What Did You Do Before Becoming A Truck Driver?

New "Singles":

• Cosmetology
• Rodeo

Massage Therapist ........

I've always wanted to be a "truck driver". Ever since my father sat me on his knee and said to hold the steering wheel. I was probably around 5 or 6yrs old. He would work the gears and controls. But would hold the wheel For few minutes or so. Anywho, but Before I decided to become one. Was working as a Mall Security. And had my 10yrs class reunion in '02. That's when I decided it's was time for a career change. And loved it, driving, ever since.

The 8 years prior I installed residential cable had a hip replacement can't go back to that which is a good thing because the money isn't as good as it used to be but when I got out of high school I joined the Army got in a wreck with a rig got medically retired that was in '94 after that I installed countertops worked at boarding kennels turned to trucking because once I was cleared to go back to work after my surgery filled out applications for about 6 months and never got a call & I got a family to support.

How did I not see this thread till now? Just spent the last 30 minutes reading about everyone's past. Good stuff.

Anyways before I became a truck driver I was in college and driving a school bus. I just couldn't handle it anymore. Needed something different and I wanted to be a truck driver my whole life. So I went to CDL school and went off to the oil fields. Was there for 9 months before I was laid off. Now I'm just considering my options and going to take whatever works best for me. Rather that's local or OTR we will find out. I am however done with the oilfields.

As a teenager I delivered newspapers,mowed lawns,pumped gas. After high school, I worked as a laborer for a cement contractor. Then I joined the cement masons union and worked as a cement mason from 1980-2010. Decided to retire with my 30 year pension, then took a job as a porter at a car dealer until I moved to Florida. Now I'm gearing up to go to school to do what I've wanted to do since I was a teenager. One of my buddies from back in the day worked the dock at Carolina, became a driver, then went to New Penn. Was always telling me that he could hook me up. Should've listened to him.

Massage Therapist ........

I classed you as medical (one - you use one handle here.) I would have a lot more "singles" and I believe it would water down the overall view. F'rinstance, Law Enforcement includes police, detectives and corrections officers.

With just one farrier, there's no sense in an "Animal Husbandry" category until we get a pet groomer. Or something like that.

Medical.

Thanks for the explanation, Errol.

You are correct. Massage is considered medical ...

And I must say I appreciate your posts!

HVAC-R Installation Tech. 150 degree attics in the dead of summer aren't exactly what i want. Ready to get to school get some experience and join pops out on the road!

HVAC-R Installation Tech. 150 degree attics in the dead of summer aren't exactly what i want. Ready to get to school get some experience and join pops out on the road!

Thanks for the input here, Wilie. In a few weeks I'll total again.

Willie, I bet your Freightliner will be the coolest inside on the lot this summer!

I was a middle school math teacher till I took up driving. The pressures are waaaay different, but I'm enjoying it more. Big difference: teachers get a salary - same pay each month. Drivers need to hustle for every 36¢/mile they earn.

After high school, I got a job at a sign shop. Spent the next 9 years doing that. I really loved it and would've been happy to continue doing it, but I was about as high as I could get in the company just underneath the owner, managing all production and design, and I was only making $11.00/hour.

So I quit that and started college for mechanical engineering. I've been working part-time as a barista at a coffee shop just to keep me busy and sane between my studies. Three years later, however, I am so burned out and sick of school and the barista job, and I've been questioning if the life of an engineer (lots of traveling and huge, insane amounts of stress) is really what I want. I'm not sure if I really want to deal with the amount of responsibility and commitment that comes with the job.

So I'm considering getting my CDL and going on the road. My fiancé is a lease-op for Schneider and he makes good money and is really enjoying the lifestyle. We have no kids and nothing really anchoring us down, so we're discussing teaming up together. I can't think of many things more awesome than traveling the country with my best friend and getting paid to do it. :)

Side note: Just wanted to add that back when my fiancé was in CDL school, he studied the High Road Training Program here. He aced everything and was days ahead of others in his class. I cannot thank you guys enough for providing such an awesome tool to aspiring drivers. :)