Career Change or Not?

As far as bad road conditions go, most co. leave it up to the driver to keep rolling or park. Also if it gets too bad most states will close the roads. Even if you move back east, chances are that you will still run west(unless you get a regional run). I would look for a co. that mostly runs teams, and one that runs air freight for co.s like fedex/UPS. These loads are mostly drop & hook, are lite(wich is nice in the mountains), and you only have to avg. 50 mph wich is no problem for a team.

 

It snows in the east too just ask the guys that run I 80.....LOL!!!! We have little mountains here, but when your going down hill it all looks the same.......

 

I'm 41 and I've been turning wrenches my whole life, and been doing industrial maintenance since I got out of the Army in 92 but I'm burnt out and looking for something new. I'm not looking too get rich just to stay in the 40 to 50 k a year bracket is this possible for a new driver???
I would consider driving team.

 

I'm pretty much in the same boat you are I'm 43 and been in construction all my life now I'm in maintenance,always wanted to drive for a living but never got around to it,from what I've been reading with the right company I think it's possible to make it in lower 40's as a new driver.
My plan is to stick it out in the papermill where I work now (if they don't shut down and go to China like anything else)until my kids get older and than hit the road.

 

Hey Guys,
I am also employed in industrial maintenance and totally burnt out after 27+ years! Its really a big jump from that line of work to taking a seat in a truck for a living. I am still on the fence about making the jump even though I know I would probably do well. It all comes down to family responsibility and the willingness to take a severe pay cut for the first couple years while learning the ropes. Luckily my wife is very supportive of my dreams but its still a very hard decision to make as you guys probably know! Best of luck with your future plans.

Take Care,

 

Well one thing I've noticed is that I have read about a lot of truck drivers on forums saying they love what they're doing and it really gets in your blood,but I haven't met a maintenance worker yet who could say that about their job.
And that brings me to another subject,you hear a lot of talk about truckers and unskilled labor blah blah blah,personally I think truck drivers are very highly skilled to be able to navigate that 80,000 lbs beast down the highway and streets without getting people killed or injured.
It makes me sick when I see a sign somewhere "No truckers allowed or no truck parking",and hell I'm not even a trucker,but I think people don't realize who delivers all our little luxuries and groceries and everything else we can lay our eyes on around us.
Anyway,just my opinion for whatever it's worth......

 

It will be hard to make 40-50 your first year. A more realistic number is the mid 30's until you get more experance. I know a driver that made mid 60's in his second year. It's like any other job, if you want the money you have to work for it. In order to to get the miles you first have to gane the trust and respect of your dispacther. You have to be on time every time, and take every load. The fastest way to get your miles cut is to refuse a load. If you can show your dispatcher that you can run, and stay focused(keep the right door shut and the wheels rolling), then you can make 50+ no problem. As far as the team vs. solo, you will make more money as a solo driver. About the only way you come out ahead runing team is if it is with a spouse.