Guys. Seriously, Is Trucking Worth It?

Don I drive for WEL Companies out of DePere, WI. Been with this company my whole career.

Thanks RedGator.

Don

Thanks again...I'm glad there's a resource out there like this one. I might find out it's not for me, but it's better than spending the time and money, then finding out! Despite successfully being self employed for a lot of years, I have developed a defeatist attitude. After losing my business, I get discouraged easily because things don't click together like they used to :). It seems really hard just to get a CDL , let alone all the training and so forth afterward. It all seems overwhelming and difficult. Just gonna have to come to a point to either S>!T or get off the pot. Hey, quick question, if I got my CDL, and held out for, say, 2 or 3 months to get a good job, would that mess me up to where I'd be required to take refresher course?

Ok, I'm going to try and be as honest as possible and not get too negative as I have a tendency to do that BUT you've said a couple things that raise a red flag to me in regards to: Developing a defeatist attitude and getting discouraged easily and having young kids at home. I am the exact same way. I too have a 6 and 9 y/o at home. I am an OTR driver for Prime. I have to be out a minimum of 21 days and only get 3 days at home. Prime's policy is 1 day home for 7 days worked BUT days don't carry over. So if you come to Prime you'll have to be out either 21 days for 3 days home, or 28 days for 4 days home. If you stay out 25 days, those 4 extra days don't carry over towards your next trip. I'm here to tell you by what you've mentioned OTR driving is going to be a HEAVY strain on you in regards to "raising your children by cell phone." Because that's pretty much what you'll be doing as an OTR driver.

The next step down from OTR is regional. There are a few companies out there with better home time policies that require: 14 day trips. This means you'll be out 11-12 days, home for 3 and back on the road on the 14th day. This is less miles than OTR thus less money. Or they have 21 day trips. This is out 17-18 days, home for 4, back out on the road on the 21st day. These are typically whats known as "slip seat" routes which simply means you'll be driving a different truck each trip. The companies I know that have these regional type positions are: Knight Transport, Gordon/Heartland trucking (they recently merged) and Roehl (pronounced rail) Because of the limited days you're on the road they typically don't go 48 states thus are more regional.

The next step down from regional will be your LTL or Linehaul jobs. These are tougher to get out of school. Check with the school you want to attend and see how many LTL or local companies they have job placement for. These jobs are where you're home every night, with maybe occasional over nights here and there. They are typically long hours a day (10-14 hours a day) If there's companies that have 8 hr a day jobs, I haven't heard of them yet.

Lastly you asked if you get your CDL and sit on it for 2 to 3 months if that would mess you up. The answer to that is YES. Don't do that. You'll most certainly have to take a refresher course if you wait that long before you start driving. Don't get your CDL and hold out for a good job. Do your homework first and find the company you want to drive for and let them know you're obtaining your CDL and have them waiting when you get it. That is how the trucking industry works and the companies are used to it. This site has pretty much everything you need to do your research on companies and the study materials to obtain your CDL. But I would also recommend googling trucking companies in your area that have local or LTL routes.

Thanks again...I'm glad there's a resource out there like this one. I might find out it's not for me, but it's better than spending the time and money, then finding out! Despite successfully being self employed for a lot of years, I have developed a defeatist attitude. After losing my business, I get discouraged easily because things don't click together like they used to :). It seems really hard just to get a CDL , let alone all the training and so forth afterward. It all seems overwhelming and difficult. Just gonna have to come to a point to either S>!T or get off the pot. Hey, quick question, if I got my CDL, and held out for, say, 2 or 3 months to get a good job, would that mess me up to where I'd be required to take refresher course?

Ok, I'm going to try and be as honest as possible and not get too negative as I have a tendency to do that BUT you've said a couple things that raise a red flag to me in regards to: Developing a defeatist attitude and getting discouraged easily and having young kids at home. I am the exact same way. I too have a 6 and 9 y/o at home. I am an OTR driver for Prime. I have to be out a minimum of 21 days and only get 3 days at home. Prime's policy is 1 day home for 7 days worked BUT days don't carry over. So if you come to Prime you'll have to be out either 21 days for 3 days home, or 28 days for 4 days home. If you stay out 25 days, those 4 extra days don't carry over towards your next trip. I'm here to tell you by what you've mentioned OTR driving is going to be a HEAVY strain on you in regards to "raising your children by cell phone." Because that's pretty much what you'll be doing as an OTR driver.

