Is Commercial Truck Driving A Civilian Career "really Hard To Beat"?

I'm short in the army at Fort Hood and I'm looking at the possibility of driving as a civilian when I get out. Many people in the service say that lifestyle is hard to beat considering the pay and the relatively little out-of-pocket living expenses. No rent, no electric bills, no doctors bills, no dental bills and three squares a day on top of a basic paycheck which is mostly money to squander away on a nice car, a new Harley-Davidson or whatever. Is driving a Big Rig for a "Big Wig" carrier really a lifestyle that's really tough to beat for a bachelor with no spouse or children when one considers what it potentially pays and how much sweat and knuckle-busting is involved in the employment? One also has to consider how tough the job market really is.

I have a home, farm and kids so it would be tough to be gone for weeks at a time, at least for me. But for someone with no home ties that is good at following directions as far as be so a certain place by a certain time, then yea it is good. You will get to see a lot of areas of the country and maybe find an area to settle down in later. The money is good but you still have some expenses. If I did not have kids and other home expenses plus their insurance I would be able to save for all those toys you speak of. But it is a career and about any other career you can make that kind of money on also, as long as you stay away from the women, kids and home thing. Most eventually kinda like those things though. Good luck and give it a try.

Welcome to the forum Moose. Thank you for your service sir!!

The trucking industry is one very complex animal. There are many different aspects of it. You find the aspect that fits you the best and you can make it a very rewarding career. Starting out we highly recommend getting your schooling through a big company. They provide great training and hire you on graduation. They are fast paced. Also it is very little money out of pocket up front.

If you like to travel being single you can hit the road and take your off time where ever you want as long as the company has freight going there. Your first year you can expect to make 35-45k. Afterward it can and will go up. This is a totally performance based industry.

Look around and read the threads. We have tons of info here.

Best wishes in your endeavours sir!!

Welcome to the forum Moose. Thank you for your service sir!!

The trucking industry is one very complex animal. There are many different aspects of it. You find the aspect that fits you the best and you can make it a very rewarding career. Starting out we highly recommend getting your schooling through a big company. They provide great training and hire you on graduation. They are fast paced. Also it is very little money out of pocket up front.

If you like to travel being single you can hit the road and take your off time where ever you want as long as the company has freight going there. Your first year you can expect to make 35-45k. Afterward it can and will go up. This is a totally performance based industry.

Look around and read the threads. We have tons of info here.

Best wishes in your endeavours sir!!

Thank you, PJ. When I said that people say the lifestyle was hard to beat I should have mentioned that I was talking about the military lifestyle. I have the feeling that trucking might be hard to beat, all things considered, in the civilian job sector. No spouse and no kids is definitely a good thing for a travelling job.

Many of us are former military. We understand that lifestyle also. Being single and no kids can be a plus, just depends on the person. Me personally, I want time off the truck to just relax. I have a small place in the country that is very peaceful. Nothing better than sitting on the back porch with morning coffee listening to the birds sing and nothing but woods too look at.

When I’m at work, it’s all business. Run loads as long as I have hours, then take a couple days off at home. I have stayed out for 3-4 months at a time before, and did resets on the road. I got kinda grumpy.

I'm short in the army at Fort Hood

LOL!! Short. Thanks for the memories!

I'm short in the army at Fort Hood

LOL!! Short. Thanks for the memories!

I've been out 32 years and still remember being "Short" before going PCS or when I separated.

Laura

I know a young man at Fort Hood who is also considered it.

I'm short in the army at Fort Hood and I'm looking at the possibility of driving as a civilian when I get out. Many people in the service say that lifestyle is hard to beat considering the pay and the relatively little out-of-pocket living expenses. No rent, no electric bills, no doctors bills, no dental bills and three squares a day on top of a basic paycheck which is mostly money to squander away on a nice car, a new Harley-Davidson or whatever. Is driving a Big Rig for a "Big Wig" carrier really a lifestyle that's really tough to beat for a bachelor with no spouse or children when one considers what it potentially pays and how much sweat and knuckle-busting is involved in the employment? One also has to consider how tough the job market really is.

32 years ago for me, as well.

Where does the time go.

I'm short in the army at Fort Hood

LOL!! Short. Thanks for the memories!

I've been out 32 years and still remember being "Short" before going PCS or when I separated.

Laura

Yeah, when you'll leave the military, you'll see that the trucking business is actually easier! (I was a 0351 in the Marine Corps, I got a LOT less BS in my life when I EAS'd and started my trucking career... be careful of your eating habits though, it took me some time and 30 extra pounds to adapt my food intake to that new lifestyle without morning PT) By the way, I know it's a trucking forum, but if you can take advantage of the GI Bill, do it. If I'm not mistaken, you can use it at a trade school as well. I didn't, started working as soon as I had left my cammies, and am kinda regretting it now that I see other former Marine who went to college after their service and earn their lives better than I do.