Change Of Career From Law Enforcement To CDL Driver
Topic 28745 | Page 2
Nobody told you this but you’ll be just as stressed as a truck driver
Maybe, maybe not. After the year driving, he may find the stresses to be minimal and a walk in the park. My son went from LE and grade/middle school teaching to driving local at FedEx and he said other than stupid 4-wheelers, it's a relaxing job. 🙄 He's now less stressed since retiring from the Navy.
Laura
Hey guys. This is my first post here. I was hoping to get some input on a career change from law enforcement to driving commercially.
I have been in law enforcement for about 5 years now. Needless to say, the current climate has been extremely demoralizing. Practices with my agency have changed dramatically and it seems like I can no longer do my job without a supervisor breathing down my neck or question every decision I make. The result is me coming home stressed and in a bad mood everyday.
I have my CDL A already, but have no experience outside of driving for the military. I was drawn to this career path as I do DOT inspections at my local agency as an ancillary duty. I love this aspect of law enforcement and have not had any bad encounters with drivers. I'm fairly well versed on the title 49 regulations and what not. Unfortunately this is an aspect of my job that I can't do regularly as I still have to answer calls for service.
The idea of truck driving sounds very appealing and I have no doubt I would enjoy it. My only concerns are taking a paycut (my base salary is $51,000ish) and being away from family. I am getting married at the end of September and the idea of going away for months at a time right after that doesn't sound all that great to me of my significant other. Money isn't everything for me, but at the same time, I'm not exactly in a position where I could take a paycut.
All in all, I'm tired of the micromanagement and the culture surrounding American law enforcement right now. The idea of changing careers is pretty scary, but being miserable in my current career isn't my much better.
Is there any advice or words of wisdom you guys are able to provide? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Nobody told you this but you’ll be just as stressed as a truck driver
Maybe the first year. Maybe. I'm on my 8th year and I do local P&D which is just about the hardest it gets in trucking and I'm pretty relaxed and my stress level is very minimal.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
P&D:
Pickup & Delivery
Local drivers that stay around their area, usually within 100 mile radius of a terminal, picking up and delivering loads.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers for instance will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.
Hey guys. This is my first post here. I was hoping to get some input on a career change from law enforcement to driving commercially.
I have been in law enforcement for about 5 years now. Needless to say, the current climate has been extremely demoralizing. Practices with my agency have changed dramatically and it seems like I can no longer do my job without a supervisor breathing down my neck or question every decision I make. The result is me coming home stressed and in a bad mood everyday.
I have my CDL A already, but have no experience outside of driving for the military. I was drawn to this career path as I do DOT inspections at my local agency as an ancillary duty. I love this aspect of law enforcement and have not had any bad encounters with drivers. I'm fairly well versed on the title 49 regulations and what not. Unfortunately this is an aspect of my job that I can't do regularly as I still have to answer calls for service.
The idea of truck driving sounds very appealing and I have no doubt I would enjoy it. My only concerns are taking a paycut (my base salary is $51,000ish) and being away from family. I am getting married at the end of September and the idea of going away for months at a time right after that doesn't sound all that great to me of my significant other. Money isn't everything for me, but at the same time, I'm not exactly in a position where I could take a paycut.
All in all, I'm tired of the micromanagement and the culture surrounding American law enforcement right now. The idea of changing careers is pretty scary, but being miserable in my current career isn't my much better.
Is there any advice or words of wisdom you guys are able to provide? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Nobody told you this but you’ll be just as stressed as a truck driver
Uhh, no. If driving after a few months has you more stressed than life or death situations, you're doing something wrong. Very wrong. Apples and oranges.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
In your opinion. when im watching videos an officer getting his clock cleaned by a piece of metal getting thrown at the back of his neck while bystanders laughed. On top of now officers having to wonder if they are gonna get crucified for any decision they make. I'd say being a truck driver sounds pretty good in comparison. Like Daniel said, first year maybe. But if you were able to handle law enforcement for the past 5 years. There isn't much you can't handle. The 1st year for me had its moments but overrall wasn't that stressful. Thank you for your service by the way Sean.
Hey guys. This is my first post here. I was hoping to get some input on a career change from law enforcement to driving commercially.
I have been in law enforcement for about 5 years now. Needless to say, the current climate has been extremely demoralizing. Practices with my agency have changed dramatically and it seems like I can no longer do my job without a supervisor breathing down my neck or question every decision I make. The result is me coming home stressed and in a bad mood everyday.
I have my CDL A already, but have no experience outside of driving for the military. I was drawn to this career path as I do DOT inspections at my local agency as an ancillary duty. I love this aspect of law enforcement and have not had any bad encounters with drivers. I'm fairly well versed on the title 49 regulations and what not. Unfortunately this is an aspect of my job that I can't do regularly as I still have to answer calls for service.
The idea of truck driving sounds very appealing and I have no doubt I would enjoy it. My only concerns are taking a paycut (my base salary is $51,000ish) and being away from family. I am getting married at the end of September and the idea of going away for months at a time right after that doesn't sound all that great to me of my significant other. Money isn't everything for me, but at the same time, I'm not exactly in a position where I could take a paycut.
All in all, I'm tired of the micromanagement and the culture surrounding American law enforcement right now. The idea of changing careers is pretty scary, but being miserable in my current career isn't my much better.
Is there any advice or words of wisdom you guys are able to provide? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Nobody told you this but you’ll be just as stressed as a truck driver
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
I'm under no illusion that I won't be stressed. I just feel that it'll be a different type of stress.
I got a call from Werner this morning, asking when I would like to start. I'm still thinking about it. This would be a huge decision and I want to make sure I'm making the right one.
Do you guys have any suggestions on questions I should be asking the recruiter, in order to have a better understanding the job, pay best type of accounts as far as home time and pay go? I appreciate any input.
Biggest thing we highly discourage with new drivers is any type of dedicated account for any business that has the word, "Dollar" in it: Family Dollar, Dollar General, etc.
These are tight backing situations, physically unloading the trailers, usually at multiple stops each day.
It is a recipe for disaster for a brand new driver.
Sean as others have stated; thank you for being a public servant and upholding our laws. Our society cannot function without dedication and courage like yours.
Of everything you indicated; honestly I’d be more concerned with how a trucking career will affect your lives as a newlywed couple. I’m not going to sugarcoat the message, trucking can ruin a marriage unless you are both on the exact same page. And even then, weeks of separation is something that once experienced, everyone handles it differently. But it may well be the biggest stress contributor you’ll face.
Good luck!!!
Sean, you and your fiancé’ should read this blog article together...
Over The Road:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Bro, I'm retired LEO. Suck it up. Make Sgt. Work OT and side jobs. Put in your 20 THEN drive!! Driving is good....bad in your family situation, and for the first couple years about the same or less than you are making now. The benefits suck. There's no union.... You worked hard to get where you are! Stick to it! If you're unhappy, look to another Department, or State, or Federal. Don't give up what so many wished they had. Hang in there bro...... and good luck with the new family. Brian
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Nobody told you this but you’ll be just as stressed as a truck driver
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.