moving from retail to trucking...

I like the big lie "I hate trucking, anything is better, go flip burgers, go to school for welding, anything but trucking."
Then you ask,"Why are you still driving if it's so bad?"
Answer,"Because I don't want to give my employer the satisfaction of seeing me quit."

 

I've met plenty of those lol.

They always end up telling me to finish my degree and get my Ph.D. However unlike them I legitimately loathed school, and ended up doing exactly what my grandfather hoped I'd never do. Now I get to hear every joke he's thought of my companies trucks that week when we talk.

He's the liar that's always retiring this year.Heard that since he was 63, now he's 71.

 

It's disappointing when reading posts on here from experienced drivers trying to discourage young people from starting a career in trucking. If it's so bad, why are they still driving? They usually say, "Well, it's not like it used to be." That's true, and it's been true since the first truck hit the road 100 yrs ago and it will always be true in the future. One has to be versatile and smart enough to adjust and adapt to the times.

 

Agreed. It's shameful. I try to focus on the positive side of things, despite my sarcastic nature. There's alot of negativity that's just spewed out from drivers everywhere. In many ways the industry has improved. Far fewer companies get away with "do this next load or find another job," after running 700 miles and no break in between. I'm third generation, I've heard all the underhanded stories. While I'd like to be able to run loose leaf for my convenience, its a dangerous practice in the end. I make good enough money running legal.

Then que the I'd never work for company X. When sometimes company X is the best fit for someone. And in reality they know nothing other than they don't like them.

I've sat down and talked with people who made it work where no one else made it work. Happy as clams, I'm not going to sit there and try to ruin it for em. I may offer them whatever info I have of better oppritunitys, but I'm not going to sit there and call them an idiot because its working out.

Back to the original topic, the truth is if you are the type of person cut out for this line of work, there isn't much to substitute it with that is readily accessible. I love every minute of it, and I am constantly trying to break the stereotypes and educate people. This is one of the few industry's left where someone with basically no skills can come in, learn and in a few years and some ambition be making a really decent living. This coming year as long as the economy dosent tank I'll be set to make more money than I planned with my degree, all while doing something I enjoy.

That may have made sense lol. I have a weird way of thinking.

 

Love seeing these type of posts as someone doing research thinking about getting into the industry myself. Good to have all the negative posts evened out every so often with some good attitudes! Thanks a lot.

 

Congratulations on getting out of retail. It blows mightily.

 

The positive people are out there. The negative ones just yell louder. Fortunately I can't hear them over my reefer.

 

A weak pulse will still get you job in this Industry. ...

If you wanna make your time count for something, really consider tankers.

 

I worked retail for many many years. It has it good points and bad points just like any other job or career. But once you have done retail for a certain amount of time it doesn't matter the company you work for. It all just blurs together.

Given that can be true for trucking also. But at least you have a decent view most days and for the most part it is a very independent type of work. That was one of the reasons I left retail. After being in the same building or maybe even in the same room every day working it just sucks. I'm a new driver, only been at it for about 7 months but I do enjoy it.

Just do whatever you want to do man, don't let anyone talk you out of something. Weight the cons and pros and make your own decision. Getting started the pay isn't really that great, especially if you have a family and kids, but it doesn't take too long to make more money. Once you have the experience you can always move over to dedicated routes with a lot of companies.

If you do decide to go into trucking the only advice I would give you is research the company that you want to work for. Try to stay away from most of the huge trucking companies. Yes they will pay for your school but you will be tied to them usually for a year, don't get me wrong being with a company for at least a year to begin with should be your first goal. But try to find a company that has a decent reputation with its employees and do your year there. You really don't want to be stuck with a company for a year that treats their employees worse than they do their trucks.

Good Luck