Would you do it again?

No, I have lost too much money in the trucking industry and am still trying to get myself out from under the mess. Some ppl are very successful at trucking.....I was not

 

Well,.....that's a pretty loaded question with little background. My answer is a strong maybe. I say that because it's hard to predict what the future holds, namely in freight and more importantly (over) REGULATION by the feds, and the states who believe they need their own special set of laws, in addition to the feds. Not to mention that there are FAR too many regulating us, who've not once even sat in a largecar.

I'll put it this way - Many guys are drawn to this sport for the "independence" (what's left anyway), and many of these guys will do fine. Others enter this sport as a last resort to drawing a paycheck, and probably arent as happy or content as the former.

Years ago trucking was more physicaly taxing, now it's more mentaly taxing. I'm AMAZED at all the unhappy drivers with the mega carriers who post here at TR. There's a few whiners in every crowd, but I do believe the majority here who post and what they say is true about the big companies. Luckily I don't have that problem myself.

If truck drivers and O/Os had less government bullpelosi, less mega carrier policy bullpelosi, less stupid 4-wheelers, less bullpelosi on the docks loading/unloading, less shadey brokers, this game could be awesome.

 

Well said magnum!

I drove under the old HOS rules, and I would not be able to deal with the new rules. The other thing that I would have a hard time dealing with is the idling laws so many states are enacting. If I have to spend weeks at a time in a rig, then I expect to be able to be comfortable when I am resting.

I'd love to be back out there, but with the way the industry is today . . . not happening.

 

The way things are right now in the Trucking Industry...I would say no.

The way things were back a few years ago..I would say yes.

I would have to base my answer on a MAYBE too.

We need some changes for the better here and not just talking about economy issues.

It seems almost every day they are putting a new rule or some form of one for Truckers to follow.

YOU have communities fighting loud noise, to parking, to speed limits to you name it.

Alot to take into consideration when making a decision whether to stay in this business or not.

Alot of truckers, feel like they are fighting just to belong.

I can understand the stress and tension that some may be having. We see it here on the BOARD from members having some issues with stress.

I hope something improves here and soon for all.

 

Yes! It's about all I know anymore, and it's in my blood, no doubt about it.

 

The girls added some good ponits. Can't believe I was remiss about mentioning the anti idle laws. That is one of THEE worst laws we have in the industry now.

When you hear "going green" or "saving the planet", it means bend over.

 

I started about 6 months ago, and although it's not by any means perfect, I still enjoy my job. I just wish i had done the change of career about 3 years ago when I thought about it but didn't do it.

 

I would definitely do it again. In the 7 years I have been in the industry now, I have come off the road a couple times for a few months each, only to be reminded by office politics, etc. WHY I went on the road to begin with. Even with all the hassles and headaches, it is still the best paying job I have had. Yeah, it's work, and it's frustrating at times, but even so, I enjoy it.
Tag line after my sig says it all.

 

My uncle has been trucking for over 20 years and absolutely loves it. He told me that you can't look at trucking as a job or you'll hate it. It's a lifestyle. He said that if I didn't plan on getting married and I enjoyed being alone most of the time while enjoying a lot of independence then I would probably love trucking.

While I have no trucking experience myself I'd suggest not going OTR in your situation if you can avoid it. Try to find a local gig that'll get you home to see your family, if you can't do that you may want to see what other jobs you can get. No job is worth losing your family and I think it would take a pretty exceptional woman to handle the lifestyle. Not many women like being a single parent.