The next step down from OTR is regional. There are a few companies out there with better home time policies that require: 14 day trips. This means you'll be out 11-12 days, home for 3 and back on the road on the 14th day. This is less miles than OTR thus less money. Or they have 21 day trips. This is out 17-18 days, home for 4, back out on the road on the 21st day. These are typically whats known as "slip seat" routes which simply means you'll be driving a different truck each trip. The companies I know that have these regional type positions are: Knight Transport, Gordon/Heartland trucking (they recently merged) and Roehl (pronounced rail) Because of the limited days you're on the road they typically don't go 48 states thus are more regional.

The next step down from regional will be your LTL or Linehaul jobs. These are tougher to get out of school. Check with the school you want to attend and see how many LTL or local companies they have job placement for. These jobs are where you're home every night, with maybe occasional over nights here and there. They are typically long hours a day (10-14 hours a day) If there's companies that have 8 hr a day jobs, I haven't heard of them yet.

Lastly you asked if you get your CDL and sit on it for 2 to 3 months if that would mess you up. The answer to that is YES. Don't do that. You'll most certainly have to take a refresher course if you wait that long before you start driving. Don't get your CDL and hold out for a good job. Do your homework first and find the company you want to drive for and let them know you're obtaining your CDL and have them waiting when you get it. That is how the trucking industry works and the companies are used to it. This site has pretty much everything you need to do your research on companies and the study materials to obtain your CDL. But I would also recommend googling trucking companies in your area that have local or LTL routes.

Thanks Terry C., You gave me some good nuts and bolts info on a couple of things I didn't give a lot of thought to. I'm glad I found this sight for reasons some wouldn't think, which is finding out I DON'T want to do it. A big part of me wants to, I love adventure and such. I love working alone, or close to it. I don't mind the idea of in a few years, if I play my cards right, I could make 60k per year. Buy I couldn't trade my family for a paycheck. That might **** a lot of people off, and I mean no disrespect by it. I know some people HAVE to for reasons that are none of my business. AND I understand some are just trying to pay their dues, for a better opp a year down the road. I'm just saying for me. I've made money. Money comes and goes. That's just a fact. My family wouldn't fall to pieces if I left for a few weeks, and came home for a couple of days. But, I'll never get the time back with them. LTL sounds good, but like (I think) 6 string said, quantity of time (LTL) vs quality of time (OTR), working 12 (cont)

(cont) - 14 hours doesn't leave any time for anything, by the time you count travel time to and from work, have dinner and shower, you have an exhausted hour left at the end of the day b4 crashing. I've heard of some OTR jobs (Schneider) where you could leave for 2 weeks and come home for a week. Can make roughly $800 per week, assuming you get the miles they claim. After taxes, you bring home +/- $1800/mo., or an avg of $450/week. Not awefully terrible for 3 weeks of driving, but you'd still have to have a spouse work and that doesn't leave a whole lot for kids at home. I'm not trying to make people mad, in fact, I'm spilling this out there to get responses that would tell me that that is not a realistic view of it, and that it truly IS better, because I haven't made a decision either way, just trying to be as honest and open as possible. BTW, some may question my willingness to work, not the case. Just my willingness to be away. Like I said before, I've made money. My main trade is laying floors (a handful of years ago). At times, I've put in more hours of very hard labor than most would even consider regardless of the HUGE paycheck. And on top of that, buying houses to renovate and sell. Not bragging or ?, just stating a fact to keep maybe a bigmouth from starting something he can't finish (not trying to be a jerk, just stopping something b4 it starts). You know? Maybe trying out as a cargo van driver for a courier company wouldn't be a bad trial. All I've noticed is basically 24 hr on call type stuff, anyone know of something you'd actually have somewhat of a schedule, and make some money? I live in northwest Ohio, near the Michigan border. Thanks all, just trying to spill my guts! And probably guilty of not thinkin' too much b4 I type!

