Should have gone to college

Well your only 21 , so its not out of the ? you can still go to college.

 

I hear you man...

I was the same way, I got my CDL around 20, was drawn to the chrome and loud pipes on the long hood Peterbilts and KW's too.

It's tough out there, but you never know. College isn't a magic bullet either; I know guys with bachelors degrees, who have been looking for jobs for three years and/or working whatever retail jobs until they can "find a job in their field".

Your still really young, you can still go to school...

I agree, much of trucking is way under paid - I know a 22 year old plumber with a house and new Lexus...other trades are paid way better.

 

Trucking is not a TRADE , it is what some refer to as a " LIFE STYLE "

 

I got out of the Army and got my CDL at age 21.
I drove local for several years and made pretty good money doing it, but decided to go to college.
Did my 4 years, got a BS in Recreation and Outdoor edu with a minor in Biology. (started with Wildlife Management, but found out parks jobs were going to rec guys).
paid for college with driving. No loans. No help.

Played around with degree type jobs for a while. Pay was not any better. And eventually came back to driving. If I had found my dream park or forest job I would have stayed doing that. But they are just too darn hard to get.
The money in trucking has stayed stable for years. This is really not a good thing. Since what was ok money in 1991 when I started is not as good in 2011. And it is literally the same take home now as then.
While the cost of everything has gone up close to 100% since then.
Put it this way, a mid level car new in 1991 was around 13 grand. Now that same car would be 30 grand.

 

I still consider the local driving of a CMV a "trade like" job. OTR is a lifestyle.

The statement I made is more along the line as - other blue collar jobs pay way better...

 

I have my degree and after working for the state for the last 8 years I am getting laid off. I have been living in that over paid teachers lifestyle (yea right) for all that time. Now I am 47 and starting over. There are no teacher's positions here as enrollment is down and the politicians think that teachers should be paid on their student's performance. Ever try to teach a kid that has a third grade reading level in high school and is more interested in not learning and living his hoodlum lifestyle? The grass is always greener.

 

you'd probably be just as disapponted with the degree and a desk. I know I was/am. with the wasted time and money and having to deal with 80 employees who all feel that THEY are my only employee and their needs are more important than anyone else's.....and then there's the customer(s), who set unrealistic goals and breathe down my neck when they aren't met, even though THEY are the one who is responsible for the kind of work we get.....can't meet a goal of 6.5lbs/cubic foot when all you get is product that weighs 4lbs/cubic foot.....but don't tell them they are the problem.....I as manager am solely accountable......then there's the lack of support from executive management who also demand results.....and then there are the union employees who, with a little overtime, make more than I do as a senior manager......yeah, that degree really paid off......

and after all of that and 15 years of dedication, commitment and month over month profits, layoff is coming june 1st.....

grass isn't always greener.......how many times have I seen that said in these forums? haha so true.......

 

That's why the most fulfilling career you can have is to find something you like/love, and pursue that.

 

SO TRUE! Thats all you can do U4EA!