Looking to change career in January, 2021

You raise an interesting point. I started as a company driver not too long ago and at the end of my corporate career. My plan was to learn the biz as best I could and then move into my own truck. I figured once I had my own truck, life would be easy and I'd work on my terms. Kinda like the semi-retirement you're hoping to achieve.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

I've kept to the plan, with one exception. I'm working as much, if not more, than when I had a "regular" job. So much for semi-retirement in the traditional sense. The BIG difference now is that I really enjoy what I do and most of the time, it doesn't really feel like work. Except for today after a batch of a week I can't rest because I've got an air line on my transmission that needs to be changed out. Today, I really wish that was a company truck because there's nothing more I'd like to do than enjoy this beautiful weather we're finally having.

 

Just remember....... If you do a lot of short runs, there are times you will bump up against your 14. But.......waiting at docks is Off Duty time, so it does not count against your 70 hour clock. Learning to manage your clock is one of the most important things you can do to maximize your miles. More miles......bigger paycheck. I had to teach myself clock management and trip planning. Most of us do. Running a team clock with your trainer is completely different than a solo clock. I like to consider myself quite efficient at clock management and trip planning. It is a process. It won't happen overnight. I went thru lots of trial and error, LOTS OF ERROR, to find a system that works for me. Send me a PM, and I would be happy to share my experience with you. I am 4-5 years from retirement myself, although, I run tons of miles and stay out for 11-12 weeks at a stretch, on a giant push to bank as much money as possible. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Good for you. You will have some long and some short days. As you start working your clock, you will be able to look ahead (or behind) on your clock and see the short days coming up. At that point you can try to " bank" a few hours here and there to "carry forward" to those short days. Congrats on the good start. Remember......GOAL GOAL GOAL.

 

Hope all is going well for you.

 

It definitely isn't for everyone and you gave it a go.
You now know what you don't like so maybe you try to find some kind of trucking you can settle into..either way good luck going forward.

 

I had high hopes for you......but really......2 weeks? You didn't even give it a chance. This industry has a high washout rate......welcome to the 95%. Good luck