is it worth it?

Like I said, LTL is the way to go.
I'll do $80k after this last bid cycle and home every night and off every weekend/holiday.
Plus excellent health and retirement bennies, to boot.

There's also private fleets like Wal-Mart (they have a big DC near Columbus), and some other niche areas of the biz that still pay good and get you home.

If he can put up with OTR for a couple of years and keep a clean MVR/DAC...this might be something to consider.

Otherwise, he should run not walk away from this biz...

 

This would be my exact plan. This and other trucking sites actually can offer TOO MUCH info. I can easily find opinions and posts that contradict one another, and it does get confusing deciding whether or not to pursue this career. Some say the naysayers are just a bunch of whiners with negative attitudes. That may be true with some posters, but there are too many good, experienced drivers out there with negative opinions about this business to think that the whiners are in the majority. I doubt very many people going into this career started out with a negative attitude. There has got to be reasons they have developed, and can’t be disregarded. The fact that the turnover rate for drivers is so high speaks volumes, and gives a lot of credibility to the naysayers. Hell, I’ve never even driven a truck yet and I’m already getting a negative attitude toward the business by some of the stories I’ve read. If I go into this profession (I’m still 50 – 50) then I’ve decided I’d do OTR for no more than a year (less if possible) just to get experience. Then I’d move on to a local job where I’m home daily. I’d be willing to move anywhere in the country, so I think I could land something locally somewhere in the country. OTR is not bad for those who are single with no family ties. That was my case not so long ago, and I wouldn’t have minded doing OTR a few years ago. Things have changed, and I’m not willing to destroy my relationship because of a truck.

 

If the truck destroys the relationship it wasn't much of one any way. If you or anybody feel that being gone from home will destroy what you have, its only a matter of time and he/she will be gone.

 

Keep in mind these are all opinions. Don't base your career decisions on the "truckers report". You CAN make money driving a truck whether it be local or otr. You are going to get exactly what you put into it. Yes there are factors like stated previously such as breakdowns, freight slow, holidays, etc... You can have a $50 paycheck one week and a $1200 paycheck the next. You need to be prepared for that and this happens in a lot of careers. Truck driving recruiters and school recruiters will paint you a romantic picture of trucking! It can be a great career and adventure! It can also be a nightmare! Some of the drivers on here I think are just trying to help you and show you both sides. Maybe a ride along with somebody could help you make a decision. Good luck!

 

I have to repectfully disagree. I've heard countless stories (on these boards and other sources) how trucking has ruined relationships, marriages, and families. Too many stories to think all those relationships could´ve been bad. There are a few who can do it, but a lot of people are not cut out for seeing a spouse for only a couple of days every 4 - 6 weeks.

 

Well maybe so but, if I have to worry about her leaving because I'm gone working she can pack her bag now. I will even help,write a check for the new apt. ect. Life is to short to worry about what he/she is doing while your gone. Its right or its not and if you have the right relationship you know.

 

well what happens is the trucker is doing the lot lizard thing and the wife is having fun with her friends...if ya know what i mean....and then its only a matter of time. The sex drive is a powerful thing.

 

Well not every driver is doing the lot lizard thing. Not every wife is out doing her own thing. If they are dump them because you are not with the right one any way. I'm on wife number four and life is still moving forward.

 

Thanks Chompi! I'm not basing my decision solely on what I find here on the truckers report. I'm looking at other sources as well. I do have to consider all opinions, both good and bad, from drivers who know what they´re talking about. Again I have to go back and look at the high driver turnover rate. That's not an opinion, but fact. I've read 85% of first year drivers don't make it a year. That's about the same attrition rate of U.S. Navy SEAL training. I've also read that the overall turnover rate is over 100 percent. There has to be a reason for it. There may be some who went into the career not knowing what they were getting into, but it just stands to reason that with those numbers there are those who did their homework, researched the career, got their CDL and really gave it their best shot, and it still found they had to drop out. I will agree with what you say, than you can make a living at this if all goes right, but it does seem that the odds are against it. Maybe I'm just getting cynical in my old age, but I'm just trying to be realistic about what I've discovered so far. I still haven't decided to give up on this, and finding someone with which to ride along is an excellent suggestion, but given the info out there I think it’s understandable why I’ve come to the conclusion I so far have. But of course, my opinion is subject to change as I continue to research this.

 

rayodeluz: get your CDL, go OTR for a year or two & learn the ropes. When you finally get tired of the bs, ungratful shippers--recievers, overpriced lumpers & other obnoxious people that you meet on the road. Than find a local job, where you can be home everynight. Good luck in your next adventure.