Not sure this is the right career for me

best come back ever!

 

Truemac, thanks for bumping this thread with your updates. Had I seen this when you first posted I'd have given the same advise as many have already given:

"Give it a year" - my dad (may he RIP)

That was advise my dad always gave me whenever I was taking on a new job. Always give it a year, because that's generally how long it takes to get over the most major hurdles and learning curve. If you give up earlier than that, then you are in danger of developing a quitter's mentality, which is never a good thing.

I came back into trucking with my eyes wide open a couple of years ago. I KNEW in advance that the first year or two would be "boot camp" with relatively low pay. I actually signed on with Swift in spite of numerous complaints against the company on this forum after visiting terminals of four candidate companies nearby my home. Swift by far had the best reception, inviting me to walk through (unattended) the dispatch and planning area, talk with the recruiter on site, invited to go to the driver's lounge and talk with the drivers, and invited me to walk the yard and inspect the equipment. Almost two years into working with Swift I've made more money than I'd expected, now working as a mentor/trainer, and have very few complaints.

"Have a Plan, Work the Plan" - dad

Whatever you get into, always have a plan. Whether entering a customer's yard and figuring out how to set up to back into a dock, figuring out how to get from Albuquerque to St. George, Utah, or figuring out the steps of your career; always have a Plan and Work that plan.

It sounds like you've developed a good Plan and are Working it, having Stuck To It. Stay safe and may the wind be at your backside.

 

prime has home daily accounts? sweet

 

Glad to hear you are doing well.
The trucking industry has many little nitch pockets of dedicated stuff. And most of the large company's have them, but you have to look. Sometimes you happen to live in the right place so it is offered, due to the expanding of a contract, other times you have to ask around. You got lucky to be in the right place at the right time, so you did not have to wait for it. Hopefully they will keep the contract so you can stay on it.

 

You have to remember this...Truck drivers are a special breed and take pride in what you do. I ran the road for years and it was tough at times because My children were little and I missed some very important moments of their lives. Now my kids are older and I can't bring back the past to witnessed all that I have missed so, yes it is hard but like everyone has said push through being homesick because it will get better. My oldest son just bought his first truck so I will be quiting my job that I am home everyday with so I can go on the road with him. during the summer we are going to take my other kids along as well. For me this is my way of making up for that time I lost when they were younger.

 

That there has got to be one of the moments of your life that gives you the most pride. Congratulations to the both of you. You've BOTH done well.

 

Walmart will grab you by the balls and won't let go until you retire, no matter what the color of your truck. I am assuming, you have the same job as me. Going from store to store, collecting stickers. But I've been itching to go OTR, or walmart 48, because I still haven't been in every state. Honestly it gets repetitive afterwhile, same roads, same people, but when you look at the paycheck, then everything changes.