Who has ever felt like they wanted something else than trucking?
Posted by Actual-Ad-6146@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 41 comments
Going on 5 years and mid 30’s, and I just want something to else. The industry feels like such a sad little existence after a while. I have nothing left to prove to myself or anyone else. Not saying I know it all, I just don’t have that drive like I used to. I’ve been smart with money to the point where it’s not what I care about anymore. Payday doesn’t keep me going. It’s just cool, whatever. Like damn, sometimes I wish I could have a regular ass job with a regular ass group of guys talking shit having fun. Connection, friends, boots on the fkn ground.
MustangMark83@reddit
Been doing this 22 years. I hate it, I’m miserable , yeah the money is good and that’s why I’m still here. I wish I could do something else but have zero other qualifications. I’m stuck.
Buckeyeguy013@reddit
Miserable is definitely the feeling. Shit is getting depressing
rolisrntx@reddit
And…Five years from now you will sitting in an air conditioned office burnt out on corporate BS feeling your life is another sad little existence. Working sucks. No matter it’s form.
Buckeyeguy013@reddit
At least corporate bs has set schedules instead of being in a truck for 12-16 hours a day and not knowing when you’ll be done
Buckeyeguy013@reddit
Trust me I feel you. I’m mid 30s and 7 years into this. I’m trying to get out of here myself. I’m trying to figure out my exit strategy now.
Kenworthsteve@reddit
Yes
Get out. You are young enough to do ANYTHING.
Can you imagine going another ten years in current role and wondering, regretting what you could have done???
WeWantTheFunk73@reddit
You're (almost) always young enough to do anything. I'm just getting INTO trucking at 53. Corporate life has burned me out.
Kenworthsteve@reddit
I share the same philosophy. I'm 66. I got in at 60. I'm now home nightly but looking for a different career path that will utilize my experience and credentials but in role that is more life wor balanced. In other words although I like the truck I prefer to not be in it 55 hours a week. So yes, at 66 I'm going to start over.
PanDulce101@reddit
That’s fucking amazing to hear as a 21 year old
WeWantTheFunk73@reddit
👍
rolisrntx@reddit
Same here. Getting in at 60. Burnt out on the tech sector I have worked in for the last 41 years.
Antony9991@reddit
40 years in the tech sector and you couldn't retire before 60?
rolisrntx@reddit
It’s not that I can’t retire. I don’t want to for a few years.
Baconated-Coffee@reddit
Go do something else then, it's only a trap if you let it be one.
unftp-0@reddit
It sounds easy enough, but I feel like if you’re older with kids and expensive bills then it’s pretty hard to just “do something else” because with every job you have to start out with low pay then build the pay up over time.
ThePinkMohawk@reddit
I got a side job working for a race team. I'll be working all but 10 days in June, making a bunch of money and seeing some really cool race tracks.
There's always opportunities to do other things than drive OTR. When I'm back home I run CNCs and lathes and run a box truck for a place that makes arcade and pinball cabinets and parts.
Bagzthehoney@reddit
This or get into a different side of the game that gives you what you want
arrynyo@reddit
I drove a truck for 3 years. Got out, started a business hauling single parts expediting. Did that for 3 years. Just got back into it because some other people doing the same thing found out I got a sweet rate and undercut tf outta me.
WallaWallaby011@reddit
Couldn’t imagine doing that when my truck only gets 11mpg on a good day 😂🥲
arrynyo@reddit
I was getting $2.35 per loaded mile andy truck gets 25mpg on the highway. 2017 F150 with the 2.7 Ecoboost. I got over a lot on the gas. A trip to Chicago cost me maybe $100 in gas but paid like $650 close to $700. It was crazy good while it lasted.
WallaWallaby011@reddit
Yeah my 1997 Chevrolet C-1500 with the 5.7 is lucky to get 12 mpg 😂
arrynyo@reddit
Yea you'd be running tight if you did the stuff I did. I went everywhere in the lower 48
Mindless_Library22@reddit
All of us, with ai coming not many options left besides the trades unfortunately
firemarshalbill316@reddit
Either option you choose after a while you will feel the same way at your new job. You've just outgrown it. That's normal.
What is insane is staying somewhere because you are trapped from not knowing how to manage money and lack of options.
Try new stuff as much as you can. It actually makes you more marketable in some cases.
Life is to be enjoyed. Don't take the slow walk to the grave lying down.
