Is Trucking Sustainable?

I am still researching trucking as a career, but before I plop down $3900 for trucking school I want to know if trucking is sustainable as a long-term career? I want to make 50k a year or more.

I have been thinking of going with Knight Transportation. I filled out an application with them yesterday. If I cannot find a decent job by October I will have to join Knight and risk $3900. At least they will pay me $400 week. My money is running low. I need to do something. I landed a part time gig with Uhaul as a call center rep and make 8.25 an hour just to survive. This is depressing. I got laid off from a good paying job two years ago and now only working part-time jobs.

I hear so many bad stories about trucking and guys who quit trucking school and now are responsible for all that tuition money. The turnover is very high. Out of 100 guys that go into trucking only 2 are left. Those seem to be the statistics.

I would choose other career options if the economy was good----but it is not---and trucking or nursing are the only two careers that will allow me to prosper and pay my bills.

Any ideas how to make trucking profitable for myself? Is it sustainable or will it burn me out fast?

Trucking isnt just a job its a WAY OF LIFE. Are you prepared to make that sacrifice? Your first year is typically 30000- 35000/yr. After that your looking at capping out around 50000 unless you want to specialize or unload trucks. How much money you make depends on you, your attitude and your work ethic. Ill say this trucking has and always will be around. You will always have work. No downsizing. But you need to make sure this is the right choice for you.

Redgator I am in Phoenix. Which is the best company to go with out here? I only have to choose between Swift and Knight.

I can also pay $4,000 to go to Southwest School of Trucking to get a CDL and not sign a contract with anyone.

It doesn't matter where you live. If a company has freight running through your area, you will likely be able to work with them. They will bus you or some even fly you to their terminal. So don't limit yourself by location.

The best company is the one that fits your needs. The type of equipment, the number of miles, the pay per mile, hometime, pet policy, etc. Its about your wants and what company provides what you want.

Like redgator said, truckng is far more than a job. Jumping in because you need to make money isn't a good enough reason to be a driver. Its not all fun and games. You have to be sure that trucking is for you. The long days, the isolation, the time away from family can take their toll, especially that first year. If your motivation is solely for dollwrs you run the risk of being chewed up and spit out by the industry. Dont rush into it. Research the life and the sacrifices drivers make.

As far as trucking being stable, almost everything we use was on a truck at some point. The only thing that will cause drivers to go away is robots or automated systems. I doubt thwt happens in the near future.

Hey Todd. The answers the others gave were right on.

Trucking is most certainly sustainable as a career if you're cut out for it. The demand for drivers has been incredibly strong for decades and will be for decades to come. You can make $50,000 after a few years but it does indeed top off somewhere around there.

We have an awesome Trucker's Career Guide which will help you understand the job, the industry, and the lifestyle a whole lot better. And as you're probably finding out, if you check out the other trucking sites and the forum and TheTruckersReport you're going to find nothing but complaining, criticizing, and misery. You'll find a lot of happy, successful drivers here at TruckingTruth who enjoy their trucking careers and will help you understand the realities out there. At TheTruckersReport and sites like that you're mostly going to find people who didn't belong in trucking, didn't take it seriously, or are burned out and looking for someplace to complain. So the perspective you get will vary dramatically from website to website.

But I certainly agree with those that commented above - trucking is a lifestyle. You don't want to come into it because it pays $10k per year more than other jobs. The lifestyle is what makes it interesting and worth doing in my opinion, but that's also what drives away the people who aren't cut out for it. So do a lot of reading and understand what you'll face out there.

Todd I cant tell you what company would work for you. Its an individual choice. We all have different needs. I chose private school. Its slower paced thsn company and more individualized. I also got funding thru WIA so it was free. Alot of companies do tuition reimbursement if you do pay for it out of pocket. Research all companies that hire out of your area. Dont limit yourself to a specific location. Also think about what you want and need from trucking? And if its REALISTIC? I love my job and I love this lifestyle but it comes at a personal sacrifice. No trucker is solely in it for the money. We have "diesel in our blood".

Todd I cant tell you what company would work for you. Its an individual choice. We all have different needs. I chose private school. Its slower paced thsn company and more individualized. I also got funding thru WIA so it was free. Alot of companies do tuition reimbursement if you do pay for it out of pocket. Research all companies that hire out of your area. Dont limit yourself to a specific location. Also think about what you want and need from trucking? And if its REALISTIC? I love my job and I love this lifestyle but it comes at a personal sacrifice. No trucker is solely in it for the money. We have "diesel in our blood".

RedGator, Who do you work for?

You guys are very helpful. Brett, once again, thanks for the information. Your book is very informative. I am going to apply for WIT and see if I qualify for some grants. I am also going to check into the "one application" process. Thanks Brett and everyone else!

Todd I cant tell you what company would work for you. Its an individual choice. We all have different needs. I chose private school. Its slower paced thsn company and more individualized. I also got funding thru WIA so it was free. Alot of companies do tuition reimbursement if you do pay for it out of pocket. Research all companies that hire out of your area. Dont limit yourself to a specific location. Also think about what you want and need from trucking? And if its REALISTIC? I love my job and I love this lifestyle but it comes at a personal sacrifice. No trucker is solely in it for the money. We have "diesel in our blood".

RedGator, Who do you work for?

WEL Companies out of DePere, WI