Please help...I don't see how this is a good career

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by cavigu, Oct 19, 2010.

  1. delta5

    delta5 Road Train Member

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    Sep 9, 2010
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    Im just curious, what did the original poster's husband do before he became a truck driver?
     
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  3. HoosierHunter

    HoosierHunter Light Load Member

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    Walmart drivers rank right there with Buster Brown,Fedex,Conway, and they are not union.
     
  4. cavigu

    cavigu Bobtail Member

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    He has flopped around a lot and has not had a career yet in his life (we got married while we were both still in college). He has firefighter certifications and some college credits. He has worked at a variety of places and has changed his career path several times...physical ed teacher, firefighter, police officer and now he is pursuing trucking. We got engaged at 21 yrs old and married young when we were both barely 22 yrs old. Had our 1st baby at 23 yrs old, so it has been hard for us to finish schooling and it has been hard on him feeling pressure to provide.
     
  5. leanright

    leanright Medium Load Member

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    Well it sounds like he's trying to figure himself out which is normal only now he has a family to take care of. Give him all the support you can and after he drives for a year he can make more money .,.maybe,....depending on several factors like his safety record, company, etc..
     
  6. cavigu

    cavigu Bobtail Member

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    I would like to clarify I do not care about him making a lot of money I just think it is crappy he has to be away so much and the pay does not reflect the hours he will be spending away from home. It just seems like there are other jobs he could do earning around 30k/year and be working 40hrs week instead of earning 30k/year and working 70hrs week...just seems like he should get paid more for those kind of hours.
     
  7. leanright

    leanright Medium Load Member

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    Oct 12, 2010
    phila,pa.
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    Yes your are correct in that the pay could be higher and it should be higher. We basically work for peanuts. After a year he can get a local job and be home every night. Local jobs are usually paid by the hour so that would make more sense. He can go to school for paramedics or e.m.t .. don't they pay pretty good?
     
  8. rebound

    rebound Light Load Member

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    It really helps when people seeking advice let us know where they live. Are you in a metropolitan area, rural, where do live exactly?
     
  9. kdryan

    kdryan A Pleasant Fellow

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    Yeah, and I built a snowman in the middle of Death Valley...
     
  10. wfd336

    wfd336 Bobtail Member

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    Leanright, FF,s and medics make peanuts too. Starting for ff's is like 28,000 to 34,000.
     
  11. LindaLou

    LindaLou Light Load Member

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    If he made less than $30k as a LEO, they are rural. Metropolitan police normally start in the $35-40k range. That's base pay, plus overtime, which there always is in the city.

    My brother, who is an officer in a medium sized city made $50k his first year with overtime and special duty...He was able to live life without working three jobs to support his family.

    OP, if your husband has these talents and skills, would you think of relocating? I understand that quality of life is important with children, but some folks follow the work, instead of lamenting that the work doesn't come to them!

    I agree with another poster that OTR is not the life for a father with children. I understand that many of you have families and do OTR to support them. But! Not so much of what you miss, what do the children miss! This was harder back in the day before cell phones, web cams, etc. It's still no substitue for your loving in person guidance.

    A wife of an OTR driver has to be an outstanding parent. It all falls on her. She becomes a single parent when the man is on the road.

    Way more important for teenage children! Just go to the mall and let me know how many of the hooligans have no father to put a foot in their butt when they act up!
     
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