Is it really worth it?

i totally agree with china. Had I listened to 99% of the people on this forum, I never would've have made the plunge. Would've been stuck at a job I had a deep sincere hatred for. Hell I could barely stand it for 40hours. I work about 60-70 hours now and happy with the job, wife doesn't hear me ##### about my job. The whole "yea I've been driving for 40 years, but it's HOrId!" mentality is at any career.

 

What a bunch of Debbie Downers.

 

Don't listen to the naysayers. They're telling you to stay away likely because they haven't accomplished anything in the industry, due to their own negligence.

Driving is only 10% of the job. The rest boils down to your knowledge of the industry, knowing who the good employers are, putting in resumes at the right time and how you market yourself.

8 years ago I was a newbie at CR England. I had a 'master plan' then, and it's now starting to unravel itself and come together. I'm 33, and if I play my cards right I can retire at 53 with 2 retirement pensions, and lifetime medical benefits. I love my career decision. It was hard at first, but once I put my time in and got my ears wet, I started to love it even more.

 

How would a 51-year-old new CDL holder (tanker, hazmat, passport card) play a trucking career to maximum advantage, considering a relatively late start in the industry.

 

LTL line haul

Most of those companies will hire new drivers and pay anywhere from 40-60 cpm.

 

Please explain your plan to retire at 53. Are you single with no kids and no bills?

 

I'm married with a step daughter, 2 cars and a mortgage.

Nope, I ain't giving away my plan. You'll have to come up with your own.

 

I'm in the central part of Virginia, btw.

 

Stay home trucking that's not local is horrible. You will make $20,000-$34,000 your first year in trucking and be away from home

 

Well I am doing alright, but you must be doing extremely well