) at a large DC. After a year of that, I decided to step it up a notch and try driving long haul. Knowing it might not suit me, I made a promise to myself not to spend any money on schooling to get my CDL. I went to truck driving school on a grant. If I would have found I wasnt eligable, I would not have my CDL and would probally be working on cars(my second love).
Ive been driving since Nov, 07 and still love it as much as my first day behind the wheel. We all contribute to this country's survival and that makes me very proud to be a part of that.

 

You think union members have retirement security ?

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/o...have-underfunded-pension-plans--47162127.html
The above article doesn't report on the Teamster Central States Pension Plan .

http://www.hudson.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=publication_details&id=6308

 

Imagine waking up in a new state every morning, getting to see things most people never get to see. With Idle Air, you can get A/C, heat cable for television. You get to know the folks in your favorite truck stops and shippers, I used to carry an old guitar around with me and had to sing for a few folks before.

Is trucking tough? You bet it is, but you aren't isolated from the country you live in. Fantasy land is gone, this is real. Trucking will put you right in the middle of the real world. It is an honest a living as you can make and it isn't for the weak. Some are not up to the task. I have students that still call me after all these years and they are still out there hauling.

And who in the hell wants to be comfortable? That is like being suited up, on the team and having to watch the game on the sidelines. I can sleep when I die! Put me in the game, let life bruise me up some and let me know I'm alive.

And I am a second generation "fifth wheel baby". My entire family are truckers. Cheer up, get some adventure in your life. You might fall in love with trucking. You might find out that real cowboys are still alive and well. About the only people who fail at trucking are those who give up on it.