Do I get into trucking or take new local job? Suggestions please

In my opinion both are crappy options. Working 40 hours a week just to keep your head above water vs living out of a truck for 30 cpm. Only you can answer if you want a less stressful job and be home daily and on weekends or possibly make a bit more money but have virtually no life beyond drive, sleep, eat, rinse and repeat.

I'm in the same position as you OP, don't know what to do either.

 

.30 cpm is too low. Pick a different company. Jim Palmer Trucking starts new drivers at .40 cpm +.05 cpm addition for fuel savings + accessorial pays and trucks have APU.

 

Do know if Jim Palmer has a refresher program for drivers that have been off the road for a while?

 

I was in this situation myself with my former employer and the other drivers that I worked with. A real negative environment where everyone ratted on each other, and backstabbed. It is very, very common. At least in the motor coach bus industry it is, or it was when I drove for the 14 years that I did. Hence why I'm now trying to obtain the Class A license and into trucking. See the country, get paid for it, hustle for the miles, try to keep clean the first year, like I did when I first started driving coaches and all should fall into place. You come to realize it is bad when your own former Union, and your supposed "Union brothers" screw you. I agree with your sentiments Chinatown and I just wanted to add to it.

 

I believe that trucking is a much better option as it is something you can still do in your 70's. Warehouse work is dying because more and more companies are going to rolling warehouses called trucks.

There might even be a future in taking a lumper with you in a truck. I will have to do some pondering on that.

 

Provided your health keeps up and you can pass a DOT physical at 70 years of age.

 

Give OTR a shot... Run hard for a year or two minimum to really see if you like it or hate it.

No strings at home is probably the best way to try it... Having a social life outside the truck is hard but possible.

Personally, I love the ever changing views.

 

Yes, @akfisher will attend that soon.

 

Yep I have been local Tanker but off OTR since 2010 and they said for sure. Already have me scheduled for orientation

 

Is orientation in Montana or do they have other terminals? Do they fly or bus you out? Also, do you know if they hire from central Florida?