Making A Good Choice?

Zachary, I too have a college degree - BS in Criminology no less. When I applied to various law enforcement agencies I'm not sure that my parents were too thrilled about it. Maybe they figured I was in the process to becoming a lawyer (and thus that journey stalled out by stopping at the law enforcement level?), or maybe they just weren't too happy with cops in general. However, I did it anyway and enjoyed myself and made a living. I'm not saying to disregard family concerns or be disrespectful, but it is your life so the choice is ultimately yours as to how to live it.

From your posts it seems like you have researched it enough at this point to make a rational decision, so good for you. Also remember this, I have always told those people who have worked for me that "they" can take your job, but "they" can't take your experience. You learn and grow from everything that you do so, give it a whirl! Best of luck.

I would say that if you have the right attitude and get thrills from unique challenges, then you may enjoy trucking. I personally love the freedom to do my job, and the blessed absence of anyone looking over my shoulder. I pull doubles , so the additonal challenges are a lot of fun for me. Planning your haul can be a detailed as you make it, so plan on your plan being thwarted at least occasionally by weather, traffic, customers, mechanical issues...etc. Those make your life very fulfilling when you handle it with the right attitude. Last week a super-single exploded on my rear axle. I've seen guys lose their entire mind over stuff like that. I just roll with it....no blood pressure spikes required for that.

I really like the comedy at the various places that trucking takes you. Truck stops are nonstop fun, as are shippers/receivers. People are endlessly entertaining so if you like people, or at least know how to handle various personalities, you will gather a treasure trove of great memories.

Some guys just have a job in trucking; some have a lifestyle. Neither is more or less correct that the other, but are determined by your level of commitment. I had a local job for six months. Wasn't all that bad, but every day was a frantic rush to earn a living, and I can only look at the same place for so long. Some people are fine with that, so you gotta evaluate yourself to know how hard you want to push yourself and then find a fit for yourself. I tested out for all endorsements when I got my CDL so that I wouldn't be limited. It paid off because within a year I was across the country pulling 60 ton doubles up and down mountains. I never imagined doing that, but here I am. The point being, be very flexible. That can break your spirit down if you are in a truck, several states away from home, and not flexible in your current situation.

I hope I was able to help you out in your search, and be sure to get some of the other seasoned guys here to respond to you as well. Trucking is a lot of fun!!

Your family sounds like mine. I married a truck driver, and I'm not quite sure they've gotten over the fact that I live in a double-wide (even though it is a very nice one) and basically refuse to go back to working in an office even though I have a business degree. I'm a bit scared of their reaction if I say I want to drive over the road , but my husband is telling me to go if it's what I want to do. Eventually, I'll have to tell them & deal with the fallout. They'll do their best to talk me out of it, possibly to the extent of bribery. It should be highly interesting.

Oh, and Mom has always told me that she wishes she had my brains because she'd actually use them. I'm not sure devising to go drove will improve the situation.

Do what makes you happy.

When I was a kid there was a lady that lived in the ally and I walked by her every single day she never bothered anyone never asked for money and was always drunk.

the other guys in the ally always asked for money and bothered everyone. I enjoyed them. one (bob) even tried to run for mayor lol. they were all happy.

the lady though!!! when she died they found $400,000 in cash on in her "stuff" turns out she owned a couple houses around the corner in Bellflower they were paid for and she just collected the rent for years. lol she wanted to live in the ally. She was happy.

one of the other guys named Louie his dad would come visit him about every 6 months but always at least once a year and hed beg Louie to come home. hed always come in a limo lol. he was from Cuba or something like that... he even asked us to convince him... the most he would do is sometimes go to church with us but thats it he was HAPPY.

do what makes you Happy.

If you have a family though... do what makes them happy. and by family I mean wife and kids. when your married and have kids it goes kids, wife, dog, you.

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