Do you enjoy your career??

I regret getting let go from a 64k a yr job in 05, and then becoming a truck driver barley making more at times than a burger joint..

 

What did you do before trucking? I'm contemplating leaving a OK-paying job too ... but because I WANT to drive, not because I have to.

 

Problem is that many come in with that viewpoint soon find out they are driving because they have to , not because they want to . Unless you have your own authority you are under the carrier's control . Even with authority you have to run pretty hard to do more than break even .

 

I work for a paper mill, we made baby wipes, armoral wipes for cars, Hospital stuff, and all kids of other things.. There I worked 7 days a week, but made real good $$$. Won't find a job down here that pays that well...

 

beats making toilet paper, I think.

And I really appreciate baby wipes- I use more of those on the road than I do TP (don't eat much)

Been at this trucking thing coming on 3 months now -left an IT/Communications job and wanted something to do. So far, yeah, there've been days where, for a few moments, I said "what am I DOING?", but far and away, I'm having a great time. Home every two weeks, a good DM and TM, a truck I like more than dislike, and I don't have to drive in or near Atlanta.

The only real downside is, I can't take my dog with me, and that sucks.

 

Only regret- not being physically "there" when my family needed me.
lots of plusses.i`ve met good people from maine to south texas to chicago to florida to green bay and on and on.
ive driven thousands of miles on roads,some no better than a "pig path" and enjoying the scenery along the way.even the occasional "game" with law enfocement that comes with trucking.
driving in extreme weatherconditions,impossible deadlines,surly,disagreeable peers nationwide-these things annoy me.
but inspite of all else i could do.STILL trucking

 

Ya know the whole time driving OTR (1yr) I avoided bad wheather, (not my choosing) but my last trip starting out from Salt lake drove what appeared to be over 100mile in a bad, bad snow storm.. I did real well considering it was my first time doing so..

 

My favorite border town is Nuevo Laredo..Laredo, TX is a very truck friendly town and you can park truck, bobtail or with trl in a pay lot just steps away from the bridge for 7 bucks. I found that Nuevo Laredo is the safest, friendliest border town. I usually carry my passport but have also just used my Kentucky ID to get back across.

Glen Walker, that names sounds very familiar but cant come up with anything. Is he a friend of yours?

 

I've been there many times, and had no issues, but do know some driver who would dissagree on it being safe.. And you always here on the radio, people who will bring you over the boarder and back, plus beer for the trip for like $20.. I guess that is a cheap way to die, since you never know if your going to make it out alive or not..

 

Do I enjoy my career?

You bet. When it comes to trucking, I think I have a real good employer. Hourly pay, Mon-Fri work week, home every night, no cost benefits and a good truck/tanker. Pay in the mid 70's with good paid time off. The only thing I would enjoy better is being retired. I have to wait another 14 years until I can retire with full benefits minus social security. About $3200.00 per month.

There are a lot of jobs that pay more but if you enjoy driving, it's hard to beat. I can't speak for OTR drivers. Their situation is a whole lot different. I only wish them the best of luck in finding the right company for them.

Drive safe