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Thinking Out loud

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ChicagoGal, Jan 19, 2011.

Page 1 of 6
  1. Jan 19, 2011 #1
    ChicagoGal

    ChicagoGal Bobtail Member

    16
    8
    Jan 19, 2011
    0
    Hi Everyone,

    I've been thinking of late about truck driving and stumbled onto the forums tonight when researching the idea. I currently drive a mini coach - 35 ft and enjoy my job/employer for the most part but the winters have financially drained me. I do not have my air brakes, just a cdl "c" with pass endorsement.

    (and because I am just aimlessly thinking out loud here)

    I am wondering where to go from here, what is the next level for me. Trucking seems like it would be a different ballpark, but for some reason I am entertaining the thought, if only briefly. Thing is, I make decent money now (when there are steady hours) at 18 hourly plus tip. I am one of the highest paid hourly drivers for this market, I drive local, have a great boss, have a perfect driving record... so I am not destitute by any means. But the winters hurt, there are no benefits and I think I have reached my cap.

    This is for the seasoned drivers... would you do it all over again even if you had the chance to do something else? While money is an important aspect to me, it is not the most important thing. Time with my family is also important to me. I am just caught on what kind of driving I want to do next and where I can advance. In some ways it would be nice to travel, see more of the country but I would feel different if I had to do it everyday. Sigh.

    Thank you for letting me share that!
     
    ChicagoGal, Jan 19, 2011
    ChicagoGal, Jan 19, 2011
    #1
    Truckernurse and Saddle Tramp Thank this.
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  3. Jan 19, 2011 #2
    Truckernurse

    Truckernurse Light Load Member

    85
    36
    Sep 21, 2010
    Jacksonville, Florida
    0
    Youbetchur buns I'd do it again! In fact, I'm looking at an Apr/May time frame to get refreshed and back on the road! And thanks for your thoughts. Welcome to the fun bunch!:yes2557:
     
    Truckernurse, Jan 19, 2011
    Truckernurse, Jan 19, 2011
    #2
    PurpleKW, just lil me and ChicagoGal Thank this.
  4. Jan 19, 2011 #3
    SheepDog

    SheepDog Road Train Member

    3,480
    2,084
    Nov 30, 2008
    Sand Lake, MI
    0
    I left a career of 14 years, making $20.50 an hour, 40hrs guarenteed a week with about 4 hours of OT a month or more but usually 4. I would not change a thing.

    Welcome to the forrum....
     
    SheepDog, Jan 19, 2011
    SheepDog, Jan 19, 2011
    #3
    PurpleKW, just lil me, ChicagoGal and 1 other person Thank this.
  5. Jan 20, 2011 #4
    rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

    1,393
    673
    Apr 17, 2007
    Pacific Northwest
    0
    I would do it over again if I had the chance. In hindsight I would have taken a different road than the one I took but looking back, life is always like that. If something else would have came up when I started driving, it's hard to say if I would have stayed the course or tried something different, guess it would have depended on what the something else was.
     
    rockee, Jan 20, 2011
    rockee, Jan 20, 2011
    #4
    ChicagoGal Thanks this.
  7. Jan 20, 2011 #5
    Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

    3,917
    2,012
    Mar 30, 2006
    ova-hereee
    0
    no...absolutely NO would i do this crap again.....i should have stayed in the repair field and made MORE money, better benefits, home daily, no traffic, no DOT, no construction, no waiting in lines, no truck stop food, no truck stop parking, no rest area parking, no rude people at the shippers/receivers, no time for a decent nap, not enough sleep, not being able to get proper medical attention, having to deal with constant rules, regulations and people who are NOT truckers telling US WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING, people making laws or lobbying D.C. all for "the better of private citizens", BULL-SHIOT CRAP we have to put up daily to contend with.....would i want to do this all over again....


    does this drive home a point or two...??

    for YOU, since you have "motor-coach" type of experience, get your air brake endorsement, and "Go Greyhound"......(or other bus companies) regular runs, maybe tips, maybe free food at the rest stops and Casino's......and you get to drive the high speed lanes and cops don't bother you.....and THAT I DO NOT understand as well.......as nearly every highway, there are signs that say, "NO trucks, trailers or buses in left lane"......
     
    Rerun8963, Jan 20, 2011
    Rerun8963, Jan 20, 2011
    #5
    heyns57, ChicagoGal and REDD Thank this.
  8. Jan 20, 2011 #6
    rambler

    rambler Road Train Member

    1,358
    582
    Nov 5, 2007
    0
    You're making good money, have ample time off, really like the job and who you work for......don't even consider leaving what you have.
     
    rambler, Jan 20, 2011
    rambler, Jan 20, 2011
    #6
    heyns57 and ChicagoGal Thank this.
  9. Jan 20, 2011 #7
    walleye

    walleye Road Train Member

    3,028
    4,306
    Aug 21, 2007
    Land of Cheese
    0
    Rerunns advice is spot on,.

    And being in Chicago I would think that would put you in a good "lane" with a company like Greyhound,....


    Oh I almost forgot,...............Go Packers!!!!!,.............:biggrin_25522:
     
    walleye, Jan 20, 2011
    walleye, Jan 20, 2011
    #7
    ChicagoGal Thanks this.
  10. Jan 20, 2011 #8
    Bumpy

    Bumpy Road Train Member

    6,527
    5,242
    Jan 27, 2009
    New Ulm,MN
    0
    Ditto what walleye said..,plus another,-GO PACKERS!!:biggrin_25525:
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2011
    Bumpy, Jan 20, 2011
    Bumpy, Jan 20, 2011
    #8
    walleye and ChicagoGal Thank this.
  11. Jan 20, 2011 #9
    Zuma

    Zuma Light Load Member

    148
    64
    Dec 26, 2010
    0
    Keep in mind that there's endless whining on this site about the miserable life of OTR truckers, but that's only one job of many that a CDL holder could consider.
     
    Zuma, Jan 20, 2011
    Zuma, Jan 20, 2011
    #9
    ChicagoGal Thanks this.
  12. Jan 20, 2011 #10
    fulgrwnmn

    fulgrwnmn Light Load Member

    276
    54
    Sep 17, 2008
    whitehouse,oh
    0
    I didn't agree much with Rerun untill now..............He's right on the money!.....and btw.........GO PACKERS, been a fan of them..umm(showin my age), since Bart Starr,and Good Ol' Vince
     
    fulgrwnmn, Jan 20, 2011
    fulgrwnmn, Jan 20, 2011
    #10
    ChicagoGal Thanks this.
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