Trucking for a couple years before switching to another career?

With pipelines going in at phenomenal rates and US energy independence making more sense to more politicians today, why would you not go into welding today and work towards a pipeline welder certification? Frankly, if welding is in your sights, I can't see why not start that trade now. I know I would if I was coming out of high school and lived in/near the oil patch, or willing to go there, knowing what I know now. You'll [potentially] make a lot more money after 2 years of welder helper apprenticeship, then 2 years of trucking. Trucking may well end up being a mistake for many who enter it.

 

I totally agree with STexan. Why 'waste' two years going through training and 'growth' process as a trucker. The first 2 years or so in trucking is not that profitable. You would do much better to go directly into welding!!

Best of luck in your decision.

 

i am not sure you can get yet another student loan (for truck driving school now), until your current loans are paid off.
seems to me that you are "wishy-washy" in making up your mind as what to do.

you may never "fall back" on trucking, as all it takes (sometimes) is a mere absence of 5 months of not driving, and you HAVE TO GO BACK to school all over again, as the insurance companies will have the final say in whether or not you ever get hired again.

 

To be good in trucking it will take you more then 2 years. You would most likely fail at it if you are not prepared to give your best effort. I would recommend you try railroading if you want to weld. Carman is a great job and the 1970s folks are all retiring now.

 

If you want to weld, might as well go to training for that now, no point in putting it off. I did it the other way, went from welding to trucking. I love welding, but wouldn't do it for a job again, just for personal use. Horrible on the eyes and lungs. The pay can be great and horrible just like driving. Plenty of cheap labor in that field these days.

 

Some of the best advice given to me in the past before I entered into the industry was "Don't get into trucking for the money." If you don't want to do this for a lifestyle and career, I wouldn't waste 2 years investing in it. You will find yourself hating it within 6 months.

 

OP go for it, but you know how life is, you will probably fall in love with trucking and never leave since that wasn't your intent.

 

You wont get many days off driving OTR.