Starting trucking for 6 months and then leaving

If I were you I'd get a job with a local construction company since you already have plenty of construction experience. Driving dumps doesn't require laboring so you won't have the physical stress you're worried about.

 

If you get 6 months experience, then leave the industry for 2 years, it'll be tough to get back in without a refresher course at minimum. If trucking is your long term plan, I'd just stick with that. The other job is short term. At least in trucking, while you may not get rich, you'll make steady money.

 

Pointblank...

The "mega" to which you're referring (that does tanker) is very likely to be Schneider.

I'm a Schneider veteran. I spent almost 2 years there.

In some ways...I'm a bit like you -- I got sick of working in an office environment....becuz of the drama, backstabbing, nepotism...& the politics. It was also too repetitive for me.

Having a CDL is cool -- in part because it opens up A LOT of potential job possibilities for you. So that's arguably a good move for you.

If you go do CDL work...& do OTR...quit after only 6 months....& then come back to OTR work, later....carriers will still very much view you as a rookie (because you still are). Your OTR pay -- & job opportunities -- will then also be as such.

The dump truck driving idea given above is a good one -- especially if you want to maintain any kind of real life (& family) away/apart from a truck. Those jobs are basically 9 - 5ish, home-daily jobs...for the most part.

If instead, you go OTR...say, "goodbye"...to any kind of normal life outside of & away from a truck. You will bounce from one pickup & delivery to another...& spend most of your off duty time in either truckstops, &/or rest areas...for weeks at a time. Home time is also usually pretty skimpy, really.

Modern day life in many truckstops has to be seen...& experienced first-hand....to be believed. It is basically like living in a sardine can -- VER-RY CROWDED!!! Especially up in the northeast...& in/near many urban areas.

In short -- for most people who do it...it's not really a healthy lifestyle.

Ask the construction dump truck contacts if they will hire you right out of CDL school...& if not...what other previous experience they want you to have, first.

-- L

 

Don’t waste your time if you are planning on leaving in 6 months

 

There's a good chance you won't get hired after school. Industry is slow. If you take 2 years off with only 6 mos experience you will have a hard time finding a job.

Why do so many newbies want to get a CDL and leave before they start? Save your time & money.

 

Better to ask the questions up front.

 

^^^^
I agree.

OP, your thinking is off. You are asking about a value in 6 months. Simple answer is NO. Most training companies are going to require you to ride with a trainer AGAIN if you decide to come back to trucking. It’s like dropping out of kindergarten.

“But Six, what if I hate trucking?”

Too emotional. The opposite of love is indifference. I am indifferent. It’s work, and I need work.

 

Agreed. I never see anyone on other sites asking about completing welder, HVAC, carpenter, other trades or even professions and then move overseas or go on a 2 year vacation. I think it speaks to the low interest in the job which is reflected in 80-90% leaving early.