Is there life after driving?

[Phreddo]

I have decided I don't want to drive for the rest of my life, but I think trucking is a viable industry in which to work.
What other areas could I explore? What would be a logical career path within the field of trucking?
Also, I'm currently hauling fuel, and I could see getting more involved in that industry as well, but I'm just spitballing here.

[millersod215]

I stepped out of a truck for a while, and personally found it to be a tough adjustment, it only lasted for 3 months until i had to get back to driving. There was a time for me though when i ran heavy equipment and thoroughly enjoyed it, and probably would have still been doing it today if the housing industry in Florida didn't take a dive, I was clearing land and setting up house pads, basically all aspects of new construction. That might be something to think about, or some sort of logistics coordinator, better known as a dispatcher, or driver manager. Just a few thoughts, but don't be suprised when you miss driving, but i think if you can find something good, that keeps you interested, your memories of driving will fade quickly.

[Jumbo]

If you are good at lying you could always be a dispatcher:)

[Mackman]

I agree with millersod on this one. I tried to leave trucking and i last 3 months as well. I went to go work on tugboats made alot more money then i did trucking. But i missed trucking alot. Every time we went under a bridge i would look up and see a truck go over and just wished it was me in there. So i gave up on the tugs and got back into trucks. Onces it in your blood its hard to get it out. Just sucks there isn't more money it.


Like my dad told me if i have my passion for trucks for something Else like being a doctor i would be rich.

[RostyC]

I agree with millersod on this one. I tried to leave trucking and i last 3 months as well. I went to go work on tugboats made alot more money then i did trucking. But i missed trucking alot. Every time we went under a bridge i would look up and see a truck go over and just wished it was me in there. So i gave up on the tugs and got back into trucks. Onces it in your blood its hard to get it out. Just sucks there isn't more money it.


Like my dad told me if i have my passion for trucks for something Else like being a doctor i would be rich.

We need to drain some of the Mack out of your blood and shove some Peterbilt in there.:lol:

[Mackman]

We need to drain some of the Mack out of your blood and shove some Peterbilt in there.:lol:

I got more peterbilt blood in me then you think:thumbsup: You will soon see.

[Justruckin]

I sold everything and closed the doors a few months ago. Getting the hang of doing laundry, dishes, dusting, vaccuming, windows, cutting the grass, painting, reconnected with my dogs and even turned a spare room into a walk-in closet. Plenty of life after trucking, and am actually better off financially as I don't have the expense of operating the truck at a loss/break even before paying myself.

No remorse here in regards to driving, I don't miss it a bit, nor the headaches involved in such an economy.

[LOAD IT]

The life after trucking is to become a broker/agent. You are a guy with previous experience so you know what needs to happen with a load besides just the rate and when you work to satisfy the carrier you will have repeat business and everytime your phone rings you will make money. You dont have to be a liar to be a broker/dispatcher but some people cant handle the truth. If your shipper is paying $4000 to move the load and your carrier demands $3000 to move the load, most carriers cant handle the truth of you making $1000 from using your phone, and computer. You move a couple loads like this each week and life after trucking dont look so bad.

[Justruckin]

The life after trucking is to become a broker/agent. You are a guy with previous experience so you know what needs to happen with a load besides just the rate and when you work to satisfy the carrier you will have repeat business and everytime your phone rings you will make money. You dont have to be a liar to be a broker/dispatcher but some people cant handle the truth. If your shipper is paying $4000 to move the load and your carrier demands $3000 to move the load, most carriers cant handle the truth of you making $1000 from using your phone, and computer. You move a couple loads like this each week and life after trucking dont look so bad.

There is a little bit more to it than that. If it was that easy, everyone would be a broker... Oops, we already did that, and the majority of them are now gone after trashing the rates while many lined their pockets at our expense. And I say good riddance.

[bentstrider]

Well, if you plan on wanting to have a family life, then there's those suggestions listed by millersod guy.

