40-something corporate guy ready to quit the rat-race

I quit my middle management finance Job in August, joined Maverick and have bee doing flatbed solo for a month now...I love it. Get your ducks in a row and learn what realistic expectations to have. I researched all I could for a year, even before I had my CDL...MAKE SURE THE WIFE IS ON BOARD!!! TRUCKING IS A LIFESTYLE NOT JUST A JOB....but man is it sweet!!!!!!!

You'll find a lot of guys have an erroneous view of what a high paying job is like, there the ones who'll be talking down trucking!!!!!

Also you'll find some posters here (Chinatown) have a wealth of knowledge and are happy to share!!!

Go for it!!!!!!

 

Welcome. I identify with a lot of what you said - our situations are very similar. I have become almost obsessed with the idea of hitting the road, and spend my time looking at trailer specs and tire sizes. As much as I want to make the jump now, I'm not going to do it until my kid is in college. I've thought through the kid part, and that was my decision. You have to think through the wife part as well. I don't know many women in their 40's who are used to having hubby around, who would then be ok being on their own most of the time. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Most Community Colleges are cheaper then the mills. And they are not entire semesters. Normally 4-8 weeks. Also many have connections with companies other then the rats like Stevens, Schneider, CR England, CRST.

 

Yup, CT blows and gets worse every day.

 

Are out of your mind? If you think the corporate world is full of sharks, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Finding a good gig out here can be next to impossible. Especially as a new driver. Low pay, sitting and waiting for loads, early death, missing family and destroying personal relationships, and those are just the not so bad things. Give it two months in a truck that 15 other drivers abused, a dispatcher who hates you a company that doesn't know you but thinks of you as truck 5678, having to deal with other truck drivers, lot lizards, the endless group of sad sacks that have their hand out for your cash and the companies and DOT who think that truckers make a mil a year, oh hell yeah. C'mon down. You'll be back behind a desk in no time.

 

Or just get out to ND and get in the patch. Plenty of jobs ( I know a big fat guy that got a gravy job loading railcars with crude , and he's a dumb fat guy) you sound like a smart fat guy so you should be off and racing in no time LOL!
Just JK'ing on the fat part, don't waste time with OTR trucking you will hate it anyway. It's not a "road trip" it's a job!
Why TF don't you take all this money you've got and go live in Margaritaville for the rest of your days?

 

Joseph - you really shouldn't sugar coat it - lol

I count myself as very lucky to be single right now. I don't have to try and convince a wife of this plan, or cross my fingers that I won't have to write a check for half my stuff. All props to those with great wives - they are the real deal. But... I'm guessing most don't work out.

 

Nothing is easy that's for sure. I would go to work and not know when I would get off. I was told your salary 16 hours a day was normal. And don't plan trips with the family 200 miles away and phone rings. We need you back like yesterday we have issues to deal with. Lots of trips paid for lots of trips lost. Sure your home every night but what good is it when your family is in bed asleep and they still are when you leave to go to work. I worked in the nuclear world and the plant comes first. It was nothing to work 1500 hours a year ot without being paid for it. That's not exaggerating either.

 

This is exactly why it's so important to plan and not just jump into trucking. He failed because he took a job with one of the mega refrigerated carriers is my guess. Get the endorsements, passport, TWIC and start your new career with a good tanker or flatbed company. The only dry van company I'm aware of where a new driver can start this career with decent pay, ie, $50K, is Millis Transfer. Other than Millis, go with tanker or flatbed.

SVTN
Superior-Carriers
Schneider tanker division
Maverick
Melton Truck Lines
System Transport
TMC
Venezia

Study these companies websites for benefits such as healthcare and 401K.
Do it right from the beginning so you won't be cleaning your truck out in 7 days.

 

Not to bore you but, you could do very well in the trucking industry. It is what you make of it. You will make between 32,000 and 120,000. Wide range right. You will see what the 32k folks are doing wrong. Working for companies plan on making around $75,000. That is 9 hours a day, 365 days a year with a half hour lunch break. Do not lease. If you want to buy a truck, do so. But wait until you decide you like or not.

The truck is your mobile home. I am finishing law school this year. My hobby is genealogy and I love taking loads to places I need to research. There are tricks to the trade. Coming here was a good move on your part, also, join OOIDA.

Remember no matter who you work for, you work for yourself.