Would you recommend trucking?

We live in a different age now. The proliferation and dissemination of information via the internet gives everyone a platform to pontificate on just about anything and everything, including their own negative experiences in trucking.

On this forum, it seems that the negative outweighs the positive. Mostly because in real life, people are far more likely to use platforms like this to express negative experiences, than they are positive ones.

You're right, the average younger man or woman contemplating a vocational career in trucking would be discouraged from doing so coming here and looking for feedback. I've never seen so many whiners and cry babies as I have since coming into this industry 7 years ago.

Trucking is a great profession. There a lot of opportunities out here in this industry. Like any other vocation there are downfalls and negative aspects.

Believe me, I've done jobs in my life that were considerably harder than trucking...

Ever picked peaches in the summer heat of central California? How about rolling insulation in hot attics, laying shingles down in 90 degree heat on a 7/12 roof pitch? Planting trees in the middle of the winter in the PNW on muddy slopes, etc etc etc.

I guess when all else fails, these young folks can move back in with mom & dad in the basement and play Pokemon all day

 

Hey hey I play Pokemon at some of my stops! NYC is crawling with Pokemon...

 

After how many years in the field?

 

At least someone here gets my point. And yes, I will admit, I have been slower than most to really dig into this internet world. And until having a load get canceled on me yesterday and I having a weekend of free time here in VA. I didn't know this site existed. But while researching a prospective future gig, I ended up here and have to say, became instantly worried and a lil angry too. I hear on the road, a lot of guys like myself, who been out here for 20-30 years complaining about the new drivers coming out here. And anytime time I ask if they are doing anything to steer them in the proper dirrection. It gets followed by nothing but maybe grumbles at most. So who do the new guys have to turn too? The major carriers, the same ones being complained about in multiple ways all over this site! And then Trucking is not for everyone. But if those of us who made our lives of it, keep sitting on our hands and do nothing to help the younger guys(and gals).How can we complain?
P.S. Never picked peached. But hauled many, along with watermelons and lettuce out of CA. And drove the Cabbage many of times to make sure people could go to the store to buy their Christmas trees. Closest I got to roofing was hauling wood or shingles on a flatbed. Thank you for your 7 yrs of service. And stay safe out there.

 

I would say yes , gives you a chance to see the country get away from your better half (always a plus) earn a decent living.

 

There are guys at my place of employment that have just graduated community college Hvac program 6 months ago start at 19.50 an hr. Also it depends on the individual. If you are a quick learner and demonstrate your skills efficiently you will climb the pay scale quickly.

 

I'm sorry to answer your question I'd say after 10 yrs experience and also consider inflation.

 

It's a very rewarding job that requires a lot of hard work for less pay than you might expect. It requires a certain personality to enjoy, let alone tolerate. There is a ton of inter-industry drama that does nothing positive for new drivers, and a lot of recruiters and schools selling snake oil to the unwitting.

From what I've come to understand, the vast majority of new drivers don't last a year (my driver services manager said over 65%) and that's mostly because they can't handle the work, or the isolation.

That all said, there is a massive number of different niches within the industry that don't involve running van freight OTR. And with you having office experience (is it in any way managerial?), there might be potential for you to move into an office job after investing a few years with a single company (a company doesn't run entirely upon it's drivers, much to the chagrin of drivers).

Last piece of advice. Do you love to drive? I mean love with an absolute passion? So much that you are willing to do it up to 60-70 hours a week and put up with some of the worst possible driving conditions (people, construction and weather) imaginable on a near-daily basis? If you answered yes, then trucking should be something you should look into. If there is any hesitation, then no. Run the other way.

 

That's news to me. When I got done with HVAC school the instructors told us we'd most likely start at $11 or 12 an hour. Upon graduation I could wire a thermostat, replace a blower motor, but really didn't feel like I could be sent on a service call and truly know what I was doing.

 

Trucking is great for me. Retired military. I get to see family someplace every other day . But it like other say it's a lifestyle change.