Should I Or Shouldn't I Become A Truck Driver

Greg, as a father and husband, I know what your going through. There are a few of us here that have experienced what your going through.

Everyone here has provided you with some AWESOME advice. I started my career in 2012, (my 2nd yr of marriage to my wife) I will tell you, that first year was the make it or break it of our relationship, but we beat it and I got 11 months OTR and found a local gig (not the best but it got me home nightly and I made about the same as OTR)

If you start now, complete schooling and get on with a company that will train you, you can get yourself out solo at the latest of Feb. giving you 3 months to get set up to being home for graduation. (its doable) HOWEVER, trucking is not a set routine. You can try all you want to get certain days off, but sh** happens and you'll not make it as planned. I strive every year to have my anniversary with my wife, Ive gotten 1 yr successful with that. Missed the first yr OTR, was a shame but I made it up the next time I was home.

I don't know what you make a yr now, but as a first year rookie you'll be looking at 30-32k for that yr. Is that the max? No, you can do more, but its an avg. Local drivers can see about 32-35 in a first yr. (This is from Salary.com) your 2nd yr you could see 35k+ and as the yrs go on, you can see more. In the 11months I did OTR my first yr, I got roughly 29k (missed 1 month which could put me at 30-32 depending on my miles if I'd stayed)

Truck driving is a lifestyle more than a job. You'll be in a space the size of a walk in closet, with no one with you. Its solitude at its finest. when your family is at home eating a great t-giving dinner, you'll probably be eating at a restraunt if your lucky or eating whatever is in your truck. You'll find yourself longing for the smell of your wife, a simple kiss, cuddling in bed or on the couch. Im not saying this to discourage you, but this is what its like. I'm not ashamed to say, Ive cried like a baby a few times in this career just because I was missing my wife and kids (im sure others have).

This biggest thing is, making sure not only you support your decision, but your wife and kids do too. As i said, the hardest part is the first yr. Its a test.

Good luck to you, and I look forward to hearing more on your story. We all are here for you and will help answer whatever questions you may have. -David

Dude!!! You really hit a nerve there. I mean I almost got choked up reading that. You guys have really given me some good advice and while My wife isn't accustomed to me being away since we have been together I am pretty familiar with the family separation thing as my time in the military has prepared me for that. However, there were some others there to keep me company during those times. It seems as though You guys whether it be on websites like this or just out on the road are really a good band of brothers (and sisters) and now more then ever I look foreword to sharing the roads with you. Maybe even enjoying that holiday dinner at a truck stop along the way... Thanks to ALL of you. I'M IN!!!

Wasn't aiming to hit a nerve, but unfortunetly thats what its like.

small things like Texts and phone calls go a long way. I try and send my wife a msg every morning or throught the day and talk every other day or every day if we can.

All the best for you sir, and good luck.

Hit the link below and watch the video. Pay special attention to the captions for each driver shown. While the video was done by JB Hunt its a very fair video assessment of drivers and their life.

Watch this video. Its very good and truthful

Yes that video is very good. I call my fiancee every morning to make sure she's up, but we have a chance to have coffee together as well as texting her at a minimum when I park for the day. She is very supportive but she still worries. We have skype and facetime also on those limited times we get time. She has a child in kindergarden and my schddule is anyghing but predictable. But it works for us. There is no magical answer. We are all different. You have to work that answer out between you and your signifanct other.

I did find that video as well as many more on you tube and they are very insightful as to what i should expect. Thanks to all for your advice... Be safe out there!!!!

I don't want to hijack this thread but it's 7 years old and I have essentially the same question just different personal details. I'll be 67 tomorrow and I've been retired from a career in software development for a couple of years now. My retirement finances are OK but marginal - my wife and I mostly rely on social security and we have medicare so things are covered assuming no disasters but we have little discretionary income to travel or do much in the fun column. Life revolves around our grandkids who are 2 and 5 and live close by and I see them for a sleepover every couple of weeks. I'm considering getting company sponsored training and going OTR for a year both to make some money to bolster the retirement and to see the country while I can still travel. My concerns are mostly about the physical requirements and staying awake during long days on the road. I don't think being away from home for weeks or the solitude etc. will be any problem. So do others start driving at a similarly late age and succeed or is this a recipe for disaster?

I'll be 67 tomorrow... My concerns are mostly about the physical requirements and staying awake during long days on the road.

If you can pass the D.O.T. physical you are good to go. Blood pressure needs to be no higher than 140/90. Vision needs to be at least 20/40. You need to have decent hearing. Other than those things it is simple to pass.

You can manage your time however it works best for you. I know several drivers who manage their time so they can take a nice nap in the middle of their day. You are in charge. As long as you deliver on time and do it safely, your driver manager will be quite thrilled with your results.

I started my trucking career at age 53. The same day I got hired there was another man getting hired who was 73! I have met several drivers who were in their 80's and still going strong. Check out this conversation where I introduced a flatbed driver that I met on the road who was 80 years old.

Trucking For The Long Haul

I don't want to hijack this thread but it's 7 years old and I have essentially the same question just different personal details. I'll be 67 tomorrow and I've been retired from a career in software development for a couple of years now. My retirement finances are OK but marginal - my wife and I mostly rely on social security and we have medicare so things are covered assuming no disasters but we have little discretionary income to travel or do much in the fun column. Life revolves around our grandkids who are 2 and 5 and live close by and I see them for a sleepover every couple of weeks. I'm considering getting company sponsored training and going OTR for a year both to make some money to bolster the retirement and to see the country while I can still travel. My concerns are mostly about the physical requirements and staying awake during long days on the road. I don't think being away from home for weeks or the solitude etc. will be any problem. So do others start driving at a similarly late age and succeed or is this a recipe for disaster?

Howdy!

My brother got his CDL just before his 61st bday. He talked me into doing it and I got mine just after I turned 63. He had a minor stroke and was able to go back out on the road. What sidelined him was his wife having seizures and having her license taken away.

I will be 70 next month and even having AFib that the VA dragged on with meds for 4 mths, after getting my heart shocked in Feb 2020, I have been running steadily since. Due to being on BP and anticoagulant meds, I get a physical once a year. I did mine yesterday and the doc was impressed that I am still driving and pretty healthy all things considered.

You can do it!

Laura

Laura reveals:

I will be 70 next month (July?)

Me too! Were we separated at birth?

I assume the ID in IDMtnGal is Idaho. My dad was born in Buhl.

Laura reveals:

I will be 70 next month (July?)

Me too! Were we separated at birth?

I assume the ID in IDMtnGal is Idaho. My dad was born in Buhl.

I was born in Chicago on 26 July 1951... All us good people are born in July :-)

When I came back from a one-year tour to Sardinia, Italy, I got stationed at Mountain Home. After I got out of the Air Force in 1988, I drove for May Trucking for 4 months and I moved to Boise. A couple years later I married my husband, who was a native of Idaho and due to him working on cattle ranches, we worked in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. A number of years after his Traumatic Brain Injury, we moved back to Idaho...in Buhl, where I still live, .25 mile north of the high school.

SMALL WORLD!!

Laura

Thanks for the replies and encouragement. Sounds like it is definitely doable. I guess if and when I decide to take the plunge I would need to figure out which companies offer training that run diverse routes nationwide and pay reasonably. I'm surprised that pay varies so much ($30k-$90k) over different companies. Obviously the top companies have pick of the most experienced, reliable drivers, but are the lower paid ones mostly rookies tied to a contract for a year? How important is choosing the right company?