But, if you went into and enjoyed after escaping some other thing you didn't like, then keep driving until you know for sure you've had your fill.

Only way I'll ever stop missing trucking is if I go to someplace where none of them are, but that's not a possibility.
2 years down, one more to go.

[Phreddo]

Well, I'm thinking I've got my 3 years in, so I'm at the point where i'm pretty much a full-fledged trucker. At this point I feel like I'm making about as much as I can for what I do. There are other companies that pay more, but that would be me deciding to go career in trucking.
Right now, I'm hauling fuel, and I like it well enough. I just know that I don't think my current company is where I would build a 20 year career.
So my 3 immediate choices are

1. Stay where I am
2. Try and get in with one of the branded carriers, like Kwik Trip, Kelley-Williamson, Flying J or somesuch.
3. Buy a truck.

The seed of this train of thought was this listing for a VP of Distribution at Uline, and I got to thinking "what is a VP of Distribution, and how does one become a VP of Distribution?"

Now, I know I would probably never do that, but it got me wondering about a career path and what steps I could take when my body tells me that I can no longer drive, or if some freak accident puts me out of the truck or whatever.

I'm just trying to plan ahead.

[Orangetxguy]

The life after trucking is to become a broker/agent. You are a guy with previous experience so you know what needs to happen with a load besides just the rate and when you work to satisfy the carrier you will have repeat business and everytime your phone rings you will make money. You dont have to be a liar to be a broker/dispatcher but some people cant handle the truth. If your shipper is paying $4000 to move the load and your carrier demands $3000 to move the load, most carriers cant handle the truth of you making $1000 from using your phone, and computer. You move a couple loads like this each week and life after trucking dont look so bad.



THATS IT!!!!! You have now convinced me that brokering freight is definately the way to live my "Trucking" life!!!!




OTG Brokerage will be opening soon, amid much fanfare, with hotlinks, boudain, catfish and hush puppies for everyone!!! :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:



Drivers....come make me rich!!!! :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

[Orangetxguy]

Well, I'm thinking I've got my 3 years in, so I'm at the point where i'm pretty much a full-fledged trucker. At this point I feel like I'm making about as much as I can for what I do. There are other companies that pay more, but that would be me deciding to go career in trucking.
Right now, I'm hauling fuel, and I like it well enough. I just know that I don't think my current company is where I would build a 20 year career.
So my 3 immediate choices are

1. Stay where I am
2. Try and get in with one of the branded carriers, like Kwik Trip, Kelley-Williamson, Flying J or somesuch.
3. Buy a truck.

The seed of this train of thought was this listing for a VP of Distribution at Uline, and I got to thinking "what is a VP of Distribution, and how does one become a VP of Distribution?"

Now, I know I would probably never do that, but it got me wondering about a career path and what steps I could take when my body tells me that I can no longer drive, or if some freak accident puts me out of the truck or whatever.

I'm just trying to plan ahead.



This is sad. Just how old are you??


Three years driving truck, and you are already looking for "life after trucking"??



I have 31 years behind the wheel. I have a clear vision of what I want "after trucking". I had planned on doing the "after trucking" life, at 55. Now I have to push it farther. Maybe 60. Maybe 65.



My version of "life after trucking"? A small farm, where I can raise table meat, veggies to go with that meat, sell some meat, veggies or hay to others, and when the mood strikes me, hook the boat up, and go fishing. :thumbsup:

[SickofDriving]

