Any Former Teachers Turned Truck Drivers?
Topic 2397 | Page 1
I think the answer to that depends on how specialized you get in each career. There are teamsters making $80k+ and home most nights but they've been in the union for 25+ years. There are Hazmat haulers and specialized haulers that can make $60k-$70k but again you need several years of experience to get to that point.
Teaching of course is the same way. Depends on the degree you have and what level you wind up teaching at.
In the end I would say the bigger question is which lifestyle would you be happier with? The salaries are close enough that it could really go either way. But the lifestyles couldn't be more opposite.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Great points Brett. It does come down to lifestyle. Either 12 hours a day with kids vs. 12 in a truck alone.
Trucking seems like a better bit deal.
And you must consider this....Can you handle the stress and the intensiveness of truck driving? What does your family think of feel about it? Do you have kids? Wife? pets? There are thousands of variables to consider when making such a big decision.
I am not trying to persuade you either way. Just helping you consider the dynamics of this decision. Good luck with whatever you should decide to do. 
I am single with a girlfriend. I am wanting to get my CDL to earn extra income or higher income locally or OTR. Getting a CDL should help me, not hurt me when it comes to this bad economy. Teaching has dried up, I do not want to go back to it full time, and have been laid off for 3 years. I am getting too old (46 yo) and tired to look for another teaching position with constant lay offs and low pay. I have clear goals: Get my CDL, do my 1 year OTR and go to the Texas oil fields to make up for lost income.
What's sad is that fact is there are NO JOBS out there. Nada. Nursing and trucking is all there is for a guy like me. Thankfully I am a farm boy and used to driving heavy machinery. I do have blue collar skills and excel at it.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Todd, you should do just fine. You have a background to help you, and a definite plan that sounds realistic. I hear ya about teaching...its really got bad. Core Curriculum..you bet... Anyway...get into the High Road Training Program and start your studying...cuz you are just gonna be a student again !! And as always, we are here to help all we can....Welcome to TT...
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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I am curious since I am looking to breakinto trucking. Which career pays more over the long term?
Teachers salary is $38,000 in Arizona with small bumps in pay through the years. You top out at $60,000 after 15 years.
Truck Driver salary is $38,000 which tops out at $50,000 in 3 years. However, the oil fields looks more financially promising or working for grocery store chain as a truck driver making close to 100k.