About to get into trucking, for some fairly practical reasons.

I guess you've ruled out military service . Veterans get educational VA benefits and reservists get free tuition at community colleges . Ask drivers with 2 or 3 years experience how much they have accumulated in savings during that time .

 

But 5,000 people die in truck involved accidents each year . Driving is the 8th most dangerous job in the country .

 

Like Chicago or NYC?

 

Hard question to answer, if you plan on getting rich or financing further education it can be done, altho not in a short timeframe. Initial start up for a driver is fairly high, all the guys who save money by eating in their trucks have to purchase their own eqipment microwave etc.

Income is controlled by another party, there really is no solid answer wether to go for this or not. Trucking has always been good to me raised 3 kids to adulthood and educated them. Riches were generated in family not cash. Stumbling around here a little, but I guess where I am going is, this industry is what you make of it, a career or a stepping stone.


Best of luck with your decision.

 

whats wrong with chicago,I drive around there like it is my back yard. THe place is not that bad and you get great rates to run it

 

Here are a couple of other things for you to think about. Do you have a good attitude? Can you just let annoying & aggravating things just kind of roll off you, or do you tend to "go postal" when things tick you off? Also, can you think on your feet? If you have a good attitude, can let things roll off you instead of blowing up, and can think on your feet, then you can probably handle the industry, if not, don't even bother because you will not be cut out for it.

Now that we have that out of the way, you won't get rich off trucking, but you can make a decent living, especially since you don't have a wife and kids, and can get away with staying with family on home time. Saved and invested properly, you could build yourself a nice little nest egg to help fund your engineering plans. You probably won't be able to fund it fully, but it could definitely make college a bit easier financially. It will take a few years. Having a fridge and microwave in your truck will definitely help cut down on food expenses on the road. There are a lot of walmart stores that do allow truck parking so you can shop there for food. You can also stock up on home time, and maybe even have mom save you some good leftovers!

 

Like you I am new to this trucking........
Grandma took a guyout or be put out by company. Union rep could not say how much longer we would be open....live in Michigan...enough said....

One thing I have noticed is what the ole timer's have said...good company's do not need trucking schools to recruit new employees...I have started asking driver's their input for the info on their company.

One thing that bother's me is they "layoff" those with senority while hiring newbies....same thing is occurring in the medical field....friend just got laid off...same age...

Anyways, I am now considering to wait to Feb or March to start training and in the meantime research a few companies.....

I wish you nothing but success and the best in your new life...
Getting rich in any industry is becoming more of a challenge..............