Which is better to work for a company or be a independent operator?

Currently Im 18 years old and wanting to get my CDL. However I am not wanting to make trucking my career I really only want to use it as a side job! Currently I am going to college for fire science and emt classes. So I don't want to be tied to a company....thats why I'm wondering what would be a good approach for me to take so I can keep my main career as a firefighter/emt and incorporate trucking in my down time??

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!!!!

 

In your case, working for a company is easier to deal with.

Being independent costs money even if the truck is sitting.

 

Be a company driver first. Put in 5 years and save as you go before you do anything.

You are going to end up making a decision. To go into the Fires side which does not give time for trucking or you are going to become a trucker. You cannot have both.

 

I admire your ambition but I don't think trucking will be a good fit. It's too demanding of your time and working it as a side job might involve conflicts.
When you get out of school you can always pull extra shifts as an EMT/FF or get your cert to work in ER. Most of our local EMTs work it that way. It keeps them in the loop in their main profession and they're a lot less stressed.

 

go for a Cllass A CDL, join the fire dept, work your way up to engineer, and drive a hook and ladder, as you'll already have that CDL. not sure, but you might be exempt from a medical card as well....check that out.

big money, big benefits in public services like police and fire depts.

 

You took the words right out of my mouth. I suggest the OP try to find a job doing local deliveries in a none CDL required CMV. In fact, there are several places right here that are begging for these drivers.

 

I was thinking that would be the case :/

 

Yes very true! I just always had a passions for big rigs! I guess I can always get into trucking after I retire from the fire department! That way I would hopefully already have 20-25 years of CDL driving under my belt

 

Do you think companies like Pepsi or Budweiser would be a good company to work for? With being on the fire department I work 24hrs and get 48hrs off. So maybe that would be a possibility?