Would you recommend trucking?

Dude, if you're waiting for the perfect job in the perfect situation, forget it. Not going to happen. I would always recommend trucking to somebody with no experience, why wouldn't I? I'm a truck driver! This job is in you blood or it isn't. If it isn't, you'll know pretty quick. If it is, stick with it and it will become a good career for you if you're professional about it.

 

Just hate seeing everyone try to turn the guys like you away, before they even have a chance to understand what they are looking at. A lot of us are getting older, and unless they figure out a way to stop the aging process. We are gonna have to pass our torches to somebody. And just worries me some don't have the respect of how important we move these trucks down the road. Be it, big, small, local, longhaul. They are gonna have a tough time getting planes and trains to your local Walmart.... And some of the younger guys come out a try it, have a rough go at it, and then give up. And I know some of us "Veterans of the road" have done nothing to help them. Is it a easy lifestyle? No, nothing will always be picture perfect. Is it a rewarding lifestyle. In my opinion, I would do nothing else. And probably will until... well you know. But it was just how I grew up. Not everyone is into it enough to have to worry about their own personal mental health. SemiCrazy.....

 

Well MackD thanks for joining the forum! Speaking for myself I spend more time reading the forums then trying to get my post count up to impress no one! But then again I'm old school, done lots of roofs like Scooter mentioned, and lots of other construction jobs that constantly break down a mans body! Nothing sucked worse than trying to become a Union dockworker after being a scab and getting crap loads of tires, shopping carts, little 4inch by 4 inch Hallmark boxes floor loaded to the roof all hand unload in the middle of the summer just to becoms a teamster! And that was after working construction all week then being on call for the weekend! So just saying some people have been thru hell and are still wanting to do the driving, but personally when old school drivers come here and give out good advice.... trust me people who want and appreciate the info are listening!

 

Yeah, that may be an early sign, right there. Like I said, there are tons of local gigs. And nothing wrong with being a mechanic. The wrenches need turned somehow. Trucks are getting more complicated, and (newer) drivers are having a tough time driving them, so they gonna need someone to help.

 

Well to answer the question would I recommend trucking the short and sweet is yes I would .

Now for the rest of the story .......
I would if you are not afraid to get your hands dirty and work .
Trucking is not the easy sit on your butt and hold the wheel kind of job everyone thinks that it is .
I think that is one of the many reasons that people fail at trucking .

If you can be alone for long periods of time and not break down and cry yourself to sleep at night then sure go for it .
If you can handle being responsible for your actions then sure .
If you are the kind of person that pays attention to the little things and cares about details then it is a good job .

If you keep your record clean and drive like you have half a brain you can go far in trucking .

Lastly in 35 years of trucking I have been one single day without a job that I didn't want to be .
Not gonna lie it has not always been easy and I have worked my butt off but it has been a great ride over all and I would not change a thing .

By the way I have never worked a day in my life for a mega carrier . To many good small companies to associate my self with the likes of any of the mega so called starter companies .

 

I've not been out here as long as most (got my CDL 3.5 years ago at a community college), and trucking is actually my 3rd career. I spent about 17 years in vocational ministry (13 as a youth minister; 4 as senior pastor). Those years were sandwiched between about 10 years in university and municipal recreation. Obviously, those careers had little in common with trucking, except for a CDL to drive a 26-passenger church bus, pulling equipment behind pickups for the parks department, and a LOT of LONG hours.

Like you're doing, I researched trucking extensively before jumping in...and the research brought me to this forum actually. Reading here gave answers, and also created more questions --- all valuable. A couple of the most important ones were, "What sort of trucking did I want to do?", and "How long did I want to be out?"

Now, my bride and I married somewhat later in life (almost 35 and 34 at the time; 1st marriage for both), so we're pretty independent. I was a youth pastor then, so she quickly got used to me being gone on youth trips, etc. For weekends, or even a week or more at a time. Still, we both figured it'd be best for me to try this trucking thing with a company that at least claimed to get drivers home on the weekends. That way being consistently gone several days at a time wouldn't be as much of a culture shock, so to speak.

Based on my research, plus the fact that even tho I'd been the director of a parks department I was always quick to work alongside my crew, not just bark orders and watch, the activity of flatbed appealed to me. Plus, the company I first went to guaranteed home on weekends. The owner is Seventh Day Adventist and prefers his trucks not roll on Saturdays.

It was a wise move. Good training, good equipment, decent money, home every weekend...i.e., get home Fri afternoon/early evening, leave again Sun afternoon/evening, sometimes Monday morning. Did that for 6 months, but then scratched my itch to pull tankers. Been doing that for right at 3 years now. Pull both chemical and pneumatic tanks. Some weeks home every night, some home a few/couple nights, others might be gone all week. If I wish, I can request to be gone longer. The variety makes it nice.

Probably a lot more info than you needed, but just thought I'd share my experience, coming into this industry from two other vocations unlike it. I've always loved to drive, so that helps. Obviously driving one of these rigs isn't like driving a passenger vehicle, but if being on the road for long trips in one of those isn't enjoyable, you'll probably hate this! lol

Keep researching...look at all the options in trucking, not just what's considered the typical "you'll be gone 3-4 weeks and make crappy wages as a rookie" stuff. I've not made as much as some, but make more than many.

Trucking as been a good option for me. A lot of it I really enjoy, but like any other vocation, there are parts I hate. Hey, it's a job, right? All the best to you in your search and decision.

 

I have nothing but respect for those who have done and are coming from other trades and industries. Don't think we would be hauling much without them. And many do jobs that have made say to myself "there's no way in hell". I hope its not mistaken or unwanted that I kinda got off subject. Didn't mean to turn this into truck history hour. Lol. I drive my other half nuts, because one lil thing could get me talkin. But I really do think some of us older drivers need to help the newer guy in anyway we can.