Shilo, one of the things we like to do here is help people get started in this career, but we also want to help people get the info they need to decide if maybe this isn't really the best thing for them to do. You are new here, and probably unaware that we expend a lot of effort at times trying to dissuade some folks from this career, especially people with a young family.

I myself got into this after 30 years of self employment, my kids were grown, and it was an ideal second career for me. Any career takes a little effort at first to get oneself established, and trucking certainly is no exception to that rule. I worked my tail off during my rookie year, and busted right through the ceiling of most folk's estimates of what a rookie driver's pay would be. I ended up landing a dedicated job with some really great pay and benefits and I couldn't be happier with that result. No one jumps into the highest paying positions at first. There is such a lengthy learning curve involved in truck driving, and it really is a job where you are competing for the best jobs. To be the best and get the best pay you've got to be constantly producing for the company. There are so many obstacles that can foul up a truck drivers week that many fall prey to the difficulties of the job and get soured on it rather quickly.

There's no doubt that it takes special people to keep this great country's goods moving in an efficient manner. Most people never give a thought to the fact that some one may have risked life and limb passing through some treacherous mountain pass in the middle of the night just so their favorite brand of toilet paper would be there on the shelf at the local grocer when they need it. Trust me, I've met very few drivers who have traded their family for a paycheck - most are dedicated professionals with a family that they love and miss dearly. All jobs have their associated problems that come with doing what you love, trucking just has more than it's fair share.

Get into the oilfield. I do local water delivery. Get paid hourly and make a crap ton of overtime. Its great work. Lots of danger. Lots of change. Nothing ever the same. With a gun aimed at me I wouldnt go otr lol.

Shilo, one of the things we like to do here is help people get started in this career, but we also want to help people get the info they need to decide if maybe this isn't really the best thing for them to do. You are new here, and probably unaware that we expend a lot of effort at times trying to dissuade some folks from this career, especially people with a young family.

I myself got into this after 30 years of self employment, my kids were grown, and it was an ideal second career for me. Any career takes a little effort at first to get oneself established, and trucking certainly is no exception to that rule. I worked my tail off during my rookie year, and busted right through the ceiling of most folk's estimates of what a rookie driver's pay would be. I ended up landing a dedicated job with some really great pay and benefits and I couldn't be happier with that result. No one jumps into the highest paying positions at first. There is such a lengthy learning curve involved in truck driving, and it really is a job where you are competing for the best jobs. To be the best and get the best pay you've got to be constantly producing for the company. There are so many obstacles that can foul up a truck drivers week that many fall prey to the difficulties of the job and get soured on it rather quickly.

There's no doubt that it takes special people to keep this great country's goods moving in an efficient manner. Most people never give a thought to the fact that some one may have risked life and limb passing through some treacherous mountain pass in the middle of the night just so their favorite brand of toilet paper would be there on the shelf at the local grocer when they need it. Trust me, I've met very few drivers who have traded their family for a paycheck - most are dedicated professionals with a family that they love and miss dearly. All jobs have their associated problems that come with doing what you love, trucking just has more than it's fair share.

Definitely heard that. If I do walk away, I'll do it with a new found respect for the people in these monsters I'm sharing the road with! Especially when I might be a little quick to get irritated the next time they don't do something as I think they ought :) Please understand I mean no disrespect by saying "trading my family for a paycheck." I tried to make sure all knew I was talking about MY situation...The folks on this site have been more than gracious, I definitely wouldn't bash. I haven't totally made up my mind yet, don't wanna walk in or OUT of this w/o giving a lot of consideration. I must admit though, I does seem very demanding and I'm not real sure I can do what all you do! Those trucks are very intimidating, and I've neve even got a chance to sit in one...But seriously, much respect comes from my way, and you all do have a really cool life, and experience doing this...

Get into the oilfield. I do local water delivery. Get paid hourly and make a crap ton of overtime. Its great work. Lots of danger. Lots of change. Nothing ever the same. With a gun aimed at me I wouldnt go otr lol.

:) Lots of danger? Beside normal truck driving? Where's the oil fields youall talk about? What makes it dangerous? Mountains and stuff like that?