18Yr Should/Would you have started trucking?

If I was 18 again, would I go into trucking? No I would not. I will probably opt to be an electrician or something like that. They make about $200 an hour these days and you can be your own boss. With very little risk and lots of upside potential. That said, I don’t regret it, I went into trucking in my late 40s. After a change in life and I’ve done pretty darn good at it. It’s a decent way to make an honest living, But if you work, OTR, you better have some gypsy blood in you or it will haunt you. No I take that back you better have a lot of gypsy blood in you.

 

If you should decide to proceed with the trucking option -- to GREATLY FACILITATE your start to success, seriously consider/implement the following into your life:

• Keep your driving record squeaky clean (you may not care much about that 15+ mph over ticket -- but the better carriers out there will care -- A LOT )
• Keep your criminal record clean (e.g., avoid those bar fights and the related assault charges); stealing stuff is a very bad hobby (you can steal hearts/kisses all you want )
• Google/study up on the requirements/criteria required to get a TWIC card, and/or a hazmat endorsement. Those are usually associated with the most profitable freight/loads. Carriers like to specify those in part to weed out a lot of drivers (for those with the cleanest backgrounds), &/or to access restricted areas
• If you want to start out/spend some time doing regional/OTR -- stay single, AND CHILDLESS (I never said you shouldn't date, though)
• If you want to start out/spend some time doing regional/OTR -- don't buy a house
  
• If you want to start out/spend some time doing regional/OTR -- learn how to cook/prep good food in a sleeper cab
  
• Get forklift certified; then get forklift experience with a forklift job nearby
• BONUS POINTS -- if you can later find a driving teammate that is very good, very safe and very compatible (you drive days, he/she drives nites -- or vice-versa)
• Get some honest driving experience BEFORE you become a fleet owner/manager

I could go on further....but just the above will take you A LOT CLOSER TO SUCCESS.

-- L

 

What does your family say?
They are your true mentors whereas the internet is not.

 

I can't answer this as no one here really can, we don't know you or who your family is.

My advice?

Seriously learn the business end by your family, if you want to drive, then drive but work with them.

 

If I coulda started driving at 18 and skipped college I woulda, but I couldn't. But because of college I met my wife.

The business side never interested me. I always just wanted to drive and was content driving for someone. I never wanted my own truck. I just wanted to drive. There was always something intriguing about waking up in a different state each day, and seeing places I only heard or dreamed about. I have a restless soul and the heart of a traveler. I always love seeing what's around the next corner.

 

I’d look into some other trade , as mentioned , like an Electrictian .
Takes about five years working for someone else to get your own state license , but it’s basically a license to print money .

no other trade besides trucking has so many people looking over your shoulder or so many people with their hand out to steal what you worked for .

unless you like living in a truck and being treated like something stick to the bottom of a shoe .

 

Learn everything you can about the back office with our family.
After you reach 21 you can decide to stay in the office -or- drive while keeping a presence in company management

 

Stay away from girls, they’ll ruin everything

That’s all I got..