How foolish would I be if......

I am not a truck driver but my theory is.....you can't put a price on happiness and living a dream. That's the difference between a career and a job...Happiness and Pay.

I see you are 51. You have other means of income. You have no kids at home. You and wifey already know how to deal with this. Go for it! ....unless you can't go without your $42k per year....I really can't see you making that right off the bat. Some do get lucky and manage to get good gigs after 6 months but you can't count on getting lucky.

Be careful. Weigh out your options. Know exactly what you want before choosing a company. Make your voice be heard with the company and don't settle for anything less than what you want. (within reasonable means) Your son has a decent amount of time on him...talk with him and ask him questions. Have him discuss the ups and downs of the industry.

Check out our forums. Trucking Regulations is a place to go to see all the BS with the industry. Trucking Schools is good to scope out if you will have to be trained with a school. Questions from Newbies is great as you will be dealing with a lot of the same issues. Experienced Truckers Advice is good to see what the older ones deal with. Heck...this whole site is great!

I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose to do!

 

bored in USCG?? O_O i have a lot more experience in maritime than in trucking so i can't understand. #### it i have university diploma to finish only in order to board. make a license or something in USCG so your present job will change. if nothing else, you will save some crazy people like me in the middle of Atlantic on a crappy boat.

a lot more interesting
your idea is prized by 3
over and out
kkkkkkkkkkssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

I'd suggest googling expediter forums and looking into that . All expedite trucks are owned by O/O's but several O/O's are fleet owners that contract solos or teams to drive their trucks . The usual agreement is a 60/40 split . The driver gets 60% of gross revenue but pays the fuel . Driving for a fleet owner gives you O/O experience without investing in a truck . Your goal of making $40 ,000 + is also more likely .
As for the scale , I'd say hiring on as a newbie with a regular OTR carrier would be a 2 , contracting with a fleet owner leased to an expediting carrier would be a 9 if the life style suits you . As an expediter you are expected to respond to a Qualcomm call in 15 minutes and be rolling in another 15 if you accept the load . It's not unusual to sit a couple of days between loads but you make as much running 4 days as OTR drivers make running 6 .

 

Go For It!. You are where I am waiting to be. I have 10 years left to retire at 51yrs. old. I have a wife and three young kids to raise and then I'm giving trucking a shot.

 

I'd rate the idea a 3...

and I wouldn't jump in until spring for sure.

traditionally, trucking is heading into winter and by x-mas guys will be sitting all over... there will be loads in a normal year... they just taper off is all...

with the economy like it is... they might taper off sooner, for longer, and harder...


I don't want dampen your enthusiasm just not blow sunshine either...

if its a dream okieday... just be forewarned is all... good luck

 

Well, I'm of the opinion that if it's something that will make you happy go for it. Yes, you can make the wages you make now, and beyond, but it wouldn't be right away and it probably won't be easy. The best way to do that is strive to be the best driver you can be and be as low maintenance as you can be to your company. Do your homework, as others have said, read through the forums and ask tons and tons of questions. I think you'd do just fine. Poor economy, or not, freight has to move, you just need to make sure you're hooked on to the best of it.

Good luck!

 

you wouldn't be crazy at all
I loved working in the same factory for 20 years, my only job, with great coworkers too. But I wanted to drive ever since I was a little kid,I almost started driving in my 20's but backed out. Two and a half years ago, I got prehired on PAM, quit my job, the last day was tough, went to school and I love it. Some loads and days are annoying, but I love this life. It's not a job, it's a life.
$40,000 is easy to make if you're a company driver.
I'm not with PAM now, but I think everybody starting out should try to get their start with them.