Is trucking right for me?
Posted by jewinblue@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 14 comments
Just as the title says, thinking about getting into trucking and wondering if you guys think it would be worth it in my situation. I’m honestly just looking to stack money and have a respectable career.
I’m a 25 year old male with no wife or kids, i have some friends but for the most part I’m not a very social person, and I love working on my own with minimal customer or manager interaction. I don’t particularly have a passion for anything but I do enjoy driving. I’m alright with working 12 hour days , but do want at least SOME kind of structure (not like an HVAC tech or a plumber who get called out in the middle of the night) the only thing I’d really care about is having saturdays off.
I do understand that I’ll have to deal with idiots on the road and bosses and such, but I feel like it’s much better than any other gig I can think of.
RectumRavager69@reddit
Your first year is going to be the hardest and will be what makes or breaks you in this industry. It's likely going to be OTR for a mega, you're not going to make shit for money (I'm on pace for about 42k gross and about 18k net) and you're going to do 48-50 60-70 hour weeks in a row. But if you can slog your way through that and manage to not hit anything that matters and not die you'll be alright.
Also expect no less than half a dozen to a dozen instances where someone comes within inches or fractions of a second from killing themselves and potentially you and everyone immediately behind or in front of you because they're too fuckin dumb to not drive impaired or distracted or like an asshole if not all three at once.
Environmental-Pear40@reddit
Maybe, I mean, personally I hate driving. Always have, My burning hatred has only grown since I got my CDL and eventually I will probably move to an Amish community. Not because I'm against technology but because I can get away from cars and traffic. Retirement goals.
Alubsey@reddit
It’s not right for most of us. You make it work or your don’t. 😂
Kan-ka@reddit
Go to a dedicated driving job where you can get weekends off
RedlineM5@reddit
What's a Saturday?
Outrageous-Trip-7376@reddit
I been at my first local job for a year almost next month , it’s the perfect fit for me , holidays off , I work 40/45 hours a week , mon - fri , light interactions with people , it’s the perfect introvert trucking schedule I think I’ll ever get lol
Outrageous-Trip-7376@reddit
$28 a hour driving a 48’ reefer averaging 3-6 stops a day , very light labor
Sad-Sir4306@reddit
You will have no days off for about 2 weeks in a row
Salt-Fee-9543@reddit
Get a local class “b” job delivering. Usually better pay and home every night. Just need ur hazmat endorsement. I’m 6:30-3:00 Monday-Friday over $30 a hour
stephenforbes@reddit
I don't recommend it to my worst enemy and I did it for 5 years.
stephenforbes@reddit
I would find something else unless you want to work 6 days a week and always be tired. It's a shitshow out there in the trucking world.
chrisjayyyy@reddit
Saturdays off is gonna be the dealbreaker
trucksarekewl@reddit
Absolutely bro. If I could do it all over again, I'd go otr and live out of the truck for a couple years. I would save a shit ton of money, pay off my debts and buy a decent house. Its not a glorious career but not a bad way to earn a living.
Ricemunchr@reddit
you sound like the right candidate but expecting weekends or holidays off is a long shot in this unless you get your experience up and get into a company who gives you holidays off.