Trucker Vs. Computer Programmer? Two Jobs Lined Up.

I am both a programmer (PHP/MySQL) and truck driver. I jumped back into driving two years ago after a 15 year driving hiatus in IT. Programming jobs were slim to none for what I do unless I wanted to pick up another 25 skills to which I thought NOT!

If you want to drive then you should do it, but try to keep up on your programming skills. You may ultimately find yourself writing code for the company that you're driving for.

Incidentally, here is one of my most recent efforts in programming (and transportation). A single page site that illustrates the danger that the FMCSA's hours of service (HOS) regulations pose to drivers and the public. Please check it out and sign the petition to overhaul these stupid rules.

http://www.hosoverhaul.com

And if any of you other coders want to be involved in this effort, just let me know.

And if any of you other coders want to be involved in this effort, just let me know.

-David M.

David, you should start a completely new thread on this, with an eye-catching subject line, so everyone here sees it.

-mountain girl

And if any of you other coders want to be involved in this effort, just let me know.

-David M.

David, you should start a completely new thread on this, with an eye-catching subject line, so everyone here sees it.

-mountain girl

The thread should be: Truck driving for the ex-IT pro.

Guyjax there is some truth in your post. Sometimes you have to swap money for happiness.

I know some guys who want to get out trucking due to the long hauls and being away from home so much and I know programmers who want to stop coding due to staring at a screen 10 hours a day in a windowless office. Both sides seem to burn out eventually. They are both good skills to have in this economy.

Torn between two interests. lol

My brief stint in IT I saw people who had a job they shouldn't have been able to get, people who should have had a much better position than they did, managers and department heads who couldn't hook up a printer, but were given company homes and cars. That was pretty much enough for me to see that I wanted no part of the corporate world. Sometimes I think I wish I made more money, but money cant buy you love or happiness, or health, or any other number of things. At least a truck is a rolling cubicle!

Phil

Man, if I was making that kind of money I would already have a Prius by now!

My brief stint in IT I saw people who had a job they shouldn't have been able to get, people who should have had a much better position than they did, managers and department heads who couldn't hook up a printer, but were given company homes and cars. That was pretty much enough for me to see that I wanted no part of the corporate world. Sometimes I think I wish I made more money, but money cant buy you love or happiness, or health, or any other number of things. At least a truck is a rolling cubicle!

Phil

I think you summarized my experience in IT. Gotta love your new office!!!

Man, if I was making that kind of money I would already have a Prius by now!

Daniel B.

THAT's funny.

-mountain girl

I've been doing system admin, field/desktop support, and software support work since 93. It's been good to me/us, but it is very stressful due to market demands, the economy, etc. the money is OK and I've had decent benefits though I'm also retired USAF and haven't had the problems with medical coverage. I'm fried at 62 and stuck in a truly dead end position. I'm OVER being judged in performance by metrics derived from models that DO NOT measure what I do but what I SHOUD do. I don't mind accountability but the IT world loves metrics. I've been cursed with marginal leadership that runs scared and won't do the right thing as a base line. But, the field is getting ever more diverse and some thrive in this arena. I'm leaving before I finally lose it and burn bridges! I've got an opportunity to drive with my son and we are both looking forward to the time together and the challenges. He'll be the senior driver!

I left IT (Sales side) after a 12 year career. Funny thing is for those 12 years I kept saying, "this is my last conference......this is the year I'm going to become a trucker". Well, I finally left IT 2 years ago. Totally burned out. Gave up the money and the benefits. 2 years later and I'm still in sales, real estate this time, which is equally grueling I must say. I don't make squat now and I'm now just realizing that my hesitation is because I'm afraid of making the wrong decision.

My point is this.......if you have a passion for trucking than don't be a scared little wuss like me. Do what you feel will make you happy. Everyday, I'm about an hour away from finally committing to a school but I come up with some lame ass excuse to hold off on that decision until the next day. DON'T DO THAT.

If you have a passion for trucking DO IT. The money will come in due time b/c you'll get up every morning ready to get rolling, which will bring in the $$$. Trucking will always have security. There is a shortage right now in the 10's of thousands for truckers. There's a ton of money to be made out there.

Damn, I need to take my own advice already b/c sales sucks...

I've got my short timers calendar running: 81 days (45 working days) and I cut the current umbilical! Do the study, get the permit, and jump. I realize I am a bit older than most and I have some safety net with retirement from the military and a little from a state job, but I'm really excited to be able emotionally and physically to start over again. I'm also going to team drive with my son and that's exciting at a whole different level.

That's awesome!

I've been doing system admin, field/desktop support, and software support work since 93. It's been good to me/us, but it is very stressful due to market demands, the economy, etc. the money is OK and I've had decent benefits though I'm also retired USAF and haven't had the problems with medical coverage. I'm fried at 62 and stuck in a truly dead end position. I'm OVER being judged in performance by metrics derived from models that DO NOT measure what I do but what I SHOUD do. I don't mind accountability but the IT world loves metrics. I've been cursed with marginal leadership that runs scared and won't do the right thing as a base line. But, the field is getting ever more diverse and some thrive in this arena. I'm leaving before I finally lose it and burn bridges! I've got an opportunity to drive with my son and we are both looking forward to the time together and the challenges. He'll be the senior driver!

I left IT (Sales side) after a 12 year career. Funny thing is for those 12 years I kept saying, "this is my last conference......this is the year I'm going to become a trucker". Well, I finally left IT 2 years ago. Totally burned out. Gave up the money and the benefits. 2 years later and I'm still in sales, real estate this time, which is equally grueling I must say. I don't make squat now and I'm now just realizing that my hesitation is because I'm afraid of making the wrong decision.

My point is this.......if you have a passion for trucking than don't be a scared little wuss like me. Do what you feel will make you happy. Everyday, I'm about an hour away from finally committing to a school but I come up with some lame ass excuse to hold off on that decision until the next day. DON'T DO THAT.

If you have a passion for trucking DO IT. The money will come in due time b/c you'll get up every morning ready to get rolling, which will bring in the $$$. Trucking will always have security. There is a shortage right now in the 10's of thousands for truckers. There's a ton of money to be made out there.

Damn, I need to take my own advice already b/c sales sucks...

Gunner....DO IT. Take your own advice. Wasn't in IT...but spent years in a management position...burned out. Looked at trucking..came close...but chickened out.

Took a job doing sales, promoted to GM..and ownership changes turned the place upside down. Moved into ANOTHER sales position..this time straight commission with promises of six figure income. Well after a few months of beating my head against the wall and coming no where near six figures...I finally made the choice. Its funny, I made some great money in my past careers, and money was a concern of mine moving into the trucking industry. But amazingly, after working a commissioned sales job, the thought of a weekly or biweekly paycheck is mouthwatering!!

Good luck man....time to pull the trigger if you ask me.