Trucker Vs Mechanic

Topic 7471 | Page 2

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Budronis's Comment
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As I plan for my second career, I continue to have a very strong desire to be a professional truck driver. However, I have a young family and struggle with a positive way I could negate the away time. I also have a strong desire to experience OTR and would need to get that "out of my system" before moving to a more family friendly routine. That said, as a happy medium, I have been thinking about getting trained as a diesel mechanic, getting my CDL , then working at a large truck service center. This might allow me to be a part of the industry in a way that is family friendly. Then when the time is right, I'll drive OTR. Any thoughts? Thanks.

I am just starting out in trucking after many years working as a mechanic. From my experience being a mechanic can not only get very boring over time, but it also is very hard on your body. The pay also varies greatly, Diesel tends to make more but it is harder on the body and the tools are very expensive. Diesel work is not easy everything is heavy and the exposure to toxic chemicals is higher. No job is fun but it just seems to me that truck driving or even holding a CDL is much more valuable over the long-term.

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.

OTR:

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.

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