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

I don't know how much anyone here will believe it, but working customer service tech support, in a company where largely everything was improvised, definitely built up patience and thinking on my feet.

See I don't really think about it in terms of getting rich. I think about it in terms of staving off poverty. I guess there are a lot of other ways to work just for the sake of working, but this is one of the easiest I can think of. I have HEARD that after 5 years, with Hazmat and Doubles and Triples endorsements, you can get 60k+ with some companies. I take that with a grain of salt.

 

You pretty much know by reading things here what to expect, but you have to ask yourself, if thats the kind of life you want and can except and do for sure, if your not sure or it doesnt sound like anything you want then dont, ive seen to many people get into something just to have a job then decide it wasnt for them and quit after having time and money spent. Maybe you need to find your line of work in another city where you can be happier with what your doing instead of money spent on something you dont want.

 

Well, I can't say that I want it. But millions of people are in jobs and/or lifestyles that they don't want. But I do know I can accept it. They do.

That's not really a viable option. I'm not some skilled SAP developer with 5 years of programming practice. I'm a young guy without that much experience. I can't pick up that kind of work without beating the streets for at least 6 months--6 months I cannot afford to be out of work.

 

If you get on with the right company (one that treats you decent and gets you good miles), then you can definitely do better than in other jobs that you would qualify for. I've been in your shoes, and there are so many of the better paying jobs that require an associate degree or more that it's enough to drive one nuts. I have all the same skills, but because I don't have the degree I don't qualify. I would think that experience should count more than a piece of paper for some things, but I'm being logical. Business and logic don't mix!

 

I thought about military service, but it turns out that at 6'0" 290 lbs, I'm too fat for the military.

 

I have heard that if you save your money, keep your head on straight, etc., you WILL BE Okay !!!

If you buy a microwave, a coffeepot, etc., and use it in the truck, then I am told that you can use that on your income tax---make sure you keep all of your receipts ! Same thing goes for clothes.

Hey, at least you have a pretty good idea of what you need to do and by reading this forum on a regular basis you have a pretty good idea of what is going on.

 

I would agree with libit. If you have a bad additude now it probably only will get worse. Be positive about it because it can be good to you if you keep focused.

Also, I would loose the apt and crash with friend/family cause you will never see the place. Money down the drain........... Good Luck

 

-say no more, you are trucker material.

Buy a good GPS first. Garmin 320/330/340 refurbs are $100-120 + a GPS antennae $10-60.

I think USA Truck is a fair deal, but freight is crappy industry wide -and I only think it will get worse.

 

Please ignore the sarcasm,

So you're OK with putting in 20-30plus hrs a week of uncompensated time and labor?


And it is OK to you to not only pay for your mistakes in time/labor but also of dispatch, the shippers and the consignee.

And you are OK with a company NOT placing a value on your time?

And the lies deception and manipulation of OTR companies will be OK.

Don't mind running illegal do you? They all do it.
How do you do getting your sleep pattern out of whack?
Do you really need to shower everyday?
Do petty people bother you? (I have never dealt with so many petty people till I started OTR)


All the above is industry norm. In fact, its so normal it doesn't even get mentioned that much. Trucker/drivers just accept it. Besides why talk of it anyways it doesn't do any good.

Because "trucking is what you make of it"
That right there is a concession that trucking for the most part is a horrible occupation. Does any really think that someone that likes there J O B would ever say "it is what you make of it"

BTW I'm trying to be helpful

But how practical is it to spend money to start an occupation that has a turnover rate of 130% -probably in the 200s for newbies-
and places no value whatsoever on your time.


People talk of how hard it is to live on the road.
It isn't.
It is just low. A very low standard of living.

I'm not saying you can't make money doing OTR.
Especially with your plan to cut expenses.
But considering health, hygiene, liabilities, decency, avg. hourly pay etc
Why?
OTR is a live to work life. There isn't any adventure out here. People who think this job is an adventure are boring.

USA truck? I don't even think they pay "practical miles"
In case you don't know, the way companies pay you by the mile isn't accurate. They'll throw a percentage of the known miles you drove out.
I

OTR is a scam. And your time is valuable.