I quit trucking in general dec 2007. Im 36 yerars old and drove since I was 26,Ive been driving otr,regional,local,etc... for 8 years.
Long story short.Ones body is not made of steel.there will come that day when your body will give up on you as far as the driving is concerned my case was my lower back,and my general health due to the life style of trucking and all that healthy food we eat out there and excercise.(sarcasm)
I have always taken care of my weight etc..but a sport accident messed me up when I was younger and it just kept creeping up into my driving career.Id go to physical theropy etc once my lower back was strained from driving (every other couple of years)it would be too much pain to sit that long.I also ran really hard so it came with the job.Being that Id didnt have any family or place to go near since my divorce in 2003 ,my truck was my home til I had to quit,I had to stay at my mother house in florida since.
When I was forced out of a truck in dec 2007 with another lower back strain I had started to get Vertigo as well.It was a first for me and freaked me out when I was dizzy all the time and passing out and loosing my breath.
Driving is a good career for some but it is not the healthiest,some of my funnest times and memories are of being out on the open road roaming the country with out a care in the world but just driving, but that day would soon end for me as it did late 07.

Since then It took about 6 months for my for the Vertigo to go away,I couldnt even walk with almost fall over,it was scary.Im not sure why i got it but I think it was gods way of telling me I had to get out of a truck and stop driving my life away as much as I did,because I loved it so much.
I ended up getting a low paying job at a walgreens liquor ,(no not as a driver)but cashier at one of their liquor stores on clearwater beach.It was nice to see all the hottie spring breaker girls and being around the party atmosphere with all the bars next door and being invited to all sort of parties while there I met alot of nice people from different parts of the world and country vacationing etc.. for a change and mainly just being around people was a good changed but I ended up quiting there due to low hours and have been looking for another job for the last 4 months.economy sucks and especially florida sucks for jobs even in a good economy.

Like one driver mentioned earlier,It does take adjusting when you leave.Shoot,I still get flash backs and want to go back out,Im not gona lie.I loved driving and still do.But I had come to the point that there is more to life than driving otr.

Sorry to tell my life story here but I never really read alot of posts here of drivers who have been driving more the 5 years ect and then quiting.if any its always the newbie who could stand the life style etc..so I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in.

Good luck if you do quit,sometimes working a local non-driver job is good for a person to reconnect with life and people but if you are a loner type who hates peopleand doesnt mind not having a girlfriend than just stay in a truck it will be better.

meanwhile Im suffering from the lack of jobs and will try to save enough some day when I get a job again to leave this freakin state of florida its nice hear but im still in my working year and its more of a touristy and retirement state than anything else.
I pray I can get a job here soon,meanwhile Im enjoying my $200 a month in foodstamps and riding my bike to the beach every day.God works in mysterious ways,LOL.

God bless

[devildice]

If you are good at lying you could always be a dispatcher:)
Or a politician :rofl:

[Phreddo]

This is sad. Just how old are you??


Three years driving truck, and you are already looking for "life after trucking"??



I have 31 years behind the wheel. I have a clear vision of what I want "after trucking". I had planned on doing the "after trucking" life, at 55. Now I have to push it farther. Maybe 60. Maybe 65.



My version of "life after trucking"? A small farm, where I can raise table meat, veggies to go with that meat, sell some meat, veggies or hay to others, and when the mood strikes me, hook the boat up, and go fishing. :thumbsup:

This was never my chosen career. In fact, trucking was my last resort after I tried everything else I had planned to do ie college, etc. As far as I'm concerned, I'm just passing through. I'll do the best I can while I'm doing it, but I have no intention of becoming a 20 year professional trucker wearing Zubas and peeing in bottles ;)

Seriously, tho, it's a tough life and lifestyle, and one that, while I enjoy it for now, I know takes more time than I need to commit to make a living. Also, I'd still like to do, something, with my life. More to the point, I have not committed to the idea that this is the last career I will ever have.

I figure I'd like to get out for a while and make my fortune doing, whatever Phase 2 calls for. Then, when I've paid my bills and have some money set aside, maybe have a house or something, then get back in the truck and drive for 40 hours a week or somesuch.

My thing is I'm wondering what else there is to do in trucking that's worth a squirt besides just the driving?

