Am I CRAZY!!!

Ok here goes, please don't hold back. Looking to possibly start Swift training this month. My Delima is this I currently have a job in state government that I have had for a little over 15 years and can make a living at it, with good benifits. However I do just barely make it from paycheck to paycheck. My current salary now is what I will make 10 years from now. The job is easy and I work 4 days a week driving a Class B W800 KW weighing 54,000 lbs. I am looking at leaving this to become a OTR driver. My girlfriend supports me 110% and my only child is grown and on her own. I realize that most likely the first year I won't make much more than I do now, but the potential for almost double what I make is there down the road yes or no?

So my question is am I a fool for wanting to leave a job that pays 40k per year even if it will never be anything nor pay anymore than it is right now???

Oh and I will be 50 in September...

Ok here goes, please don't hold back. Looking to possibly start Swift training this month. My Delima is this I currently have a job in state government that I have had for a little over 15 years and can make a living at it, with good benifits. However I do just barely make it from paycheck to paycheck. My current salary now is what I will make 10 years from now. The job is easy and I work 4 days a week driving a Class B W800 KW weighing 54,000 lbs. I am looking at leaving this to become a OTR driver. My girlfriend supports me 110% and my only child is grown and on her own. I realize that most likely the first year I won't make much more than I do now, but the potential for almost double what I make is there down the road yes or no?

So my question is am I a fool for wanting to leave a job that pays 40k per year even if it will never be anything nor pay anymore than it is right now???

Oh and I will be 50 in September...

Are you a fool for wanting to leave your job? No. But I'm guessing you're looking for more than that answer. Well, I could write a book...WAIT! Brett already did and you should read it.

You left a lot out of the equation. So I'm gonna ask some questions that I think bear some consideration before you leap. I apologize for this being long, but you're leaving a well-established career and...well, here goes;

1. Is that $40,000 per year gross or net?
2. Do you have to contribute anything to your retirement or is it fully funded by your employer?
3. Who pays your health insurance?
4. Can you increase the money in your pocket by decreasing some current expenses?
5. Is your job likely to be eliminated or privatized within the next 10-15 years?
6. Do you have a mortgage? If so, what'll happen to your house while you're on the road?
7. If you have a significant amount of money in a retirement plan, what will happen to it if you leave?
8. When are you eligible to retire from your employer?

I love my job. I drive for a big company and I think they treat me well. I made right at $40,000 my first year. However, I doubt that I'll be making $80,000/year within the next 8-10 years UNLESS they significantly increase driver pay, I switch to a different type of driving that pays more than dry van OTR or I become an owner/operator (in which case, all bets are off 'cause it's a big gamble).

If you like your job and the only issue is the money, you really need to consider all the other aspects, which Brett covers in his book and elsewhere on this website.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

There's not much "judgement" like that here at Trucking Truth. You can be crazy all you want.

Supposing the money is the same, a few things to keep in mind:

* You are paid for your effort. Work harder, you'll earn more, and your dispatcher will know you're name - in a good way.

* You will be gone from home % family for weeks or even months at a time.

* There's no 9-5/M-F schedule. You won't be working 24 hours at a time, but you could be working & driving at any hour of the day, any day of the week.

Check these links:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

You probably are but so am I and I'm doing ok. In addition to the great advice already posted consider this. I'm OTR with Swift now and I enjoy it. The only reason I would leave would be to take a job like you already have. So, it isn't just the job but how well the person and the job fit together. (I'm sure this is in Brett'so book).

Sorry this will be a long one as well. Steve L, to answer a few questions. Yes the 40k is gross, and I have to contribute 5% to my retirement and when I leave it can stay where it is until retirement age I would have to work another 11 years before that would be an option. I pay for my health insurance medical only no vision or dental. My job could be privatized at any time as it generates no revenue for my department I am an inspector with the KY Dept of Ag division of weights and measures heavy capacity scales (truck scales) but not DOT or CAT scales as that type of scale is only legal for enforcement in KY. In my current job there is no chance to earn more money as I can't get overtime and there haven't been any raises in 6 years I am maxed out. I do have a mortgage my daughter and her husband are living there and taking care of that.

I like the job I have to say it is a great job easy and plenty of time off 10 hours a day 4 days per week.

Ok 80k might not be realistic but a significant amount more than I make now once I gain the experience and prove myself.

Errol, I understand I am hoping to drive flatbed my recruiter at Swift tells me that is not a problem, but she also continues to tell me that I can go with this private instructor I know to acquire my CDL A license (which would save me a ton of money) and be just fine. I have my CLP A and a CDL B which I realize my 10 wheeler is nothing compared to a semi. Just don't know...

I guess I'm just afraid I will fail!!!

Rob S I worked for them in the office fixing computers and taking care of the network for 13 years to get the 40k they allowed me to keep my salary when I changed to the job I have now. This job normally starts out about 25k per year and in 30 years you might would retire at around 30-35k if you're lucky.

Thanks guys I really appreciate all the input

Robert I remember when my decision to learn how to drive a semi was final. I wasn't at all fearful of failing. My will to succeed and learn the ins and outs of this profession overpowered any underlying fear of failure.

Believe it or not your B experience is going to help you with this, if nothing more than you know your way around the truck, understand the pretrip, and are familiar with the mass of large vehicles.

The first year is the toughest and will test your patience, skill, and nerve. Second year? It's realistic to anticipate a 50k income. There are many successful drivers on this forum making more than that. There is your pay increase.

So are you crazy? Maybe a little, but anyone willing to climb into the beast and navigate our US highways is perhaps, a tad left of center. So you'll fit right in!

Good luck. Let us know how else we can help.

I'm about a half a bubble off of plumb myself. I am looking forward to this new challenge. I don't think you can be screwed together too tight and succeed in this crazy Lifestyle they call Trucking!

Ur not crazy. I worked for the USPS for 18 years and walked out last summer at 41 yrs old. I wouldn't be able to retire for another 25 years and I wasn't going to make it. I'm treated much much better at prime than I ever was at the post office. But I miss the people.

Money is still tight for me cause I was making $58k+ but the stress level is awesomely reduced. I sleep much better. I have the bills of someone making that much...however...I moved into the truck and eliminated paying rent. You say you pay your health insurance but doesn't KY pay a portion? I think the m3dical is the biggest difference for me. My copay are $50 they used to be $20. Not sure what my Rx will be. And I'm paying much more.... until I'm here a year then I'll pay half of what I did at the po. The vision and dental are almost identical plans and I was offered cheaper life and disability insurance at prime.

Do what makes you happy. People are astounded by my temperament change.

Thanks G Town and Tractor man I truly appreciate everyone's input and advice.

Rainy D yes KY does pay a portion the plan I have doesn't cost me very much only $50 a month, but I have a $1250 deductible not very good but better than nothing.

Well I have decided I am gonna do this.

Tractor Man question for you or any of the Swift drivers. do I Need my birth certificate and SS card?

Thanks G Town and Tractor man I truly appreciate everyone's input and advice.

Rainy D yes KY does pay a portion the plan I have doesn't cost me very much only $50 a month, but I have a $1250 deductible not very good but better than nothing.

Well I have decided I am gonna do this.

Tractor Man question for you or any of the Swift drivers. do I Need my birth certificate and SS card?

I was told to bring both when I went to the Swift Academy in Salt Lake City, Utah