I want to drive truck!!!

Well, it can be. But most times, it's work.

Nothing like being parked out in the middle of no where for a couple of days, waiting on a load. With no shower in sight for miles.

Nothing like being in San Diego, while your child celebrates his 4th, 6th, 12, and 18th birthday. Because dispatch "forgot" about you.

Nothing like celebrating Christmas on the 19th. Or better yet, the 10th of January.

Nothing like having a new "anything", even though you've actually owned it for 3-4 years. But never had time to use it, since you bought it.

Yes, trucking is just tons of fun. For the whole family.

 

I agree with tinglish 100%. I think you would be better off sending the old man out for a better paying job. You will miss your child to much and the road is not a good environment for a small child. Sorry if that sounds negative, just my two cents.

 

Truck driving is not just a job. It is a lifestyle. You will essentially live in a truck. You will eat, drive, and sleep in that truck. You will travel throughout the country looking at the sights from the cab of your truck. You will have limited parking options so eating at nice restaraunts will be out. You will have anti-idling ordinances throughout the country which will make it difficult to get any quality rest. Idle your truck unnecessarily and you may just get ticketed. You may eat fast food, eat out of your cooler, or eat in the truckstop and spend about 15.00 on average for a meal, drink, and tip.

Now that was the easy part. The actual job will include dealing with grumpy dispatchers and customers, driving among people that are preoccupied with their make-up, cell phones, eating, reading, changing clothes, screaming kids, and homework from the office. They are not paying attention and it is your responsibility to make sure you do not kill them by running them over when they swerve in front of you.

Now factor in bad weather including high winds that want to push your rig into the next lane, Driving rain which reduces your visibility down to zero in a matter of seconds, and in the winter, snow covered and icy roads where you cannot see the road at all. During the summer you will have bug guts all over the windshield which will obscure your vision, construction zones which will delay you, and customers that will get to you when they feel like it.

Sounds fun doesn't it?

Well lets not forget you will have a computer tracking your movements. Daily log book, Driver Vehicle Inspection Report, and computer work (loading calls, unloading calls, check calls, etc) due each day for which you will NOT be paid for. Now you will have dot check points, ports of entry and weigh stations to go through on a regular basis. Be sure all your paperwork, axle weights, permits, proof of insurance, and registration are current and legal.

Manage to handle all the above and you get to talk to your friends and family on the cell phone and maybe spend 1 to 2 days per week at home (if your lucky and get home each weekend). After everything is said and done you may take home 500.00 to 600.00 per week as a solo driver starting out.

Normally it takes several years of practice and raises before you start making a thousand dollars a week gross (take home will be 700 to 800 depending on your tax bracket and dependants).

Lets not forget the current economy is in a major slump (I say recession) and owner operators are losing their trucks left and right. Small and large companies alike are going out of business. We have a glut of equipment on the road and too many drivers for the current levels of freight that are available. Trucking companies are reducing pay and benefits as well as reducing the size of their office staffs and driver force.

This is not a good time to be a trucker in my humble opinion. It is getting very bad out here.

 

Don't go looking for things that make you happy. Look for happiness in what things you already have. One of the worst things that America has done to its citizens is make them think working for someone else is the end all be all. Stay at home and work three jobs and you'll still have more time with your child. If you don't want to be a mommy give your kid up for adoption. I grew up with parents that didn't want to be and it surely isn't fair to the kid. If you wanted to roam the country seeing the scenery you should have done it before you became a mommy.

BRI

 

BRI,

That's the most logical of all our comments, I believe.

She makes good money. If she's willing to give up 164 hours a week. She could just give up another 40 with another job at home. She would make the same money as most drivers, actually more since she stated she brought home 22K from that one job.

She would still have 84 hours with her child, each week.

80 hours and home every day for 44K. Or 164 hours and home every few weeks, for less.

 

Do Not Do It.you Get Home 3or 4 Days Every 4or 5 Weeks. Driving Is Not For People Who Need Go Home.also You Should Not Expect Someone Else To Raise Your Child Also You Wont Make Any Money Now Days Any Way.stay Home Make Friends Love Your Kid .if You Hit The Road You Will Get Lost In Your Life.you Would Probaly Quit Anyway.its Is A Lousy At Job Best.--train For Something Else.-------

 

Amanda,

I disagree -sorta - with these folks who say don't do it cuz you're a mommy. Sometimes, needs must. If you have to, you have to. 22K is crap in today's world - as you obviously realize. It's far, far better to provide for the kid than it is to end up living on a street corner.

Yes, being elsewhere as they grow sucks. I did it for a few years getting my company off the ground, and missed a number of things - birthdays, Xmas, first fall from a tree...

IF you have to take to this career, and have to leave the guttermonkey behind, make sure the kid stays with somebody who shares your beliefs. Since Dad is paying child support, it unfortunately sounds like he's not an option. Your Mom and Dad, though, might be.

However, it appears most all earlier comments are related to OTR. Check around, see if there are any local companies who are not afraid of hiring newbies. Check out construction companies, tanker companies, local delivery, etc. If there are jobs locally, I'd be all over it. Around here, construction trucking pays between $15 and $20/hour - and you are home every night.

Just a thunk

 

You may want to look at Lisa Motor Lines in FT. Worth, TX. I worked for them for a few years and they had me running through Indiana twice a week, so that may help you as far as seeing your kid more. They also offer driver training and will put you up in a hotel you only have to give them 12 mo. of service and they are a good group to work with. I used to be a trainer with them so if you have any questiones feel free to contact me and the other drivers that have responded here have left you with very good info. We are here to help. Again welcome to the forum and if you decide to go on the road or stay home I wish you the best of luck.

 

This is a tough one. I have never had kids, heck, I held an infant for the first time less than a year ago. I don't know how much time is enough for your children. I will therefor skip any discussion about what is best for your family. Instead, I would like to touch on the "lifestyle" aspects of the job in order to help you make your decision.

I have been doing this since I was 19 years old, for 4 years I LIVED in a truck. No home/apartment, no bills, no mail, no phone. I am, if you will forgive my boldness, pretty darn good at this job and I have known some that are/were just plain extraordinary. One thing that I have in myself that I recognize in others who live this lifestyle and profit nicely from it is a big chunk of selfishness. Add in some egotism, a large portion of self reliance, a bit of flair and a willingness to accept that there is no real reason for things happening in the fashion that they are. These are things I believe to be essential to a successful truck driving career. You may notice that these are not things usually put on the "about me" sections of dating sites, but the ugly truth is that these are the things that will make you successful in trucking.

Many of the answers to your posts are more sober than usual because you are the mother of a young son. I don't know from kids so I can't say. Rugrats or rutabagas all I need to know is how much they weigh and when do they have to be there? If you believe you have the qualities mentioned above and the sheer bloody mindedness to put them into action, then I say have at it and good luck to you. Many a father of a young son has gone a wandering to find his fortune. If it really calls to you, then answer.