"Go to work, go home. Avocado with that." American Dad
ChaosBeforeOrder@reddit
how is it insane if theres no options? just starve on the streets?
firemarshalbill316@reddit
There are always choices. You may not like them and they might hurt or even get you wacked.
But there is always a choice. Period.
Choose your pain.
ChaosBeforeOrder@reddit
honestly just shut the fuck up, you probably ain't spent the past decade homeless like myself walking out on jobs knowing I'm already homeless, starving to death is not much of an option or a choice, you speaking to somebody who just quit and is still homeless on the streets officially unemployed... I'M LIVING what you're speaking on and I'm telling you starving to death watching your bank account go to zero isn't an option, a viable option is to get another job lol
firemarshalbill316@reddit
You're right
TrappedinTX@reddit
This is where I'm at too. It's a good job. And the one I have especially is absolutely a dream. But I find myself wanting more. I don't wanna be a driver forever. But it's hard to picture what I wanna do when this one is so good and I feel absolutely insane for wanting to give it up. But it's just unfulfilling. I make 100k a year, I work Tuesday to Friday a dedicated route with my wife from Dallas to Portland and back. Who would give that up! All that to say, I feel ya man.
Few_Jacket845@reddit
It's the black hole. Got my CDL in 2020 after I got home from IET for the Army Guard. It's a blessing because it's been the one thing I can consistently feed my family with. But it's a curse because I'd rather be doing something else. Thankfully I'm local, and own my truck. So it could be worse. But it could also be better.
ares_cdl@reddit
Sounds like you need a therapist.
NJNeal17@reddit
You can do it, I know bc I did:
Signed up for a music school after I saved the cash, told my boss I was taking the time off for the school well in advance, but likely would come back while I searched for music jobs and replenished my cash reserves.
This is one of the best jobs for spring-boarding into something different!
ElectronicGarden5536@reddit
You can literally do whatever you want. You have free will.
fuzzybrewer063@reddit
five years is that sweet spot where you know enough to be competent but youve seen enough to know its not filling anything anymore. the money thing especially gets you cause once youre comfortable the job just becomes a box to tick and that wears on you different than when youre trying to build something. ive got mates who left the industry and half of them found something they liked better and half realized the grass wasnt greener but at least they know now instead of wondering at fifty five. the connection thing you mentioned is real though and thats probably harder to find in a lot of other work than people think. might be worth exploring a trade or something hands on where youre working alongside people toward something tangible rather than just grinding miles alone. youre at the age where you can still take a pay cut and learn something new without it destroying you financially.
MegaDuck71@reddit
I am in the same boat and in my 30’s. Over the last year I passed my Private Pilot License tests, working on my Instrument Flight Rules rating and hope to get my Commercial Pilot certificate in the next year. There are less expensive ways out of the industry but I like traveling and seeing the world so this is the one I am pursuing. Hope you find your exit.
0263111771@reddit
Job burnout. No matter what you do for work you will have it. Try another job for a year and clear your head.
Gullible-Syrup-6896@reddit
If you don't want to do it anymore, then don't. I got into trucking early on accident and felt insecure about not pursuing something more academic/white collar. I tried being an engineer, an office worker, management. I always ended up back in trucking because I like it. That's not everybody though, maybe your thing is still out there.
Initial-Relation-696@reddit
small local home daily jobs you can have that, might make a touch less but you get to know your co workers. asphalt companies, even if you camp trailer at jobs, gives you a good work together get the job done feel.
jessithecrow@reddit
i just started a service/recovery truck with a cool old project cabover i got.
do something trucking adjacent to keep that itch scratched, but something that also reminds you how shitty full time otr would be to go back to lol
WallaWallaby011@reddit
I tried getting out.. nothing else pays as well!! Local truck driving is the only way I can actually save money… at 28 I think I’m just going to stick with it. And being a yard switcher driving a freightliner keeps me in shape 😭😂🤣
Chillimaniac@reddit
I feel it too. My problem is I don’t know anything I’m qualified to do that also won’t make me wanna bash my face in with a rock. I also am by myself with my dog. So it really is my best option right now at least as long as he’s with me.
But then I have that day where things go smoothly and I roll down the interstate with mild traffic and sun on my skin and I can’t imagine doing anything else. Idk. I know i can leave anytime but it’s the best scenario for me right now, so I don’t.