Truck Driving Jobs

nickbtubas · #1 02-07-2007, 10:44 PM

I have a big dilemma on my hands.

Today I got a phone call from my old recruiter at CFI asking how I was. She asked where I worked at and was very courteous. I told her my current job (local construction company, low pay, long hours, and no bennies) and that I was thinking about going back on the road. The reason I quit CFI is to be closer to home and hopefully go back to school to finish my degree. Lucky for me, the job market in my hometown is very lean and hires only the experience or those with degree holders. The jobs that I do find are low pay and/or have horrible working hours.

So here I where I need input.
Should I stay local and go back to school. While I do this I would be struggling to pay my rent and bills.

Or

Go back to OTR, get paid well with bennies, save my money and than go back to school after a couple of years.

I liked CFI; they treated me well and paid me VERY WELL for a green horn. The only down side was horrible delivery hours and sitting around. Another thing I hated was the Conway loads...

Your input is appreciated

-FlyByNight- · #2 02-07-2007, 10:52 PM

Nobody is going to be able to tell you what to do here. You're going to have to live your way through it. Maybe this will help though. Whenever I have a difficult decision to make, I've found that it really helps to literally write down a list of pros and cons of each of the options. It gives me something concrete to look at as opposed to having it all swirl around in my head. I don't know your religious views, but it never hurts to pray either. :wink: Good luck!

nickbtubas · #3 02-07-2007, 10:57 PM

yeah, i do the pros/cons diagram but i'm still young (23yrs old) and tend to make decisions without thinking first. i just would like other point of views.

its like torn between college and money. what do you want more....

-FlyByNight- · #4 02-07-2007, 11:08 PM

Well, it seems to me that you've already decided to return to driving or are leaning heavily in that direction and just want someone to tell you it's ok. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, just what you're willing to live with. OTR driving as you know isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle. If you're ok with accepting that in order to make and save the money in order to go back to school for a degree, great. However, have you also looked into grants and loans through the government or even scholarships? You have a lot of options.

millersod215 · #5 02-07-2007, 11:49 PM

Hey NICKB, i'm 23 also, I did my bouts with OTR and ultimately decided to stay local. When you say your pay is low, and your hours are long, can you elaborate on that. I'm not familiar with pay in other places around the US, and i'm not real sure what the norm. is for different areas, i live in Florida and work for a local excavation and sod company, i'm a sod hauler working 50 hours per week in 5 days, and i take home 600 dollars after taxes, now some people might say that i'm not making squat, but for florida local drivers, especially in this industry, it's not too bad of a living. I don't know what you made at CFI, or what you're making now, but like the other posters said, you just need to make a list of pros and cons, and i believe if you truly wanted to return to OTR, the decission would be clear, and since you seem to be torn between the two, it doesn't seem like that's the case. Good luck.

Mackman · #6 02-08-2007, 12:04 AM

There are good local jobs out there with bennies. I would say stay local go back to school if ya can and try to find a better local job. When i started local i was only making 12bucks an hr. :shock: but now am damn near at 19 with bennies its out there just got to look. but pay depends alot on the area you live.

Highwayman · #7 02-08-2007, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickbtubas

Should I stay local and go back to school. While I do this I would be struggling to pay my rent and bills.

Better to struggle now than when you are nearing retirement age.

Quote:

Go back to OTR, get paid well with bennies, save my money and than go back to school after a couple of years.

Fine, assuming you can and will actually save money. With many (most) people, the more money they make, the more money they spend.

kips41 · #8 02-08-2007, 03:31 AM

This is a big decision for YOU to make. You gotta figure out what you want.

But here is my story the short version.....Grew up on a farm in east texas....went to college....4 year degree in Business Management....then worked for Marathon Oil company mid level mgt....company car, expense account, great pay and bennies....Hated every minute of it.....started trucking in "92 worked OTR except for 3 years as a P&D driver for big LTL company in Houston......otr is what I enjoy.

Now for a little advice, OTR sucks for a family with young kids. Go to college if you have the chance....you can ALWAYS be a trucker.

Last if I had it to do over again I would get a degree that requires having a license to work.....engineer, pharmacist, teacher, CPA..accountant....etc.

But do what your passion is...you will be a helleva alot happier in the long run.

-FlyByNight- · #9 02-09-2007, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kips41

But do what your passion is...you will be a helleva alot happier in the long run.

Excellent advice! Do what you love and the money will follow. :wink:

Useless · #10 02-09-2007, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickbtubas

yeah, i do the pros/cons diagram but i'm still young (23yrs old) and tend to make decisions without thinking first. i just would like other point of views.

its like torn between college and money. what do you want more....

COLLEGE!!!! DIG IT!!!

College > Freight Relocation University!!

Unless, of course, you want to refer to your third or fourth week at "Freight Relocation University" as "My Senior Year"!!