Do I have a future in the Trucking industry? Brutal honesty please.

If ya have some capitol and can handle the bewildering array of regulations and paperwork, it's quite possible to start yer own trucking company. My brother and I are doing it. Ready to haul our first load this week. But it ain't for everyone for sure. If I weren't a mechanic we'd have to have a lot more money than we've used to get started. The profit potential is higher but the risks and headaches are higher as well. We've done it because we want the freedom of being in control of our own lives. And previous employment records are irrelevant. As far as that goes I don't exist, I'm 48 and never been officially employed by anyone ever in my life. My folks bought land when I was 20 and I've cut timber on it ever since for my main income. But I'm done, need to wait 30 years for it to grow before cutting more, so I'm starting a trucking business. The last few thousand $'s I got from timber has gone into starting the business, as well as selling off most of my accumulated junk, scrap iron. I think my days of manufacturing my own logging machines is finished. We're starting with a one ton truck car hauling, have an experienced dispatcher to help us get going. We'll start with a few short hauls to get a feel for how it's all going to work. And then go for some longer trips. Maybe 4 or 5 days out at a time for awhile. We already have a second one ton truck, just needs an engine and tranny, and a semi may be not too many months away. By the time we get a semi we may be ready to hire a driver. We intend to stay away from debt, although we're doing a little on credit as we get close to the starting line. We have aging parents to care for and I have horses that need a certain amount of attention. So we can't just hit the road and stay there.

 

I would say find a new line of work to pursue. But thats just me.

 

This is an interesting thread. In my opinion lots of misunderstanding.

First. Trucking is more then a job it is a lifestyle for a lot of us. Wages vary, from $34,000 to well over $100,000. Local jobs will pay on the low end. Owner Operators can make over $250,000. Education does not get in the way. I have a PhD in Physics. It does get in the way if you think you are too good to be a trucker. Trucking takes a skill that is learned by doing it. No school can teach you the theory of backing up. It takes hands on experience. You mentioned driving a trash truck as though it was a sacrifice, it is a very good job and an important one. If the teachers went on strike and the trash haulers went on strike, which one would you think would effect your life more?

I lived in West Africa for 19 years. I also spent 8 months in prison. I passed background checks with no problem. I have my TWIC, Hazmat and all the endorsements. My school was a community college for trucking, Fort Scott Community College in Kansas City, KS.

Men are attracted to Asian women because of the differences in cultures. Asian women tend to be more reserved. One problem is that they also tend to be more abused by American men then any other group. So be very kind to your wife.

Russian and Ukrainian women online are involved in a lot of scams. Mob type. Be very, very careful.

There is a large shortage of truckers in this country and it is only going to get larger. That is why you are seeing more and more foreign born drivers. Do you think a background check is harder to pass for a US Citizen who lived abroad or a Bosnian?

Do not go into a interview with an inferiority complex. If you do you will end up working for inferior wages from an inferior company. If newbies would understand basic economics wages would go up.

You know that there is more diesel in a barrel of oil then gasoline. Therefore diesel should be less then the price of gasoline. It is higher because diesel is the main fuel used overseas. Therefore the spread of the prices is a good indication of the strength of the US economy versus the world economy. That spread has narrowed sharply. The US Economy is taking off. Trucking jobs will be in great demand over the next three years as inventories build up. This is a good time to be in trucking.

 

What did you do in Africa? Wasn't it very dangerous, especially for an American?

 

I lived in Nigeria. It got dangerous but I was too naive to worry about it. I was very well paid and had a good security team. The Romanian Embassy backed up to my property and we had and agreement with them. Living overseas is a different adventure.

Now, if I was young, I would recommend everyone try it. Turkmenistan in Central Asia was my favorite place to live. Going to place like that are what the old time cowboys would have done. The Wild West is now in the East.