Is there life after driving?
#1
Board Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 249
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.
#2
Board Regular
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tallahassee, Fl
Posts: 329
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.
#4
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.
#5
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,303
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.
#6
#7
Board Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 468
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.
#8
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 725
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.
#9
Board Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 468
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.
#10
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. |


