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Would you give up this gig?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Blues Junkie, Oct 1, 2019.

Page 1 of 17
  1. Oct 1, 2019 #1
    Blues Junkie

    Blues Junkie Light Load Member

    78
    118
    Jun 15, 2019
    Littleton, Colorado
    0
    So, I've posted threads about my wife & I looking to become Team drivers. My wife just got her CDL and I plan on going to Sage to get mine in the near future. However, there is a very small part of me that is hesitant to give up my current gig.

    I'm a fleet Mechanic for a small Parks & Recreation district. I've worked there for 12 years I gross 57k a year, I work 40hrs a week no overtime at all, no weekends, every holiday off (paid) I acru 6 weeks of vacation a year, 6 weeks sick time and 9 days of personal time a year. I dont work very hard in my opinion. I came from Dealerships getting paid flat rate... so when I came here I was told to slow down. I work 7am-4pm live 5 minutes away from my house and go home for lunch everyday.

    I will never get rich working here, and after 12 years I'm bored out of my mind and tired of the politics. My question is would you leave this job for a life of trucking?

    Thanks.
    Opinions are always appreciated.
     
    Blues Junkie, Oct 1, 2019
    Blues Junkie, Oct 1, 2019
    #1
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  3. Oct 1, 2019 #2
    buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

    13,527
    34,653
    May 25, 2017
    under a shade tree
    0
    knowing what i know now, and the BS associated with trucking, i'd stay where you're at.

    if i had a job like that, i'd stay, cuz politics are politics no matter what job you have or where you go...


    however, as a team set up, you can gross well over $100,000 and pay off a lot of bills, and save a lot of money if you really wanted to.

    either way, it's 6 of one, half dozen of another.
     
    buddyd157, Oct 1, 2019
    buddyd157, Oct 1, 2019
    #2
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  4. Oct 1, 2019 #3
    Tropsnart

    Tropsnart Road Train Member

    1,129
    2,382
    Jun 8, 2015
    Pavilion New York
    0
    I'll trade jobs with you!
     
    Tropsnart, Oct 1, 2019
    Tropsnart, Oct 1, 2019
    #3
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  5. Oct 1, 2019 #4
    gntorres61

    gntorres61 Road Train Member

    2,291
    3,492
    Aug 17, 2013
    Plymouth NC
    0
    If you like the thought of traveling the country, living in the truck, working 70 hours a week (driving) Sundays and holidays too, being away from home weeks at a time, have the patience of a saint (sitting in docks-reefers are worse), this might be for you. I have done it for the last six years (I am 58) and hope I can do it for 15 more years at least. Best decision in my adult life. No sense in being bored and unhappy! You will have your wife with you so that takes loneliness out of the equation and thats a BIG STEP UP! BUT, team driving, the truck HARDLY EVER STOPS. #### good money. Hope you can both can sleep while the truck is moving. I can't.

    -George
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2019
    gntorres61, Oct 1, 2019
    gntorres61, Oct 1, 2019
    #4
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  7. Oct 1, 2019 #5
    SoCalRed

    SoCalRed Medium Load Member

    437
    851
    Feb 7, 2017
    CA
    0
    If you quit this job for trucking you will regret it for the rest of your life.
     
    SoCalRed, Oct 1, 2019
    SoCalRed, Oct 1, 2019
    #5
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  8. Oct 1, 2019 #6
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    14,037
    26,535
    Jul 25, 2008
    Somewhere out West, in my mind.
    0
    Dude, no matter what your current pay, benefits, hours were for some guys it wouldn't be worth getting out of bed for to some and it would be almost like winning the lottery for someone else. I was in a very similar situation 2 years ago. I was so frustrated I can't fully express it. My advice is for you and family decide what is your ideal job, regardless of cost/difficulty/location, etc. Then analyze what about that job is attractive to you/them. Does staying where you are or changing jobs get you on a path to the dream job or get you the features of the dream job. That's how I would decide.

    Sometimes you just cannot stand one more week/month/year doing a job even if it was easy.

    Good luck.
     
    tscottme, Oct 1, 2019
    tscottme, Oct 1, 2019
    #6
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  9. Oct 1, 2019 #7
    olddog_newtricks

    olddog_newtricks Medium Load Member

    639
    2,162
    Jun 3, 2018
    0
    The grass is not always greener on the other side. You've got it good where you are. I don't think I would give it up.
     
    olddog_newtricks, Oct 1, 2019
    olddog_newtricks, Oct 1, 2019
    #7
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  10. Oct 1, 2019 #8
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    48,368
    221,782
    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    Do you own a house?

    If so, stay where you are. If you got past the initial astronomical down payment which is what is keeping me out of my own house at the moment, and can afford the mortgage and your other bills on what you’re making, I would advise against making that move.
     
    MACK E-6, Oct 1, 2019
    MACK E-6, Oct 1, 2019
    #8
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  11. Oct 1, 2019 #9
    Blues Junkie

    Blues Junkie Light Load Member

    78
    118
    Jun 15, 2019
    Littleton, Colorado
    0
    Yes, we own a house.... my paycheck covers the mortgage without much left over ( Colorado is freaking expensive) my wife's paycheck covers everything else barely. We live paycheck to paycheck. I'm trying to get ahead... would love to make more money. It will take me about 13 more years to gross 70k at my job.
     
    Blues Junkie, Oct 1, 2019
    Blues Junkie, Oct 1, 2019
    #9
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  12. Oct 1, 2019 #10
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    48,368
    221,782
    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    Ok, so things are a little tight...

    I was hauling heavy equipment and flatbed freight for $13 an hour before I went to what we call LTL here in the trucking business. That move included a gain of $4 an hour right off the bat.

    You’re near Denver so there should be quite a few companies that have terminals out your way. Try R&L Carriers for example and see what they tell you.
     
    MACK E-6, Oct 1, 2019
    MACK E-6, Oct 1, 2019
    #10
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