should I become a truck driver

OTR and regional trucking, very often kills relationships sooner or later. Trucking is a lot of hours working for "the man" that only translates to "so-so" money. Trucking has many many many cons, and few pros. Don't know for certain, but I suspect 6 out of 10 who graduate CDL school and try trucking in the real world, hang it up within 5 months. if not sooner. It's not for everyone but if it's always been a "dream" of your since you were a kid ... maybe there's something there to pursue further. Research, research, research before you make the initial commitments.

Many truckers maintain a wife and a relationship with kids that seems to work, although most admit they missed too much of their kids growing up phases and wish they could have spent more time at home, somehow. You can expect to put in 12 hours a day, 6-7 days a week actually "working" or driving, or otherwise responsible for your equipment/load ... pay? anywhere from $600 week to $1200 week, depending on where you end up, the freight they have, the pay plan they offer, the general economy that month ... the gross $$$'s week will change (perhaps wildly from week to week) but the hours waiting, working, or driving will always remain constant near 70-80 hours a week. Nothing much worse then having 2 days to move 700 miles, ending up in a dead market, flooded with trucks and waiting 36 hours before next load (when you didn't even need to do a 70 hour reset.) and sadly this tends to happen a lot in this permanently depressed economy.

 

STexan is right. OTR, tends to kill relationships. THough, some of the smaller local only gigs aren't too bad, if you can get one.

 

That set up sounds pretty good compared to breaking your back landscaping all week, so you feel so tired you can barley enjoy your nights off because you can't hardly move. Plus you make a decent check.

 

My wife and I have been married over 31 years. I traveled before we were married and have never really stopped. We have a good relationship. I know other owner operators and drivers with many years over the road who are still married. If you already have a difficult relationship then being away can sometimes harm your relationship. Being on the road will not destroy a relationship that is built on trust and respect. I have known drivers who have a better relationship because of the traveling. Others may blame the road for the failure of their relationship. Personally, I don't think the road has much to do with it when it comes to whether a relationship survives. It has to do with personalities and whether both are committed to making their relationship work. It takes both to make a relationship survive.

Being away can make it difficult to be home for special events. This isn't the only profession that makes it difficult to be home for some special occasions. Traveling salesmen and military are a couple of other professions that come to mine. We do try to work around those occasions. I have managed to be home for most anniversaries, Christmas, Thanksgiving and other important family events, but have missed a few along the way. It is a matter of planning. I think that I missed one Christmas since my wife and I have been married. In my case, I have usually owned my own truck or run my authority for most of my driving career and that can also make a difference.

This can be a rewarding career and lifestyle. Some find the adjustment to being on the road away from family and friends to be too difficult. Others find it refreshing and it seems to stimulate their relationship while keeping it fresh. This has never been a 9-5 job. It takes a certain personality to do it for a lifelong career.

You can earn an above average living with minimal training. You are not likely to get rich in this business, but you can be comfortable. The first year will be the most difficult. Many do leave the first year for a number of reasons. For some it is the lifestyle adjustment. Pay is somewhat low for the first few weeks or months during your initial training period. After the training period you will begin to see a dramatic rise in your personal income. If you enjoy spending time with your own thoughts, then this is a profession that you may enjoy. If you are the type of individual who needs constant companionship, then you may want to consider another type of career.

The hours can be long and irregular. Those who thrive on the lifestyle prefer the different schedules. I would not encourage anyone to pursue this career without the support of their spouse and loved ones left at home. There will be times when it will be difficult to be on the road while your family is at home. It could be difficult for all parties concerned. This is a career like no other. We don't punch a clock, but are controlled by it nonetheless. There are hassles, like with any other profession. You will get out of what you put into it. Their will be challenges along the way. You will learn to deal with whatever comes along while on the road.

 

Research the crap out of the industry first. Make sure you have a fairly un-rosy view of what you are about to take on (if you go for it, that is). OTR trucking is more of a life style than a job. A lot of people would not do anything else and a lot hate every day that they have to be in their cab. It can be extremely hard on your home life and otr truckers consistently have among the hightest divorce/breakup rates of any industry.

Of course if you have no kids and you and your spouse get along well then she can always get a cdl and team with you. And teams can earn exponentially more than a solo can. My wife and I are lucky and are each others best friend so she is planning on getting her cdl and teaming with me part of the year. Also, I've had many jobs in the past that have required absences from home so we know our relationship will survive the separation.

Lastly, if you decide to take the plunge then research companies thoroughly. Most of the big ones will train you inhouse for your cdl. Some charge you and take it out of your check over the course of your time with them. Others train you for free but expect you to fulfill a one-year contract with them in return for the schooling. In any event, whether you pay or not almost all starter companies want a one year commitment from you. If you bail then you pay them for the cost of your schooling (usually $3-4 thousand). And since no (non-starter) trucking company will even look at you without at least 1 year otr you almost have to start with one of the starter companies. They generally don't pay as much but it's a living and you need to pay your dues somewhere anyway.

After researching for literally months I decided to go with FFE Transportation and start at their driver academy on 10/31. I'm not saying that they are the best but they are certainly one of the best for a new driver. And they have the added benefit of being pretty much drop and hook - no freight handling. Also, their pay rate is pretty top dollar for a new driver at 0.29 per mile for first six months, 0.30 for the next six month and then 0.31 per mile after a year. FFE drivers I have talked to usually get 2700 -3200 miles per week. But that's FFE. You might like a different company else but be wary. Some companies are known to really screw new drivers. And NEVER let anyone talk you into signing a truck lease until you know what you are getting into. There are a lot of horror stories out there from guys who got in over their head with a lease.

So, greenhorn to greenhorn, I hope that helps. This thread might be helpful at least with regards to the new driver experience and training at FFE:

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-here/138602-the-new-ffe-driver-academey.html

 

Oh, and one other thing. I just noticed your location is in Lubbock. FFE is headquartered in Lancaster, just south of Dallas and their driver academy and corporate offices are in Fort Worth. That might just work out for you regarding good home time. Myself, I live in Alaska, so.......not so much Heh, heh.

 

if your wife & kids don't mind not seeing you for a few weeks at a time.
also you will have bad days and good day.
when you first start it will be hard to make any decent money.
also you will have to go out with a trainer for 6 to 7 weeks, once you get through that you will get your own truck assigned to you.
I found the first six months was the hardest then after that you will have a good feel for it.
if you like to travel, and want to see a little bit of the country you can always try it.
Rite now we are in a bad recession if you have a steady job and are making your bills I would stick it out at were you are until the economy gets better,.
there is plenty of trucking jobs out here but these companies will take advantage of you as a new driver. and the fact that do to the bad economy new truck drivers are a dime a dozen.
Good Luck

 

I would never go OTR and be away from my family. Putting my little daughter to bed every night is the highlight of my day, and I have another on the way soon, so OTR isn't an option for me.

Just my 2 cents......

 

Hell Yes. Today I got a bid for a 4x4x4 200 lb cordwood saw. 241 miles door to door $375. That would make freight pay $84000 a day or $26,208,000.00/ year for 1 truck on a 6 day week. You can get rich trucking.