I'm 18 - should I become a trucker in a few years? Need advice...

Lilbit · Dec 27, 2008

Luis said: ↑

True education comes first that's what im, always told remember education comes first.
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That is correct! Without education, nothing else productive can happen.

andrew5184 · Dec 28, 2008

madbunny said: ↑

Driving a truck is not a career and for those of you who think it is that is probably why you struggle with all the so called down side. Driving is in your blood it's your passion there is nothing else you want to do. It's not a second career (it can be) a way between two means (it can be). A good driver does it because it a passion. There isn't anywhere else I want to be but behind the wheel. I have a college degree in business, I'm a successful owner operator and didn't shut down due to the price of fuel this summer, nor did I whine about the price of fuel or anything else. I run my own authority and have been for the past 28 years.

As far as you being 18 and thinking about it....if you're thinking about it maybe you should think about it more in college. You know it in your gut and you have the taste of diesel in your heart. I don't come from anyone in my family driving a truck, it was something I wanted to do at a very early age but I didn't want anyone to own me. I got the degree in business to be a successful businessman.

I'm old school, I didn't have trucking school I was taught by the neighbor down the street. But that was back when it was allowed by the insurance companies....everything has changed since then. I worked every summer with him, we teamed and ran coast to coast 7 days a week and just for good measure when I was off on Christmas break I was back in the truck to learn how to drive on ice and snow.

No one can make the decision for you if this is right for you. Some of the cons are...you miss alot of family things (remember you're working), holidays don't become such an important thing anymore, you've got to learn that you are the "professional" driver regardless how the 4-wheelers drive it will be your fault if you're involved in any mishap. You have to have patience for shippers, receivers and everyone you come in contact with and to most people you are the low life of the country. You'll learn that it is a mostly a lonely life on the road and what once was brothers of the road is now everyone for themselves. Long hours and hard work and don't let anyone tell you it's not. This is not a 40 hour work week...it's a 70 hour work week.

Some of the pros....you are a free spirit (company drivers within reason), you get to see the country (some of it a night), you'll meet some fantastic people and make some friends that you can count on, you can look someone in the eye and know if they are lying, you have the satisfaction knowing you did the best you could at the end of the day.

Stay in school or drive a truck....ask a driver and you'll get a different answer from each one you ask. What should you do....you need to ask yourself and be honest with yourself in the answer.
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I know I'm late responding to this, but I had to say thank you to madbunny. It's nice to know I'm not the only freak in the world. I too have a business degree, and trucking is the first thing I think about in the morning, the last thing I think about at night, and every thought in between. There is no other word to describe it other than passion. What else can drive (pardon the pun) a person to be away from the ones he loves and put up with the cons of the business? If you're just looking for a way to make money, you probably won't be too happy. You'll make some money, but not enough to offset the frustration.

Growing up, I remember people saying, find something you enjoy, something you'd do for free, and choose that as your career. Personally, I'd drive a truck for free if I didn't have bills to pay. But then again, I'm a freak.

Andrew

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