Truck Driving?

Question

Is truck driving a good career or is it a bad choice? What's the worst thing about being a truck driver?

Open opinions!

Answer 1

I have been driving trucks for 19 years ten years OTR Nine years local.

OTR is OK if you are single, if you have wife/girlfriend better go with a local driving job.

Pay for a OTR driver is low considering how many hours you actually work. Most OTR drivers get paid by the mile, but not for all the time loading or unloading,etc.

Then you also have to remember all the other crap that goes with the JOB, the DOT, speedtraps, Not being able to sleep because Lot Lizards keep banging on your door,etc.

All said and done, dont belive anything a truck driving school or recruiter tells you.

Answer 2

Truck driving over the road takes a special person. Some can do it and some cant. If you are confident person and have faith in your relationships, then things will good. My husband and I have a great marriage and our life together is great even though he is gone alot. Everytime he comes home its like falling in love all over again. If you dont have trust than it wont work. Just like any job. The pay is good if you shop around. We just bought our own truck and we are doing good even with the high price of fuel. When he was a company driver he made good money too. After so many years he wanted to try on his own. Im glad we did because now we have freedom to pick and choose the loads. Its great!!!!

Answer 3

Truck driving requires a lot of self-discipline; you don't usually have a "boss" watching over your shoulder, so you have to manage yourself. Patience is definitely a required virtue, impatience can get you killed.

I've been an over the road driver for almost 4 years. I love driving. It does have an impact on your family, so if you're married or have kids, they need to be part of the decision-making.

I figured up earlier today that I've driven just over 58,000 miles since January 3rd of this year. That's around the world twice, plus almost half-way around again. Pretty cool when you think of it like that.

The worst thing about being a truck driver is sharing the road with automobile drivers who don't respect the big trucks. It takes a lot longer to take off, get up to speed, change lanes, and (most importantly) STOP!

Like BenH said, If you bought it, a trucker brought it. Look around. Everything from the pc in front of you to the carpet on the floor to the underwear on your hiney have ALL been in a truck at some time. EVERYTHING. It's a very important but underrated industry. I'm proud to be part of it.

Answer 4

I've been driving for 23 years. For the last 5 years I'm with Multi Group Logistics, it's the best thing that happened to me so far. Mostlly hook and drop, you drive as many miles as you want. I usually make at least $2,000 a week. When I want to go home for the weekend I just tell my dispatch and he sends me home, and then it's up to me how long I want to stay there. I have 2 friends who go to cellege and work here too. They work 2-3 days a week and make $1,000. It's a medium size company about 400 trucks but as I said it's the best thing that happened to me.

Answer 5

Ive done it for over 10 years now. It has always put food on the table, and can be rewarding. It is also hard on marriages though. You can expect in the beginning, to work 10 days straight, and get 2-3 off. As you get more experience, other opportunities will present themselves to you. More opportunities will present themselves at 1 yr., 2 yr., and 5 yr. You can expect to get about 2500 mi., per week. I used to spend about 150.00 each week on food, etc. You can write this off your taxes, but most likely, you will not get reimbursed for it, but you might get a per diem. Hope this helps, and keep in mind that the recruiters for trucking companies and trucking schools are bigger liars than military recruiters, LOL.
I now make about 900 per week and get home every other night and off weekends and holidays. I haul for a company servicing a major truck manufacturer. Look for something in your area like this, and you'll find it. The one good thing about trucking is that you can find a job on the dark side of the moon, as everybody everywhere needs stuff, and if you've got it, a truck brought it.
Once again, lots of luck, hope it works out for you.

Answer 6

I work for a trucking company, but I dont drive. Many people enjoy it. if you have a woman, you are going to be away from home for long periods usually, depending on the company and what they haul. most truck drivers gain alot of weight since they dont do anything except for eat out and sit on their a$$ all day. the money can be good, depending once again on the company and the product you are hauling. I have the chance to drive, but i choose not to. i like going home to my woman everyday

Answer 7

It's a pretty deadly job. From what I hear, you can't make any money unless you're an independant. Then, gas prices can really cut into any profits. It's hard to keep a family since you're on the road a lot - as was the case for my friend's dad that was a trucker. I do a lot of driving throughout the west coast, so I know all the trucker stops. It's not a glorious life by any means. If you check out the classifieds, you see a lot of companies that stress that there's minimal loading/unloading. I'm guessing that some truckers have to actually unload/untie cargo, or load/tie up cargo as part of their duties.

You go to trucking school, get a license. Then, you're on your way. I thought about it for a few months but in the end I wanted something less redneck.

Answer 8

the long hours/days/weeks away from your loved ones

Answer 9

it is good, the worst thing is sitting on your *** all day.