Former Cubicle Dwellers: How does trucking compare?

Former process engineer.

Much prefer otr. Especially as and o/o

 

You got that right. Keep in mind though that with most trucking jobs, if it turns out you do hate it, you don't go home after 8 hours and forget about it until the next day.

Personally I love it and the only regret is not getting started in it sooner.

 

over the three years you will have a chance to do real research on this industry and then go into it with your eyes wide open. If I were you I would hook up with a buddy truck driver and spend a few days or more in a big truck- a few times.Learn about the different types of trucking, LTL, Reefer , flat bed, step deck, tanker, grain, dump- all have different challenges. I would probably get my straight truck license and work part time somewhere where I get to drive heavy straight trucks. Maybe get a CB in your SUV so you can listen to what the truckers are talking about on the highways you drive. Sometimes it is amazing what is going on that 4 wheelers don't have a clue about.
I would suggest you get up early in the morning, roll out of bed and drive to the nearest truck stop for your constitutional and maybe a shower. Or maybe you could wait a few days before you have a shower.
Stop eating at home for a week and see what its like to eat at junk food restaurants for a week or more

Maybe you could move all your wifes shoes out of the closet and put a mattress in there for the two of you to spend your 10.

This all sounds negative and it is the negative side of trucking. For all this there is way more good stuff but I'm sure you have a handle on that

BTW- my buddy has his tickets in plumbing, gas, HVAC etc and he makes more than twice per hour than I do.

 

I'm assuming your talking to me I make $14.50 per hr . on avg about $27,000 a yr.. I think as a team with my wife we can clear at least $75,000+ a yr after the 1st yr ..

I have been researching for about 6 months now.. I will continue ... When I was young I was a carney for about 5 yrs .. I know what living on the road out of a backpack is like .. I loved it...

I also did a lot of hitchhiking (100,000+ miles) and rode in alot of trucks, I even slept in a few .. like a baby..

I have wanted to be a OTR Trucker since I was 17 .. just never worked out .. in a few yrs it will really be my last chance to live my dream..age is catching up with me ..
Its a lifestyle and one I feel I'm quite well suited for IMO.. Hopefully in the near future I will at least get a shot at it ..

 

Yes LOL- just realized what I did. I really do hope it works for both of you.

 

I used to have a "desk" job working in technowlogy. I was also well past the burnt out stage. I left a 50k a year job to drive with my wife. She made more than I did her first year on the road. I will say on MOST days it was the best decision I have ever made. I do not regret it. I like being a paid tourist. True there are downsides, but there are those in ANY job you might find.

 

never worked in a cubicle, but worked in an office environment with a lot of field work

i would NEVER go back

this is why i resent DOT and corporations trying to make the cab of my truck into an office, it is not, it is not subject to the politics, rules or oversight

give me the load, let me deliver it safely and in a timely manner and butt out of my life and my truck

driving a truck is a job, it pays the bills, but to ENJOY the road makes all the difference in the world

 

I've had office jobs.. IT stuff really. But I got tired of the office culture and getting asked for constant updates and ETAs, reports, pointless meetings, etc...

I like being OTR for the most part. No one bugging me! (except other drivers) But I often get tired of driving 600 miles a day.

Probably the thing that I dislike the most, is not being able to enjoy hobbies and interests that you can only really do from a home.

 

I often wondered about hobbies when you're a driver.

 

Thanks for this thread. In same position... going from white collar work to OTR, part time. I've gotten a bit discouraged with all the talk of what faces new drivers. More than a week away from home? Not for me.

No tickets...no accidents... no drugs. VERY steady work history including decades of working with the public. I am hoping it will help in the end.