Am I completely 100% off my rocker?

I would stick with the money, stash cash away, retire early, THEN follow my dream.

There's a lot to be said about being with your family every night and weekend, having a set schedule, having cash in the bank, and having a secure future.

I would keep myself happy with side projects until I was comfortable enough to retire (house paid off, kids through school, etc), then hit the open road.

Thats just me though.

 

Think long and hard about it. It's not necessarily a mid-life crisis like some are implying. My husband gave up a job that paid well over 6 figures. He only got to come home on week-ends, and what had once been fun to do had become so odious that his long-term health was in jeopardy. The hospitalization was a wake up call he heeded, It took another year to realize that part of his illness stemmed from how much he loathed what his job had become. He's OTR now, we are substantially poorer, and he is still gone for long stretches. But this time his health is phenomenally better, and he is mentally happier by about 100%. Would he go back to the old job...NO! But, be sure your wife is 100% on board with your decision and that you can make it on a reduced income....or you will regret it!

 

We have seen too many come and go with that" It is going to be what you make it " optimism . It isn't what you make it . It's what traners , dispatchers , and others you have to deal with make it. For a minority of newbies it works. For most it doesn't. The turnover for OTR companies is over 90%.
The ones most likely to make it avoid the training carriers. The expedite carriers like FedEx Custom Critical will put a driver completing a preapproved school right in a straight truck without a trainer. None of this $300 a week codriver for 4 to 6 weeks nonsense.

 

give up 100k a year sitting in an air conditioned office with a suit, to being stranded in slaughter houses for 14 hours with the stench of cow dung sipping into your truck for 35k a year?

yup you gone off the deep end...

i sure would like to know what trucking company u push papers for, im sure theirs bad stuff written here about them search them up so you can see what bs truckers have to endure.

 

Crazy to want to live out a dream? NO......Good idea at this time? maybe not with the country in the financial shape it is in. I agree with one of the other posters....Save your money, retire early then go for it. Trust me when I say that trucking is not all it is cracked up to be. I've been driving 24 years and many times I wish I could of gotten into another profession when I was younger.
Seems to me, you might be more happy if you retired early, bought a motor home and saw the country with your wife, bet you would enjoy it more.

 

A resounding, YES!!!

 

Let e put t to yotis way. It doesn't matter what a person does..if they aren't satisfied or happy doing it the what is the freakin point? Do what gives you the satisfaction in your life..whether its carving wood with a chainsaw, painting picture of a creek or driving a truck.

No, you aren't going to make the kind of money you are making now so here are some factors you need to consider before making the leap..is the house paid for..the cars...kids college? If not..get em paid for first otherwise you are going to lose it all or sel em first and put that money into a good retirement fund..then make the plunge. Get the wife to drive too or ride along..Check out the team Klingon thread on that..Mrs K loves the life for the most part.

Trucking isn't a job or a career..it is a whole way of life..Make sure you talk it through wih your significant other before making the jump.

Seeing as how you aren't flat broke like a lot of new drivers pick a good school with a good program, get enrolled, don't lease or buy a truck for first year..if at the end of that year you and the wife are still having fun..then decide whether to stay company or make the plunge to o/o...

One thing abut that year..it will give you a whole new outlook on drivers..if you go back to the admin side after that year I guarantee policy decisions you mae for whatever company you are with will be different slightly ad for the better because you will have a totally new outlook.

Petey

 

Money isn't everything and you can't take it with you. Happiness is not something you can buy.
On the other hand, financial security is something you want for your family for years to come.
If you are considering leaving a high dollar job, be sure you are, for the most part, debt free. ie: Except for the usuals like mortgage and utilities, you should have no credit debt, car payments, toys you are financing, etc.
And be sure you have the support at home, that your wife is fully understanding the impact the career change may have and that she is comfortable in your current situation. Is the wife employed as well? Does she have activities and a social outlet. Does she have support around her, ie: other family and freinds nearby?
Lots to consider in your situation. Only you know what is right for you and your family.
I always say " If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. If you hate it, you are merely serving a life sentence"

 

Joe, I left a trucking job I had been with for 17 years to go to a factory job. I found I did not like working in a factory at all. Am back trucking and am much happier having tried something else. Not saying you will like trucking, but you will be happier, if you return to your old job, having tried something else. Of you can afford it, go for it. There is a saying I read somewhere, that when you are old, you will be more upset by the things you didn't do, than by the things you did do.

 

Here here!!

Petey