This is my situation. I am 29 yrs old, have been a financial advisor for 6 yrs now, make a 6 digit income and have all the toys ive ever wanted. Most people would kill to be where I am at, but now, I am willing to give it all up to be a long hauler. I do not want to do it for the money obviously, I just want to be on the road driving a big rig (hopefully my own some day) traveling all over.

I have no kids, no wife, and I am giving up everything I own so I have no liabilities. I really want to have a truck I own. My question is this...once I get my CDL, I will be in a position to buy a newer truck cash and have 100 to 200k in the bank in addition to owning my own truck.

All the reading I have been doing tells me I should work a min. of 6 months to a year before I even consider buying my own truck and being an o/o.

If you were in my position and could start over again, what would you suggest doing?

 

I would suggest that you drive at least a year for someone. That will let you get a feel for the industry and some experience under your belt. A lot of guys go into trucking thinking it is going to be a sight seeing tour and they soon realize that it is not the life for them. There are certain responsibilites that come with being an o/o: keeping the truck maintained, paying for the fuel, purchasing tires, dealing with freight brokers, etc. My uncle was a flatbed o/o for over 20 years and whenever he was home all he did was work on the truck in order to keep it running. Get your license, get some experience then decided whether you want to be an o/o. Good luck.

 

thanks young, that seems to be the norm from everyone.

 

If I were in your position, I would stick with the 6 figure commision only gig. Your starting pay will be in the 30's maybe to go up to the high 50's or 60's in a couple of years. In trucking, you won't have an unlimited income potential as you probably do now. You'll never see your house, home & toys. You won't make your own schedule as you might now, the hours you keep will be determined by your dispatcher & the companies you pick up & deliver to. If your not already married before you go OTR, you probably won't meet the meet the women of your dreams on the road (unless she hangs out in a truck stop, rest area or dock). You may do some hard time or get sued & lose all your $$ should you accidently kill someone on the road (never injured anyone with your pen or pc during a consult, have you?) Instead of working 40-50 hours a week like you might do now, you will work about 80+ hours weekly in trucking -say good bye to a full nights sleep, it will be a thing of the past. If it's at all possible, network & find a driver that you can ride along with for at least a week on the road before jumping into it. Maybe take a month off you present job to go to trucking school & get a license & see how that goes first. Go one step at a time. One bad accident could end your trucking career. Keep following this message board, there are some good blogs on this site & others to give you a better idea of what it's really like. I also have a state license, but won't be in an office on commision anytime soon since my wife is now self employed. Earlier on as a contractor, I dreamed of running the highways for a long time & I tried it, I would still trade places with you if it were possible. Not trying to be negative, just very realistic.

 

appreciate the honesty, but sometimes, another mans misery is a nother mans dream. I posted this up somewhere else and heard the same thing.

I think the difference is many people on here have to do this or they did it and are now stuck there. Remember, I dont need to do it, I want to and MY worse case scenario is I go back to doing what I am doing now.

Material things are easy...I can always buy another house, motorcycle, truck and so on, but I may not be able to get this opportunity again in my life.

Again, if I wanted a house, I would keep the one I have...
If I wanted my toys, I would keep awesome ones I have now...
If I was looking for money, I would keep doing what I am doing...

You may want what I have because you do not have it...get it, then let me know if you still want it. Do not think I am taking for granted what your telling me because I hear it...the fact of the matter is I am doing it so I am really looking for the best way to get there.

Thanks again for the reply LA

 

you should do whatever you think will make you happy.
you can always go back if you dont like it. you are fortunate enough to be able to "choose" a career in trucking. even if its just a temporary vacation from your current lifestyle.
you may find some people think you're crazy to give up this 6 figure income and toys etc, etc. but i dont think some poeple appriciate trucking like you may be able to, because they have to do it for a living.

i would also suggest you get on with a trucking company for 6 months or so. at least until you get you feet wet in someone elses truck.

its your life only you can do what makes you happy reguardless of what positives or negatives come from this thread.
BOL. see you out there.

 

May one, most humbly, inquire about what precipitated this apparent detachment from items of conspicuous consumption ? I'm just curious... not trying to be smart or anything.

 

Molson, if you don't mind me asking, what is it that attracts you to trucking? Beleive me, I understand where you are coming from being in financial services. Clients are a pain in the ass.

Or, is this another joke thread.

 

I wish you the best of luck if you decide to go for it. Have you thought about what kinda trailer's you would want to pull?? Like other's have said i'd get atleast 1yr under your belt before you think about your own rig. For me i'd go with a company that has large car's.. :twisted:

 

Thanks 18