Should I OTR

@WesternPlains works for WW Transport and can tell you about those big paychecks. He likes to fuss, so ignore that part.

 

At $15 an hour. You’re getting ripped. There are O/O’s on this site with the nicest Pete’s. Making a ton, doing what you’re doing.
I’d take advantage of your clearance if I were you. Top Secret is required to haul nuclear material. Super top pay.
I like out and back OTR. What I’m doing. Can make money. Where I’m at. Too many problems.

 

Are you single with little to no attachments at home? If yes, and you love driving, OTR is a dream come true. Starting out you should be making $20-25/hour when the truck is rolling (based on mileage pay for most companies of course).

Personally, I generally don't feel like I'm "working" when behind the wheel, especially on a sunny day with little to no traffic on the highway. The only "work" comes in when I have to throw on a tarp.

 

I was thinking about the top secret bit. It's nice. But you really think people who hold that usually do not broadcast that little tidbit.

It has no value in trucking overall. Western Plains said it best, you will want to use it hauling nuclear material or something seriously high level National with your mouth shut about what is in that trailer. You will see the money take care of itself then, no piddling 15 dollar a hour from a tight fisted german coop owner...

 

I know mulitple ex military who hold TS clearance. They usually like to brag out it.

 

My mom has top secret. She does background checks for volunteers at the va hospital.

 

Two words: tanker + hazmat. It's getting to the point where plants will do all the load/unloading and you do all the driving. I like it. And the money is super nice!
Good luck and safe travels!

 

Well, there is a plant in Harrisburg PA that takes in certain cotton or other similar colored materials or paints so to speak to build dollar bills for the Mint to print. The paper itself actually. Which is why our money contains cotton and fibers of a specific nature. You would be hauling that in secrecy.

There are also a number of Defense Depots, some of which probably are nuclear bombs in seacans, I don't know. There have been loads Ive hauled that I knew nothing at all about what is in that box. Say from Summit Depot or into the Navy Depot at Mechanicsburg off 11 I think. (Im reaching into cobwebs here...) Aberdeen took a couple once or twice...) But I don't think the Military will be so stupid as to entrust a pimply faced 21 year old trucker with anything truly serious. Or actually they might. Just because I don't know.

The main thing is you have a Clearance. That HAS to be very useful to someone. I had a forum converstation with a Carrier some months ago here on TTR that were going into NYC for bullion or some other truly important loads under armed gaurds inside the trucks. I had a interest in that because of a little bit of IDF training against terrorist. For what little value that could be improved on with that kind of work. The IDF has no problem using deaf people where appropriate versus our USA military who thinks that deafness is a liability and not even touched. (What a waste...)

But anyway... it's useful to someone. But I would say 99% of trucking and truckers will laugh and snicker teasing you about the classic exnavy seal and all that at the lunch counter if the subject of clearances came up.

I AM NOT Insulting you. Keep that in mind. Totally the opposite. Remember there are masses of people who drive a truck that will NEVER be even looked at as clearance material. I know i can get one if I wanted to myself but... I would hate the exam process that would be necessary for it because I have been a little bit of a hellion in my time decades ago.

 

Secret clearance that you got in the military means zero in civilian trucking. If you need to go into sensitive facilities then facility will conduct their own background check and if you don’t pass they won’t let you in. Period.