Advice for former LEO retiring and going into trucking

Hi. I am also former LEO. There are plenty of us in trucking. The plus side: challenging, police perspective gives you a lot of advantages, refreshing to be away from the trauma and drama created by people, you are on your own without a lot of politics or management bullsh&t. LEOs bring a professionalism and analytical mindset to the table that is othrewise lacking. Trucking is high risk so at least you are on familiar ground. It is an in demand profession.

Downside: never home, safety departments are really compliance departments - you are only something that moves a mehanical asset so nobody really cares if you live or die, keeping clean is a challenge, first year pay sucks, as a LEO you are a responsible person used to working in teams and you will constantly be cleaning up after the ####heads who somehow manage to stay employed. Some of the rules are totally lacking in logic, but then they are there because of the ####hheads who also are totally lacking in logic. You will be treated like garbage for at least the first six months.

Please join the rest of us former LEOs. We need you. I want you at my company.

 

Welcome and coming from a similar background.
Retired from police work with 20 years and then as a commercial pilot for 10 before entering the trucking world. I have been working for a tanker company now almost a year hauling hazardous material. Definitely recommend getting all of your endorsements when you get your commercial license as it allows you to have more options. I would recommend doing your research on companies as there are plenty of choices. Some good and others not good at all. I have personally liked the tanker business and am on a dedicated route. I was used to travel and being away from home for a month at a time in my flying job but must say that living in a truck for an extended length of time is a different proposition and takes adjustment. Personally I would recommend starting with being gone for a week at a time to just get adjusted to the lifestyle and doing your 34 reset at home. You can always go over the road later once you are sure you like living in the truck. I have found I like getting home on the weekends personally. If you would like to speak with me and get more information feel free to pm me and good luck.

 

Former local Sheriff turned IT guy turned trucker turned OO here.

I prefer flatbeds with TWIC. That is enough for me.

I just think us flatbedders get too see the coolest stuff man! I have gotten tours of some pretty amazing facilities that make military stuff or just really cool stuff (Tunnel Boring Machines!).

I am outgoing and am always asking questions and most guys will be like, "jump in the golf cart....we'll show you what we do here!"

 

Invest in a dash cam. Mine was $58.49. I bought mine to show people what kind of weather we drive in in the winter time. Just got it in January and no good weather events were worth posting.

 

Completely agree. Had a guy hit me a couple of days ago coming into my lane and striking my mirror. Then he would not stop. Minor damage but could have been worse. Glad I had the dash cam as proof he came into my lane. A truck GPS is also needed in my opinion. Will save you a lot of headaches.

 

Most truck drivers use a blue tooth for talking on the phone. Trucks generate noise so I use a blue parrot over the head blue tooth. It has noise canceling features so that people can understand what you are saying. The volume can be turned up high enough so that you can hear what people are saying. With a cheap blue tooth you cannot turn up the volume high enough to hear the other person or the engine noise creates a garbled transmission that results in no one being able to understand you.

 

That could get you in trouble driving or not.

 

I worked full time as a LEO for the last 15 years and decided back in September of 2015 to go to a local driving job that I have also worked at part-time for the last 12 years. I still work part-time as LEO for the small town I live in just so I don't loose any of my certifications, but I really don't want to, I have lost all interest in it, got tired of dealing with the same ole dirt bags day in and day out.
So far I don't miss the job at all and have really enjoyed working M-F no weekends or holidays and not worried about getting called in on my days off. Not sure where your from but I drive for a family farming operation that has about 7 other full-time drivers, we haul grain,dry and liquid fertilizer, rock,. If you live in an ag area might be something to look into, you wont just be a "number" and more part of the family. Like I said so far I have not regretted my decision for the change and I hope the best of luck and success to you on the next chapter in your life.

 

Go into another LEO job. Believe it or not, both Phoenix and Los Angeles abolished their upper age limits over a decade ago.

It's common for guys in their 50's and 60's to get on as rookies.

If Phoenix and L.A. are doing it, then it's safe to guess that smaller towns near phx & LA are following their lead. So if you don't want a big city cop job, try smaller towns nearby.

 

I have to agree and have not missed law enforcement. Dealing with humanity at its worse takes its toll which is why I got out to begin with. The internal politics of a police department was also aggravating to say the least. Kept my certification for a while as a reserve but finally let it go to avoid monthly training. I realized I didn't want to go back. What I really like about my job now is that I don't have to deal with that side of humanity or corporate jerks like I did in the flying community. Simply get product to the customer on time and safely and they leave you alone. At least that has been my experience. The money is not bad but just do your research regarding your starting company. Should be pretty easy to make over $1000 per week starting out or more if you want to go on the road for extended periods of time. I personally know guys with our company making in the $80k plus range but most are gone for a month or so at a time and not home every weekend.