Is ANYONE happy?

I am happy, I think it is in the truckers nature to ##### and moan..... Getting local work after only one year of OTR in my area is very hard. Not sure in your area...

 

I drive a lot of miles. So I make decent money, Im fairly new. I am happy so far. Its really not such a big deal to go out for 3 or 4 weeks and be home for 3 or 4 days. Theres worse jobs out there.

 

Ive been driving for about 4 months now. Its flatbed. Im home every weekend and occasionaly a night during the week if the load takes me near home. Ive made decent money and overall I like what im doing and I really like the company. Stay away from the mega companies. Go with a smaller company that hires students and you will probably fare better.

 

I like the fact that when I wake up in the morning, I have no idea where I am. Yes, that sounds silly, but this lifestyle suits me. Then again, I'm not married, have no kids, and hate playing house. Trucking is not for everyone. Seems to be one of those careers, ya either love it or hate it.

If you want local work out of the LA area, I'd check into the ports hauling intermodal containers off the ships.

 

It's not just truckers, but it's human nature to post the negative. Remember... there's always two sides to every story and you're just hearing one side. A while back I researched a couple negative posts and after hearing the other side, it all made sense. Plenty of folks are just posting sour grapes. Some are legit however.
This industry isn't for everyone, but I sure like it!

 

I know i complain at times but in the end i still enjoy my job.
The gig i have now has me home every weekend and a night or two during the week.
All 2011 trucks and trailers that are assigned and we bring them home.
I had my runs finished by WED. afternoon this week so i get a long weekend.
We know a week in advance what runs we have,keys to our stops so we can deliver anytime day or night and run as hard as we want.

This is a small company and it took some time to find a job like this but they are out there.
Just get some years under your belt,keep your record clean and you can pretty much pick your job.

 

Personally I wouldn't do it with family at home. Yes you can land a local job, but its going to take time and you are going to be away from your family for long periods of time until then. Also I live in Florida and the pay rate for local drivers isn't really the greatest. I wouldn't spend the money to go to school just to drive locally. Now if you could get your wife to do it with you that would be a different story. You guys would make really good money and would be together while doing it.

 

I'm basically happy out here - but then I have my 'home/husband' with me plus the view from my office is AWESOME!!