Looking to leave stable career to go OTR..

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Hanadarko, Oct 4, 2009.

  1. Hanadarko

    Hanadarko Independent Owner/Operator

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    Haole,
    Thats a good idea. I would bet I would be approved if I tried but I don't like to do credit apps when it's iffy.

    Thanks-

    -H
     
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  3. wsyrob

    wsyrob Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Or just dump that extra money on the mortgage and pay it off early.
     
  4. Sabine in Mo

    Sabine in Mo Medium Load Member

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    Would it not be cheaper to buy a sports car and get a girlfriend? All kidding aside, you are a grown man, and you can do as you please. Can you honestly say, that the price you may have to pay is worth doing this?

    Whatever problems you have at home that you want to run away from will only be magnified by doing this. It will add extreme stress to both your lives, and unfortunately you may not be able to deal with it right then and there. It may be weeks until you are home. Trucking is not this "romantic" cowboy lifestyle. It is a job. With super long hours. You complain that you are stuck in your cubicle for 8 hours a day. Whooppie! Try being stuck in the truck, day in and day out for 24 hours a day. You do have a better view through the windshield than a concrete wall, but I guaranty you, that you will hardly have a chance to enjoy much of it.

    Trucking is tough right now. Most of us are by far not as busy as we used to be. Winter is coming, and before you go that you know about winter driving....you do in a car. Totally different ball game in a truck. You would be much better off to wait till about March to start this, and get the summer to get used to the job without dealing with winter weather.

    Deal with your problems and life at the home front first,then do your thing. It is not fair to your wife to just dump this on her because you are unhappy.

    Last, remember, trucking truly is not what you envision it is. Sure there are days when the scenery is beautiful, you have a few hours extra to stop, and life is great. Unfortunately 99 out of 100 times, you don't have the time to smell the roses. When you do have the time you will be stuck in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do.

    And last, are you prepared to work 14 hours a day, every day, for maybe $750 a week?
     
  5. doubledragon5

    doubledragon5 Road Train Member

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    My question is why in the world did you get your CDL, and spend all the money and never use it? To me right there you wasted money, as no one will hire you unless you go and shell out more $$$ for retraining.. If you would have started driving when you first got your license back in 92, things might be different for you now. Who knows you might have made decent money and even retired by now..
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2009
  6. Sabine in Mo

    Sabine in Mo Medium Load Member

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    Another thing, you mention being called away during your daughters wedding. You might as well give up any illusions of making any event. Instead of being called away you will probably just miss it all together.
     
  7. Hanadarko

    Hanadarko Independent Owner/Operator

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    I got my CDL and my life turned virtually immediately thereafter.
    So it wasn't planned -thats for sure.
    When I moved here to WI soon after, I expected to work in transport and got a major break into IT within 2 weeks. I went to college for IT and since I had no work, I opted to get my CDL and then the work came through. I fully understand I need retraining and don't care about that or the cost involved (honestly) - but so far, not a single person has said anything 'positive' about trucking at this time. So far now, I am still sitting on the sidelines and waiting things out. At some point I want to pursue my dream...but when I guess is the question.


    :biggrin_2556:

    -H
     
  8. IdahoPhil

    IdahoPhil Medium Load Member

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    I agree with most of the previous posts about waiting awhile before you make this big change. I would say at least until spring so you have more time to get used to the job before next winter hits.
    I was in a smilar situation in 2007 and just up and quit my job in the summer, but by the time I went thru trucking school and got a job, it was November here in the Northwest! I will have to admit, my pay is better than what it was in my previous job, and my house is paid off, but I also am not really OTR either. I'm doing more like a hybrid of dedicated/local/regional, so I'm home about every other day or so.
    Sounds like your biggest obstacle will be convincing your wife. Maybe you need to research it more and get her involved in that process, I'm sure she wouldn't mind helping you. After all, in a marriage, it's a 50/50 decision.
     
  9. JohnnyC

    JohnnyC Light Load Member

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    Been where you are and am now completing my 7th month after separating from my former 100k + paying job. All I can say is my wife says she likes me again. I love my job again. I make less than I used to spend on lunch and coffee most weeks but I love it. I understand your situation. If my old company offered to double my salary I would not go back. It's like being born again. Look for a local company that does OTR and do it.
     
    ScubaDoo and Hanadarko Thank this.
  10. SuchatruckinLady

    SuchatruckinLady Light Load Member

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    My situation is not the same as the original poster's, but it is somewhat similar. These posts are absolutely making me rethink what I'm doing. I have to go somewhere to pray this over and make an important phone call in the AM, but I thank everyone of you for your honest insight.
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2009
  11. Hanadarko

    Hanadarko Independent Owner/Operator

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    What I am getting out of all of this is the following:

    1. If you have a decent (stable) job, stay put.
    2. If you like being home, stay put.
    3. If you like current vacation, stay put.
    4. If you like current health insurance, stay put.

    John put it best (few posts above) in that he finally didn't care about the loss of money. The cut in pay and supposed 'freedom' was worth it.

    See, thats where I am at. But if anything changes in my situation I would take the risk. Right now all I can do is sit on the sidelines and think.

    -H
     
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