Personally, I think I could handle the idea of being some sort of O/O fuel hauler, where I would service one set of customers, and deal directly with them. I don't know if there is such a thing, but there are many days where I wish I could deal directly with the people to whom I am delivering. I know that I should be careful what I wish for, but I'm just thinking out loud here.

[bentstrider]

I quit trucking in general dec 2007. Im 36 yerars old and drove since I was 26,Ive been driving otr,regional,local,etc... for 8 years.
Long story short.Ones body is not made of steel.there will come that day when your body will give up on you as far as the driving is concerned my case was my lower back,and my general health due to the life style of trucking and all that healthy food we eat out there and excercise.(sarcasm)
I have always taken care of my weight etc..but a sport accident messed me up when I was younger and it just kept creeping up into my driving career.Id go to physical theropy etc once my lower back was strained from driving (every other couple of years)it would be too much pain to sit that long.I also ran really hard so it came with the job.Being that Id didnt have any family or place to go near since my divorce in 2003 ,my truck was my home til I had to quit,I had to stay at my mother house in florida since.
When I was forced out of a truck in dec 2007 with another lower back strain I had started to get Vertigo as well.It was a first for me and freaked me out when I was dizzy all the time and passing out and loosing my breath.
Driving is a good career for some but it is not the healthiest,some of my funnest times and memories are of being out on the open road roaming the country with out a care in the world but just driving, but that day would soon end for me as it did late 07.

Since then It took about 6 months for my for the Vertigo to go away,I couldnt even walk with almost fall over,it was scary.Im not sure why i got it but I think it was gods way of telling me I had to get out of a truck and stop driving my life away as much as I did,because I loved it so much.
I ended up getting a low paying job at a walgreens liquor ,(no not as a driver)but cashier at one of their liquor stores on clearwater beach.It was nice to see all the hottie spring breaker girls and being around the party atmosphere with all the bars next door and being invited to all sort of parties while there I met alot of nice people from different parts of the world and country vacationing etc.. for a change and mainly just being around people was a good changed but I ended up quiting there due to low hours and have been looking for another job for the last 4 months.economy sucks and especially florida sucks for jobs even in a good economy.

Like one driver mentioned earlier,It does take adjusting when you leave.Shoot,I still get flash backs and want to go back out,Im not gona lie.I loved driving and still do.But I had come to the point that there is more to life than driving otr.

Sorry to tell my life story here but I never really read alot of posts here of drivers who have been driving more the 5 years ect and then quiting.if any its always the newbie who could stand the life style etc..so I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in.

Good luck if you do quit,sometimes working a local non-driver job is good for a person to reconnect with life and people but if you are a loner type who hates peopleand doesnt mind not having a girlfriend than just stay in a truck it will be better.

meanwhile Im suffering from the lack of jobs and will try to save enough some day when I get a job again to leave this freakin state of florida its nice hear but im still in my working year and its more of a touristy and retirement state than anything else.
I pray I can get a job here soon,meanwhile Im enjoying my $200 a month in foodstamps and riding my bike to the beach every day.God works in mysterious ways,LOL.

God bless

I actually got healthier while driving the truck, got to see more places and took my bicycle along to get more out of it.
As far as hating people and being a loner goes, I find that when you're out over-the-road, you tend to experience alot less "drama" than if you were confined to one city for all your life.

Road life is what you tend to make of it.

[feederfred]

I also never thought that I would drive again after being at it 32 years at UPS. However, once I sold my home in Southern California and moved, I found that after working all those years I became pretty easily bored with all the mundane household stuff and "life in a casino" wasn't for me. So I worked part time here and there driving for local fuel jobbers and pretty much just enjoyed getting up and having somewhere to go. But as they say (and I am not very religious) that "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans".. Then divorce and all that entails reared it's rather ugly head. Even with a good attorney, I still got away with barely half a pension, no house and alimony. Being too young for Social Security and having to provide court ordered health-care, it was back to driving full time I went..Fortunately, I'm only "stuck" for five more years of support and then that ends and I will be financially able to retire "full-time"....It IS hard at a later age to put up with the stress and physical demands that trucking puts on you. Fortunately, there is light at the end of my personal tunnel and I think that in five years I will be more appreciative of the fact that I do not have to drive any longer. It won't be a sad day for me when I finally hang up my CDL..Trucking has changed from a once proud profession to it seems, just another "fill in" job where far too many people that shouldn't be driving are filling the ranks..JMHO

