The perfect life for me? (Or, getting into trucking when there is nothing left...)

You have a hip problem, and you want to be climbing in and out of a truck all day or night?
Good luck with that.

And, as many have mentioned, if it is your left hip clutching in heavy traffic or towns could cause you even more problems.

There is always something other than trucking. And with your disability it doesn't sound like trucking is the thing for you.

 

With hip and back problems, It may be a good idea to stay out of ALL driving occupations:
1) driving of all types of tractor trailer trucks - both over the road and locally
2) driving of all straight trucks - delivery trucks, dump trucks, cement trucks, and flatbeds
3) driving of all types of buses - school buses, city transit buses, and over the road buses
4) driving of all types of limousines - both locally and long distances
5) driving of all types of courier vans - both locally and long distances
6) driving of all types of taxicabs - both locally and long distances
7) driving of all types of forklifts in warehouses and/or on the loading docks

Bottom line is that transportation is really NOT the way for you to go. It would probably further aggravate your back and hips, possibly crippling you or causing seriously irreversible damage.

There are other occupations that may suit you. You may want to go to a professional vocational guidance counselor for advice.

Good luck to you!

 

You've had more opportunities to do great things with your life than most people on this board. Yet somehow there is always something that goes wrong. I have fallen 13 feet off a trailer, had my foot crushed under a forklift, fallen off my truck more times than I want to admit, worked through more pain than I should have ... Never had a sick day in 25 years of working... You got a boo boo.

SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP!

Most of this goes back to how we were raised, my Dad worked through unimaginable pain and missed ONE DAY of work in his life (got his index finger crushed so he had to have it amputated) he felt terrible because someone else had to pick up the slack for him that day.
My Mom took care of the family and had a part time job that she never missed a day at.

Im guessing the OP's parents were "victims" of unfair circumstances that caused them to be "disabled" as well.

 

OTR will definitely mess up your body, given enough time. Still, growing old will do the same, and I haven't found a way to avoid that!

 

Why does trucking seem to attract those at the end of their rope and out of options?

Assuming you get pre-qualified with that history (which is doubtful), and then make it through orientation and the training period - you will need funds to subsist on. IOW, you will need food or you will literally starve out. Have you even considered this much?

There is enough pressure as it is to get your CDL, get through training and finally get out solo (several months), without having to worry about money or where your next meal is coming from...not to mention you don't even have your own means of transportation. Let's say you somehow pass orientation, but have to wait two weeks for a trainer - How will you eat? You'll need at least a $1000 cushion to get you through the first 6 months of learning and training.

 

Wow and I though my life is rough. There is always someone who has it worse. Not trying to be rude but maybe buy an old RV and bug it out in Slab City and wait for your disability. It sounds like you really are disabled. Like others have said trucking will make your physical problems worse. Much worse.

 

wow...quite a group of judgmental people answering here. 1st, all people who apply for disability are not lazy deadbeats. unless YOURE the guy who worked every day of his life except the day you got amputated, you know not of what you speak.also, disability benefits (you know, the ones you PAY FOR every day of your working life) can be a process to get. fatherinlaw is on disability...had neck broken at 11 years old by teacher (no lawsuit because thats "not what you did" in those days) and broken again in a construction accident after working road construction for many years. took TWELVE YEARS of lawsuit to finally get disability benefits, and even then only got them started, no back benefits for the 12 years he was receiving no benefits. father also recently went on disability (i didnt know you COULD get disability when already retired, but...) because of the large cell carcinoma given to him courtesy of the us government using agent orange in vietnam. father in law id give odds worked harder than any of the posters here giving this guy crap because he had the gall to apply for benefits. and then has the ABSOLUTE NERVE to want to work instead? make up your minds before getting on your high horse which direction youd like to travel...the horse gets miffed when your pompous logic is so confused.

 

Very well said. Walk a mile in a man's shoes before you judge him.

 

I didn't read all of that but if you are not close to family, not married, no kids, you will be fine. I am divorced, no kids, no family, and spent the last 15 years in the tech field too. I do not need to go home and stay out as long as I want. Heck I stay out so long that I get loads where I have to go home lol. You can stay in your truck if you have all of the things you need and want. A lot of truckers who complain about being in the truck do nothing but sit in the driver seat and stare out the window for hours. I have internet, TV, nice sound system, radio apps on my phone, video games, phone chatter, microwave, plenty of food, etc. and I usually park in nice places near a mall so I have access to a lot of stores. I have so many fun things to do during my off time that it goes by fast and then I am on the road again. Plus it is true that you can get used to anything, as there were things about me that bothered me but now I think nothing of it.

 

Give Central Refrigerated a call. I can personally vouch for this company, they are very good to drive for! They have their own school and can get you into the industry with no cost up front! They will pay for your school, transportation, lodging and even some meals while you are in school. Provided you pass the tests you are guaranteed a job and will instantly be making pretty decent money!

They are an over the road company and will send you to all 48. Since you have no real place to call home, home time won't be an issue and you can also take your time off where ever you are at the time. You can also request wherever you want to take time off. They will also have no problem with you living in the truck! In fact they love drivers that don't have to be home!

You should be able to make fairly decent money being in the current situation that you are and also be able to stash most of your earnings due to no rent, vehicle, utilities, bills etc....

I say give it a shot, you're in the perfect position to be an over the road driver!

Good luck man...