Should I become a trucker?

Something else you could do, instead of getting rid of your house altogether, just rent it out? That way if you decide trucking is not for you, youll still have a home to go back to? If trucking turns out good, the rent will help cover the difference in the before and after salary?

 

The biggest downside, I think, is you are held to being super human. There are two standards in this life-the one most people live by and then theres the "Trucker" standard, which is set much much higher than the one everyone else lives by. The Walmart Driver is a perfect example. If he had a bad past driving history, the media would have nailed him to the cross already. Obviously, he had a clean record until this incident. For one accident, he is facing 10-15 years in prison and the loss of his driving career. What other occupation in the world is that hard on one mistake? And there are plenty in which a mistake could involve the loss of a human life.

 

It's one of the reasons I got out of trucking, because after 35 years, and seeing all the crashes, and maybe because, as you get older, those things bother you more. In my 2.5 million miles, I only had one accident, only a month after starting TT, but it sure opened my eyes as to what can happen, and I never forgot it. I wouldn't let that stop you from becoming a driver, however, just never lose the thought, that it can happen, and I see comments from ####y drivers here, thinking it will never happen to them, only because it hasn't yet, and I hope for their sake, and others on the road, it never does, but in my 2.5 million miles, I never got ####y like that, because I know what can happen, no matter how many miles you have under your belt. The fact that you checked out this site to ask experienced drivers what to do, shows you are headed the right way. Early on, I did the same thing, only no internet, just talking to old-timers, and it helped a lot, best of luck.

 

Look at it this way Wade; every day you live is one day less you have left to live. I say go for it. You can still have your internet, television, computer in the truck. Many trucks interiors today look like a office/bachelor pad. Go to a good CDL school that's 160 hrs. or longer and don't apply to the usual suspects trucking companies. Go for a good company that has APU's so you can enjoy your TV, computer, etc. on down time.

Before you jump ship, get a DOT physical to make sure there's nothing wrong to keep you from acquiring a CDL; blood pressure, high sugar levels, etc.

Check the sealiftcommand website; maybe something there for you. Civil service job, travel the world, retire in 20 yrs.

 

8) This is a frighteningly Dangerous business.
9) no girls (except for lizards).
10) Disrespect
11) No access to stress-relief.

Have you considered other options ?

Disaster Services Management for the Red Cross with a specialty in communication is a good volunteer job that can provide a man of your caliber with an interesting distraction from the corporate rat-race a few times each year. (maybe don't ask me why I know this).
And you get to keep your $-job & life & such.
Travel, do important step stuff, help.
Shake hands with the president etc etc.

 

Hi, did you mean me? Avoidable? Yes and no. I was following another 18 coming into a construction zone in the right lane, when a 4 wheeler HE was tailgating, slammed on the brakes. At that same instant, I pulled into the left lane to pass, he nails the 4 wheeler in the left rear, and spins her sideways right in front of me. I didn't even have time to hit the brakes, and I t-boned her, and the impact made me jack-knife into the median, the truck went up on 9 wheels, the dump trailer I was pulling(loaded) snapped the 5th wheel off, the trailer went over and the truck came back down.. The people in the car were hurt pretty bad, but pulled through, and at the trial, it turned out to be 60% 4 wheeler fault, 30% other 18's fault, and 10% my fault. I should have backed off, and not passed the 18, but never thought he'd spin her out in front of me. Like I say, that was a long time ago, and I'm sure the outcome of the trial would be much different today. My boss was a great guy, and put me in another truck that next day. His reasoning, get back on your horse and ride. I had little things happen, but never anything like that again.