[bentstrider]

It IS hard at a later age to put up with the stress and physical demands that trucking puts on you. Fortunately, there is light at the end of my personal tunnel and I think that in five years I will be more appreciative of the fact that I do not have to drive any longer. It won't be a sad day for me when I finally hang up my CDL..Trucking has changed from a once proud profession to it seems, just another "fill in" job where far too many people that shouldn't be driving are filling the ranks..JMHO

I guess with that in mind, if I ever hit retirement age or decide to stop driving a truck, the other next logical career move for me would be a bush-pilot, or some other flying job.

[Orangetxguy]

This was never my chosen career. In fact, trucking was my last resort after I tried everything else I had planned to do ie college, etc. As far as I'm concerned, I'm just passing through. I'll do the best I can while I'm doing it, but I have no intention of becoming a 20 year professional trucker wearing Zubas and peeing in bottles ;)

Seriously, tho, it's a tough life and lifestyle, and one that, while I enjoy it for now, I know takes more time than I need to commit to make a living. Also, I'd still like to do, something, with my life. More to the point, I have not committed to the idea that this is the last career I will ever have.

I figure I'd like to get out for a while and make my fortune doing, whatever Phase 2 calls for. Then, when I've paid my bills and have some money set aside, maybe have a house or something, then get back in the truck and drive for 40 hours a week or somesuch.

My thing is I'm wondering what else there is to do in trucking that's worth a squirt besides just the driving?

Personally, I think I could handle the idea of being some sort of O/O fuel hauler, where I would service one set of customers, and deal directly with them. I don't know if there is such a thing, but there are many days where I wish I could deal directly with the people to whom I am delivering. I know that I should be careful what I wish for, but I'm just thinking out loud here.



There is such a thing. BUT. To do it on your own, under your own authority, which is what you are seemingly leaning toward, you are talking about mucho money! That is just for equipment and insurance. I have not kept up on what "rack" requirements are, as far as bonding goes.

Back when I was doing fuel, the company I worked for required a minimum $5,000,000.00! What does that equate to, in a monthly insurance premium? I haven't checked. But with your short tenure as a driver, and even shorter tenure as a "fuel delivery driver", I'm betting it will run $35K to $40K a year, just for one truck and trailer. After insurance, there are the rack fees. You might not know it, but each time you load your truck, your boss pays a fee to do so, at each rack. In Seattle, in the 90's, the typical rack fee was $50 for gasoline and $38 for diesel. That is why you are told which rack to go to for specific loads. That and allotment, as well as dailey pricing.

I carry a $2,000,000.00 "umbrella" policy on my truck. It cost's me $135.00 a month. I have 30 documented years of haz-mat. An "umbrella" is just a rider policy, to protect my butt after the regular policy and the company's policy, are extinguished. When I got the policy, they told me my rate was based solely on my experience and record. I can not imagine what it would be for 3 years experience.


Fuel hauling is even more "cut throat" than refer, dry van, or flatbed.

For the money....I think "Heavyhaul" would be my next step. It is something I have never done. It is something that is definately skills oriented, and requires extremely good trip planning.


I do tanks because out of all trucking...it is far and away the easiest. Not the least stressful, but the easiest.

[geeshock]

I'm prety good in retail, boat building and generaly anything involving customer service but the market being what it is well...


Not to mention, I got out of it and missed it.

[bentstrider]

There is such a thing. BUT. To do it on your own, under your own authority, which is what you are seemingly leaning toward, you are talking about mucho money! That is just for equipment and insurance. I have not kept up on what "rack" requirements are, as far as bonding goes.

