Is trucking worth it?
Posted by EmergencyViolinist31@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 25 comments
Long story short I got my cdl at 19 with the promise I would hual gravel. Well the guy completely blew me off after I got my cdl (clean record btw) and im now with a power line company barely making 800 a week , I talked to two mega carriers for when I turn 21 and most of them sound like a fever dream to taken home 1k a week wich is what im aiming for also I was pushing 1200 a week as a plumber ( before my fcking company went bankrupt) any advice?
Ok_Application_2292@reddit
My secretary son is doing line work had to grind it for 2 yrs. Has changed jobs 3 times (all in iine work) just made last move making 37 an hour. More than you will see in trucking. Just a FYI
Pappy181181@reddit
You could look into an electrical union or heavy equipment operators union. I started in trucking and later moved into the operators union working with cranes. The pay and work-life balance were a big improvement. Last year I made about 132k and was only away from home a few months total. If you can get into a trade early and stick with it, the long-term benefits and pension can be very strong.
Gilgamesh2000000@reddit
Go into plumbing.
EmergencyViolinist31@reddit (OP)
I have been working for 3 diffrent plumbing companies 1 of wich was my family's no one wants to give me an apprentice card even after 2 years no thank you
PapaJuja@reddit
Go into facility management
Frogspoison@reddit
1k with a mega is rare and requires you to never go home.
EmergencyViolinist31@reddit (OP)
Even with 1year or more experience?
Financial-Prize9691@reddit
I have never made less than 60k year trucking. My first year I worked my ass off and stayed out the entire year OTR. I averaged over 3000 mi a week @ $0.38 a mile and I don't really recommend that.
I recommend a skilled trade that can benefit from a CDL. There is still money in trucking, you just have to be willing to do what other people won't or can't do.
Frogspoison@reddit
Yup. Go with a smaller company
donnthebuilder@reddit
i do it for the chicks. i put ima truck on dating app and its much higher bang rate
ConsciousAwareness69@reddit
Sadly the opposite is true
zMidnight-@reddit
If I were you I’d look into being a package handler for a LTL company like Southeastern. Build some seniority, they’ll get your class A if you have a class B now, or even a final mile truck no CDL required they pay like $28/hour. I’m 30 and I just can’t go back and start at the bottom like that
Jondiesel78@reddit
Trucking is becoming less and less worth it.
Go into a trade, and keep that CDL. I'm in a trade that regularly requires me to use my CDL. I've had my CDL for 30 years, and a year has never passed where I didn't use it.
JavyBarrera25@reddit
I got down voted in a sub about jobs yesterday some guy said his 18 year old can’t find any kind of work, I suggested to his dad like hey have him get a CDL he’ll have lots of opportunities later on always will have a job, and I got down voted? Like wtf what’s wrong with suggesting that? So YES in my opinion get it I tell people all the time even if you don’t use it have it in your back pocket
daemonescanem@reddit
Your not gonna have the experience at just 21 to get a good gig.
Like other poster said Mega's are driver mills, they churn thru drivers to keep pay down. Industry as a whole does this. Ik you said you want $1200 a week, your not gonna get that rn. You need at least 2 years of experience and to be in right spot.
Be patient if you can. Best of luck
Ok-Combination7287@reddit
I keep hearing people say " you'll make more a atad person". I'm a licensed stationary engineer and supervise a boiler plant at a college. My buddy in his first year trucking made what I make. Last year he made 40k more than i did and was home every night.
Remember reddit attracts people venting, a lot. Take advice with a grain of salt. I start cdl school Monday for the record.
RichCypher@reddit
If I were your age I would absolutely aim for a trade over trucking. Plumber, electrician, lineman all likely have far better long term potential and you are already there. Just put in your time and your will be set. You could always try out trucking later if you aren't happy. You will make far more per hour worked as a master tradesman. I have a dream trucking job and my electrician friend makes far more per hour with unlimited work potential and endless side jobs. If I could do it over...
MrGreenYo@reddit
I changed my life with trucking. I went from making 30k a year as a line cook to making 130k+ with amazing benefits, a great schedule, and fair work life balance. My family is happy and im happy. I dont work that hard anymore. That being said I grinded 4 hard years in foodservice as a truck driver to build my driving skill set and it wasnt easy. Trucking is just like anything else. Youre going to get out of it what you put in. The jobs that are really good are harder to get. All depends on you. What do you want out of trucking?
duhrun@reddit
No the AI trucks are fill up the yards waiting for permits.
Redsoxdragon@reddit
If you can actually find a job, cdl is the way to go since you're already licensed. Problem is, that's a pain in the ass at your age. You can try agricultural or construction companies. Put a some time in, once you're 21, get your tank haz, you can clear $2k take home before you're 23.
Personally, the ceiling is higher as a plumber. If you put the time in for the schooling, hours and apprenticeship, you could be a master plumber before you're 25. You have a skill that can save you and your family a metric shit ton of money, you can build your own business, you can work under the table, make your own hours.
Delicious_Peace_2526@reddit
I don’t think it’s better than the skilled trades. In order to keep labor rates low, Mega carriers only employ new drivers, convicted felons and drop outs, and people too unmotivated to quit. Independent carriers used to exist but unfortunately the going freight rates are influenced by the mega carriers and nobody can compete if they pay their drivers well. Your only bet to make above the market rate in trucking is to work for a company that has their own trucks and gals their own products that way their pay rate isn’t dictated by the open freight market. Unionized too helps. These barbs are harder to come by since they pay 50% more than most trucking jobs. If I were just getting into it, I’d go into a specific driving related trade like lineman or mobile crane operator.
homucifer666@reddit
Will those mega carriers still hire you knowing that you'll be limited to intrastate because you're under 21? You might want to check before you get your hopes up.
Also see if you can find a local trucking job before you just consign yourself to OTR. If you have no other options, then at least you tried, but at least look and see if you can avoid it.
EmergencyViolinist31@reddit (OP)
Yes I was talking regarding when I turn 21
TapWaterKY@reddit
There are trucking jobs for those under 21, but fairly difficult to find and don’t pay well at all. Once you’re 21, you’ll have infinitely more trucking opportunities and taking home 1k a week will be pretty easy to do.
I’d say use being under 21 as an opportunity to explore other trades that’d have a better work/life balance, union opportunities, higher pay cap, etc.
But if trucking intrigues you and fits your interests, then I’d say it can be worth it and enjoyable.
EmergencyViolinist31@reddit (OP)
Thank you i will look into it 👍