Truck driver or not ?

probably. I don't play well with others anymore.lol. so yeah, solo life in a truck suits me,fine. home to wife on weekends.
If I'd stayed in an office I would have thrown some smarta** kid out the window!!
couldn't have stayed in construction,getting too old for concrete work.

My dad still asks when I'm going back to a real job,lol. I've been doing this for almost 30 yrs !! it's a waste of college he says. he spent 35 yrs at IBM.

 

Would you choose to be a truck driver again ?

Yes, I already have come back after 18 yrs out of the truck and having drove for 10+ yrs.

 

Did one year in the truck came off the road for a year...missed it every day..been back 2 years and couldn't be happier

 

Same thing here.

8 years driving, out for 17 and now back. Next year should be able to buy my own truck.

In those 17 years, I always longed to be back in one of those trucks. Never made the move when I was married and the kids were here.

Now it works good with the new wife and the kids living with the ex.

 

You should give it a shot, I know I am glad I did. I found out the lifestyle was not for me after about 6 weeks with the trainer. But I gained a lot of respect for the people who drive trucks for a living --- they are totally underpaid that is my opinion. I loved driving the truck, I hated the lack of home time, the lack of good meals, the lack of a good place to sleep, the hassle of finding a parking place, being stuck at trucks stops for days on end when the trailer or truck had problems, the lack of exercise, the lack on interaction with people, driving in blinding snowstorms in Wyo with 50mph winds... It's not for everyone, wasn't for me but it took about 6 weeks of doing it before I came to that conclusion. I say give it a try, you might enjoy it! Truthfully, I sort of miss it.

 

I appreciate your post . There should be more like you that stay and say why they left .
I can't understand why you tell Versys to give it a shot . A 20 year old CDL with no recent experience is pretty much worthless . He'd have to go to a CDL mill and be just another wannabe making less money than he is making now working twice as many hours . That's after 4 to 6 weeks in school without pay , waiting and trying to get into orientation and maybe eventually ending up with a trainer 4 to 6 weeks or longer at $300 a week training pay. Totally insane.

 

Similar story as many. I too drove for 7 years then decided to move to fleet maint. mgmt. 20 + years and several different career turns later, I realized looking back that Driving OTR was the only job I ever had that I REALLY liked.

So as I posted on the welcome wagon in this forum. Now on the + side of 50yo. no minor children no wife and always being a bit of a loner, I decided to get back behind the wheel again a few years ago. Been at it now full time for the last year or so locally. LOVE IT! looking to head out OTR again in the ?? future.

Truck Driving is kindof like riding a Motorcycle "If I have to explain it, you would not understand"

 

As a truckers wife I have a different angle on it. I love that my husband is a truck driver and am very proud of him. I could not see any other life for him or us. Been around trucks my whole life so I guess that's why I am use to it. Although there are days that I hate it that he is gone but those are few. I look at it this way what other job can you get pd to see the country for and not have no one breathing down your neck.

 

No, absolutely not. The trucking industry has changed for the worse over the years. I spent close to 30 years at UPS, one of the better places to drive for and I would not choose to do it again. As I finally retire (again) next year, I know I will not miss it at all. It's not what it used to be, not even close. It used to be a job I was proud of, but now with NAFTA in full swing, it's just another Third World job. Sure, there's a miniscule amount of "freedom", but at what price ? Poverty wages and not much of a personal life in the bargain. No thanks..