Back when I was doing fuel, the company I worked for required a minimum $5,000,000.00! What does that equate to, in a monthly insurance premium? I haven't checked. But with your short tenure as a driver, and even shorter tenure as a "fuel delivery driver", I'm betting it will run $35K to $40K a year, just for one truck and trailer. After insurance, there are the rack fees. You might not know it, but each time you load your truck, your boss pays a fee to do so, at each rack. In Seattle, in the 90's, the typical rack fee was $50 for gasoline and $38 for diesel. That is why you are told which rack to go to for specific loads. That and allotment, as well as dailey pricing.

I carry a $2,000,000.00 "umbrella" policy on my truck. It cost's me $135.00 a month. I have 30 documented years of haz-mat. An "umbrella" is just a rider policy, to protect my butt after the regular policy and the company's policy, are extinguished. When I got the policy, they told me my rate was based solely on my experience and record. I can not imagine what it would be for 3 years experience.


Fuel hauling is even more "cut throat" than refer, dry van, or flatbed.

For the money....I think "Heavyhaul" would be my next step. It is something I have never done. It is something that is definately skills oriented, and requires extremely good trip planning.


I do tanks because out of all trucking...it is far and away the easiest. Not the least stressful, but the easiest.

Had a little taste of that "driving style" from June of last year to the beginning of this year.
Whoever is able to handle that is a master of the game.

Another reason why I choose to stick to company, the W2's, preplans, and all the other stuff are things I'd rather deal with, as opposed to keeping track of "every piece of paper".

But, if you like the challenges of challenges, then O/O is the best route to take in this industry.

[Justruckin]

But, if you like the challenges of challenges, then O/O is the best route to take in this industry.

Not in my book, and I can probably say that quite a few others around here think the same way. When I hung it up, .30 a mile looked good, the rates are just not there anymore unless you have one hell of a gig. And I used to have one of those gigs, so I know what I am speaking of.

And the way things are looking, that light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train from where I sit.

And I am not just talking about the trucking industry.

Europe just stepped in and tried to quash the currency markets today to shore up the dollar, seeing as our guys don't seem to care as they spend us into oblivion.

[bentstrider]

Not in my book, and I can probably say that quite a few others around here think the same way. When I hung it up, .30 a mile looked good, the rates are just not there anymore unless you have one hell of a gig. And I used to have one of those gigs, so I know what I am speaking of.

And the way things are looking, that light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train from where I sit.

And I am not just talking about the trucking industry.

Europe just stepped in and tried to quash the currency markets today to shore up the dollar, seeing as our guys don't seem to care as they spend us into oblivion.

Well, I don't have many things to pay for, so .30/mile is a good enough rate for me.
Although, I still do hear plenty of stories where pay was the same back in the 70's.

Thing is, if you do anything strictly for the money and not for the love of the game, time to find a different game.

[Phreddo]

I know there's a lot more under the hood than I see from the driver's seat, as far as legal this and regulation that. I'm certainly not like some of these guys i see, graduating from the Schneider Training Academy and buying a new Pete or somesuch.

I guess my question is, what is the logical conclusion to this career path? Up until now, I really haven't had a plan. Now that I've been doing this a while, I'd like to try and plan more than just my next day.
I once heard of a guy who drove a mobile MRI, and he said they required 10 years experience with no accidents.
Guess in 7 years I may look into it.

[bentstrider]

I know there's a lot more under the hood than I see from the driver's seat, as far as legal this and regulation that. I'm certainly not like some of these guys i see, graduating from the Schneider Training Academy and buying a new Pete or somesuch.

I guess my question is, what is the logical conclusion to this career path? Up until now, I really haven't had a plan. Now that I've been doing this a while, I'd like to try and plan more than just my next day.
I once heard of a guy who drove a mobile MRI, and he said they required 10 years experience with no accidents.
Guess in 7 years I may look into it.

