Hi, I am new here and have been reading the posts for the past month or so. I am just curious if there are any guys out there who were Auto Mechanics and are now Truck Drivers. A little about myself, I drove OTR for 10yrs and got off the road in 1993 at the age of 33 and went to a trade school for Automotive Technology. I have been working in New Car Dealerships since 1995, I have invested a lot of money in tools and training but have been thinking of getting out of the car business and going back to Trucking. I still have my CDL and call the company I worked for years ago and they told me that if I went out on the road with a guy for alittle while they would put my in a truck. I am just getting tired of the auto repair business, not enough money for what you have to do and know, anyway I was just curious as to what some of you other guys have did before you got into trucking or if you left and got back into it. By the way I will turn 46 next month and really need to start making more money, and replies will be appreciated.

 

I got tired of working on cars. Then I got tired of dealing with people as a service writer. I like being with the voices in my head while driving down the highway. Now if I can just keep the four of them from fighting with each other :roll:

 

I was a supervisor at a local distribution center. The money wasn't great. I sat in my little chair in front of my computer every night answering the phone and planning the delivery routes out for the next day and making sure the trucks got loaded with all the right stuff. BORING, don't get me wrong 11 hours behind the wheel is boring too. (not all the time) I really enjoy the road. There is alot of stuff that goes on that I could do without, I can say if I found another job like my last one that pays close to what I'm making I'm gone. My own bed every night, sleeping with my g/f every night, home cooked meals, etc, etc, etc

 

I started as an auto technician for 3 year and then switched to service manager and then to store manager for 8 years with a very large tire and service company (just don't put their tires on an explorer :wink: ). I got tired of the people and the ever changing cars and the corporate people telling me I have to find more ways to sell stuff even though my store was very profitable. I quit after a big argument with my District Mgr. about what I feel was an unethical business plan. Truck driving was something that I alway thought about and figured this is the time in life to do it. I will be 34 in Oct. and figured it was time for a career change. I am waiting on Maverick truckings CDL school, which hopefully should be within about 7 weeks from now. Best of luck to you. 8)

 

I was a mechanic from age 21-28. The last few years of it I combined wrenching & driving, I was a mechanic on a BMW race team and got my CDL so I could drive the transporter. When driving to the races became my favorite part of the job, I decided to make that my job. Got a nice local gig for Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic, been at it for almost two years now. Getting the itch to get back into car stuff again though. I always have a job waiting for me with the racing thing, but I'd rather get back into restoration, which is what I had done before that. Time will tell.

 

I was a fireman for right at 15 yrs. I also did 6 yrs in the USMC. About 10 yrs ago, a very good friend and co-worker died in a fire we was working. It was that time that I decided it was time to find another career. I was always interested in trucking and I wanted to give it a shot. I went to truck school and the rest is history.

 

You only have four?? Can you take some of mine off my head?

 

I was a mechanic for a few years too until I developed carpal tunnel syndrome. I never did get very good since that didnt last long, but long enough to do most anything on my own vehicles. Mechanical knowledge helps you as a driver since you really need to inspect the craft well and be able to feel when and whats not right. Roadside breakdowns will be a lot less frequent for you and since you have know-how, you can diagnose stuff and fix yourself if need be. Also I enjoy knowing when a mechanic or service writer is bsing and tear them a new one
There might be a career in the safety dept. for you too!

 

I was a mechanic for some 10 years. I worked at independent shops, not dealerships.

To be honest I miss it. I liked the computer diagnostics, wiring, and driveability part. the motor swaps, and transmissions were too boring.
I have to say I was one of the best I knew.
I took pride in fixing what others couldn't.

Then I got a hairbrained idea to go to college and quit wrenchin'.
Then I opened a computer store for some 3 years. That was good. It paid well.

I guess I am a technical person.