Is it a good time start "truckin"

You heard right. This isn't a good time. I don't know if it will ever be good again. If you have a family, and other obligations and just need a paycheck, run far and fast from trucking. But if you are by yourself, healthy, have a clean driving/criminal record, and don't mind putting a BS target on your back, go for it. Companies want the experienced guys out and the new guys in to save cost on the only other thing they can. Labor. For most companies, they don't care about you. They care more about their POS truck. It takes a special kind of person to be a trucker. I'll probably get slammed for this, but you have to be a sheep to drive a truck. I went on what I decided (after) was my last trucking interview, I am getting in to school for something else. The decision came after the trucking company owner directly told me "Other then what lane you need to be in, I don't want you making a single decision". Right then I saw it clearly, for me anyway. I payed out of pocket to get my license, wasnt cheap. It's my driving record, my freedom, and ultimately my life out there. I can't work in an industry where I'm not allowed to make any decisions regarding my actions, yet I am held fully accountable for the decisions that I didn't make. Like, running in that last hundred miles with no more time on the clock, etc. Not that I've done that........but you get the idea.

 

I really think its up the individual. I started about a year ago and am doing fine. There's plenty of opinions, guidance, help, etc. Freight is picking up from last year and I believe will continue in that direction. Not sure if you want to go company route or O/O, but both can be profitable under the right conditions.

Good luck.

 

to many negative super truckers out there...listen...driving is not too bad as long as you work for a company that actually understands downtime. And if you have a wife/girlfriend that is understanding and who will stay faithful while your away. If you are a familyman...being away on the road plays mind games with you regarding your family back home. You should be ok dude.

 

You mean there are to many exp drivers that has seen how co's have had to cut corners to survive. Which it is the driver who ends up losing pay, bennies and bonuses and perks that once was plentiful. Even good co's has cut starting pay when you sign on.

Co's have went out of business left and right. Some abandoning drivers and leaving them hung out with no way home. The driver pool is over flooded with drivers. Negative? I guess you have not heard the news in the last couple of years. Drivers that have been around awhile are making less than they did driving 20 years ago.... How about a pep talk now telling guys how some are negative. Many lost everything they had.

 

Well I can say with first hand knowledge that JB cut back on managers pay, perks, bonus', etc so that they would not have to cut back on the drivers.

Pay has stayed the same although miles may have dropped a bit. However, the company has re-instituted some of the perks that they took away and freight seems to be looking up atleast for the time being.

It's a gamble either way you go I suppose regardless of who you work for. What you need to understand is that trucking is the first to see and "feel" the recessions but also the upticks.

My wife works for Lowes and they are still struggling to maintain a profit. Their hours have been cut and continue to be cut depending on the weekend weather. She has told me that some days it is like a ghost town in there.

I have a best friend that was a store manager for RiteAid - until he got layed off late last year. He was able to find another job after a few months but I guess my point is that everyone has suffered - not just trucking - like I said, we are just the first to feel the effects.

I've been in this industry for a little over 15 yrs now and none of are going to get rich out here. I've been able to provide for my family and enjoy a little bit of life. I have days that I absolutely hate this industry and others that I am so proud to be a part of it. It's a rollercoaster ride and its certainly not for everyone.

 

If you do decide to drive truck OTR it is a life style not a job. Don't think you will be home just because the company says you will be reality is with most companies you dont get home much. This is going to sound like a foolish thing but remember you are a truck driver and that means all you will be doing is driven. Or hurry up and wait. If you are the kind of person who likes to be alone for long periods of time, and dont have much road rage. You may want to think about it. But if you have a family and want to see them every week well this may not be a career move for you. If you look threw this forum you will see allot of positive and negative things said. way them out to your personality. And life style. You can make a decent living. But wont get rich. The economy is affecting all jobs now. I have friends driven some are being affected and some are not. I am not driven at the moment. Made a bad decision and mest up my drivers license. I will be able to get back out there eventually. I am one of them who loved my job out there. I have no family so home time was not a issue. Well hope this helps some good luck with your decision.

 

Hi, this my opion on trucking, like everyboby else i wanted too jump in the truck and go, good idea after bad, now that i work in a warehouse now, now i relize i did it backwards, and now i know what warehouse people go thru with rude, potty mouth truckers, sorry but i had too say it, so my opion is , i belive if you want too drive trucks, you should first work in a warehouse type settings,for 1-3 years, then go drive trucks, then youll be understand what they go thru and when warehouse tell you too wait your turn en you get all potty mouth with them , then they tell your going too end of list or about 12 hour wait time , youll know why, but like said this just my opion, Everett.