Well, all I could say is that many of us are currently locked into it and don't see any other job that could compare to it.
I've tried focusing on other careers for the past, 2 years, but the only way I see myself forgetting about trucks is by going some place to where you won't see one.

Driving wise, the only conclusion you could come to is a lax schedule and better pay obviously, but nothing else I could think of.

[geeshock]

Well, I don't have many things to pay for, so .30/mile is a good enough rate for me.
Although, I still do hear plenty of stories where pay was the same back in the 70's.

Thing is, if you do anything strictly for the money and not for the love of the game, time to find a different game.

I love trucking, don't get me wrong but .30/mile is way to low. I still have a fam to support and I expect to get compensated fairly. I'm not in it for charity.

[Flatbed]

I have been driving for 8 years and am currently in the middle of my 'after driving' plan.

Seriously, there is no long term career path in truck driving. You drive, get a few raises, and keep on driving until you retire. Or, you may move into an office and dispatch.. move into safety or training perhaps .. buy a truck or three and slowly go broke for the rest of your life ... all dead end places to be.

I willingly gave up the house I was renting and that money is going towards becoming debt free, a goal I will reach at the end of the year. After that my only debts will be the currently recurring bills for a cell phone, internet, and car insurance.

I have always loved playing with computers and technology but I always resisted getting an IT degree, it seemed like everyone and their brother has those and most of them know the phrase 'do you want fries with that?' way too well.

I found a niche in the IT world, computer forensics, and have a year left until I have a Bachelors degree specializing in the field. I'm taking classes all online from a good accredited university and the cost is well worth it. It is sometimes hard to get all the class work done if I am running hard but so far I have done well and have maintained a 4.0 gpa to date.

One more year of driving and then I hope to never be in a truck again.

[geeshock]

I wish you the best of luck. I just know I can't see myself doing one of those jobs. I love computers, especialy the network end but when I took a job doing that I found it's a great hobby but i really hate working in the field.

[bentstrider]

I love trucking, don't get me wrong but .30/mile is way to low. I still have a fam to support and I expect to get compensated fairly. I'm not in it for charity.

Well, I don't have anyone to support but myself, so I see what many mean.
Cool thing about getting back into this job is that I'll get to feel like the "cool drifter person" again, as opposed to that "weird guy who never talks to anyone.

I love talking to strangers!!!

[Phreddo]

I have been driving for 8 years and am currently in the middle of my 'after driving' plan.

Seriously, there is no long term career path in truck driving. You drive, get a few raises, and keep on driving until you retire. Or, you may move into an office and dispatch.. move into safety or training perhaps .. buy a truck or three and slowly go broke for the rest of your life ... all dead end places to be.

I willingly gave up the house I was renting and that money is going towards becoming debt free, a goal I will reach at the end of the year. After that my only debts will be the currently recurring bills for a cell phone, internet, and car insurance.

I have always loved playing with computers and technology but I always resisted getting an IT degree, it seemed like everyone and their brother has those and most of them know the phrase 'do you want fries with that?' way too well.

I found a niche in the IT world, computer forensics, and have a year left until I have a Bachelors degree specializing in the field. I'm taking classes all online from a good accredited university and the cost is well worth it. It is sometimes hard to get all the class work done if I am running hard but so far I have done well and have maintained a 4.0 gpa to date.

One more year of driving and then I hope to never be in a truck again.

Debt free is the way to be! Actually, that's about my only real goal at this point too. I'm focusing on the car, and after that the only outstanding bill is my student loan, and that's not going away any time soon. But still, even if that is my only payment it'll relieve some of the pressure, so if nothing else, I could try and scale back my hours, maybe go down to 5 days a week or something :/

I don't have to stay with trucks, but given that that is where the bulk of my experience seems to lie, it only seems logical to try and leverage my experience up until this point.