Advice on exiting the industry

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Tallahassee, May 10, 2022.

  1. Tallahassee

    Tallahassee Bobtail Member

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    I wish i knew some advice on how to exit this industry not sure how much advice i will find on here. After a year and half for working with toxic megas I’m burned out. Not sure if changing to a smaller company with no drama that is family oriented will change my perspective on the industry and how we are treated. That and the two tickets i got almost but not quite 3 years ago are about 3 months from falling off my record so it’s not like i can jump ship anyhow. Those were pre CDL. Since then i have no hickups a clean dac never did drugs exc. I got into the industry because i did department of defense work for 10 years for high profile companies like honey aerospace exc. Really high speed stuff. I’ve always been good with computers and i love working with my hands and building stuff and the office culture just really ducks with my head. I love trucking but the toxic dispatcher and companies trying to short me or telling me to do illegal crap is making my hair fall out. 30 no kids ex pulled a dear john on me 2 months in and I’d like to exit but I’m not sure how, pays alright but at the cost idk anymore. What are good transitional jobs i can persue that don’t require me to change my sex beliefs and opinions at a 4 year institution? It’s hard to learn a trade on the road and i feel sucked in. Thinking i could go and drive local for waste management or something and maybe get back into welding somehow. Any professional drivers here that have had friends leave the industry and find success and how? Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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  3. Tallahassee

    Tallahassee Bobtail Member

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    Thanks china town but i will never go back and serve again. Lol
     
  4. Munch75

    Munch75 Light Load Member

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    Thought about dump trucks? Or trying local ( assuming you were OTR) for a short time to give you free time to invest in a different path?
     
  5. Tallahassee

    Tallahassee Bobtail Member

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    I wanted to double down, and go o/o so other than brokers I’m my own limitation and stressor, but it does not take a rocket scientist to know that this is possibly the worst time to try start in this industry and build self wealth and not go belly under. I left contacting because of cooperate Covid politics exc. The army ain't what it use to be 10 years ago. Inflation is unbearable right now, and i keep looking at local job postings and realizing how much cost of living has gone up for a normal 9-5 gig and how much im just barely breaking even and keep flip floping about leaving, but don’t want to leave unless i have something equal or greater lined up. I’d like to exit and come back on my own terms when the time is right and rates are better.
     
    baha and Another Canadian driver Thank this.
  6. Tallahassee

    Tallahassee Bobtail Member

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    Ive been otr for about a year and 5 and half months now living straight in my truck. That may be the problem i never give myself breathing time.
     
  7. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

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    I would suggest yard jockeying . Will get you regular hours and pay the bills while you contemplate your next move.
     
  8. Tallahassee

    Tallahassee Bobtail Member

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    What should i be expecting for dump truck driving pay wise with my experience? I’m not sure about local i may have to wait for that ticket to fall off, and as you can see in my profile pic the frieght down here is few and far between.
     
  9. Munch75

    Munch75 Light Load Member

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    That would definitely be a problem. Most of us need some down time to de load from all the work related stuff. Traffic, horns, alarms, warnings, radio, basic truck noises etc. Wears ya thin whether you realize it or not. I'm a wuss. My limit is about a week out then I am ready to toss anything that talks, beeps, or makes a sound other than wind out the window. Then I need to go back to the house and get back grounded. Fire up a pipe on the front porch, close my eyes and listen to what nature wants to throw at me.
     
  10. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    Some people starve in a land of plenty.

    DON'T be one of those people.

    If you live in Florida--it's a job hunter's market now.

    With the pandemic pretty much gone there (except for some parts of extreme south FL), and tourism making a comeback, it's a job shopper's paradise.

    I deliver fuel in northern FL, and I see "help wanted" signs everywhere there.

    Employers are suffering from the biggest labor shortage since WW2.

    Soooooo.....if you're looking, at least your timing is good--for the moment.

    Not sure how much longer this tight labor market might last.

    Probably the best gig for you outside of trucking is electrician work.

    Look into financial aid options for tech school, and work on the side (again, options are available all over the place), until you finish a tech school curriculum.

    And stay clean--it's VER-RY hard to keep a good job these days if you use recreational drugs.

    --Lual