Thinking about returning
Posted by jinkeeez@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 7 comments
I was a trucker for a year and a half. Did OTR briefly and then got a home nightly regional gig for the bulk of that time and I hated it so bad I left trucking altogether and pursued a different career in water treatment…I’ve been doing this now for several months and I’m feeling myself kinda missing the truck..
One trucking job I had I was making $1500/week after taxes, now I’m not even clearing that every two weeks, even WITH overtime. It’s easy work, but I’m getting tired of the office politics and the social aspect of the position I’m in and I’m also just getting tired of the monotony. It’s just all the same day after day after day…
I know the decision is up to me ofc but I’m just wondering if this may be one of those “grass is greener on the other side” situations, or if trucking may really just be right for me again…when anyone asks me I really never say I hated trucking in general. I just really hated that home nightly regional gig tbh…
idk…how are yall feeling about trucking out there, maybe some perspective will help me decide if I’m just remembering it w Rose colored glasses
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit
I actually got my CDL A because I wanted to be a wastewater operator and some of the job postings required it. I have toured 8 local water/wastewater facilities and honestly it looked like all of them were just sitting around doing nothing and getting paid well for it. I’ve had a few non-CDL driver jobs in the past and although the pay sucked I loved being on the move, being outside, being in the present moment. Driving for me was fun and easy. I’m glad you posted this because my resume is catered to both industries, but I don’t have my water certs (failed the T2, math of course). As a former trucker I’m wondering how you liked your time in water? People say water/WW is an awesome job but I want to be a propane driver so bad for some reason.
jinkeeez@reddit (OP)
I think it just largely depends on what you’re looking for. I don’t know how involved WW is vs Drinking water, but drinking water is very “boring.” We are basically sitting around all day like you said. There’s lab work we have to do every other hour and checking the plant every couple hours but as long as things are working fine (which, it is 95% of the time) you’re really not doing much. And on some level is cool, but I do find myself thinking about the future and I just don’t know if I can do something this monotonous and routine year after year even if my pay *does* go up…also, getting paid well largely depends on who you work for too. Private companies pay more than municipalities, and I work for a municipality 🙃 But yeah, those are my thoughts, and who knows, maybe if I did like the look of my paycheck I’d just be chillin instead of looking elsewhere🤷🏾 I can’t really answer that tho cuz my biweekly pay isn’t even what I was making in a week in trucking. But I think WW pays more in general
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit
Water jobs pay well out here in CA. Based on what you said I think it would be much more engaging for me to do propane delivery, staying busy, getting fresh air and exercise. I really appreciate your input man.
jinkeeez@reddit (OP)
Oh yeah CA is top dawg when it comes to water and WW, but because of that it’s extreeeemely competitive to get in. But yeah, if you wanna be moving I’d say propane is the way to go, but I can also see how in the long term, when I’m old and tired, something like this job may come in handy and be perfect…but I’m young, bored, and broke right now!!😭😂
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit
Yep been applying for water jobs for maybe a year in CA with a couple of interviews and no offers. I’m not young like you, but after 25 years of trying all sorts of career options the funnest and easiest jobs I’ve had were related to driving.
nuget102@reddit
I don't think I would enjoy a nightly home gig. I really love the week off I get after being out for 5 weeks with my company. It gives me time to go camping when home, or to get some major projects done around the house without leaving them half finished. So maybe you're the same, it's hard to say.
What I will say is, even though this is my first year doing trucking, I am making more than I have at any other job I have ever worked. Even my 'bad' weeks are on par or more than what I was making working a 'normal' job. My pay doubled from pest control to trucking.
jinkeeez@reddit (OP)
Yeah that’s DEFINITELY what I missed too…like yeah I’m coming home everyday but I’m so tired I can’t do anything and I only get one day off. I wouldnt get a week off till I worked in that position for a full year. It was miserable to me. Staying out 5+ weeks to get a full week off was def more feasible to me