I've been struggling to find enough contract/freelance work lately and am wondering how stupid it would be for me to completely start over with a different career at this point. (It doesn't matter what I do for work now; suffice it to say it isn't anything close to truckdriving ). I'm in my early 50s. I have several kids still at home. I own my house. I don't want to move if possible.

I could use some thoughts from any truck drivers, pros, cons, good schools, caveats, industry sea changes/AI-driven trucks? Anything helps. I'm just weighing some options at this point.

Appreciate it.

I obtained my CDL through work (.mil) and drove around a command post and other causality response trucks for a few years until last summer.

You will have to go through a CDL program that takes about 5 weeks and costs around $5,000. It is not a difficult class, and is fun/ enjoyable.

Amazon, Pespi / coke are always hiring delivery drivers, I have a friend that I went through class with that drives a truck for an ice company in Naggs head, he works from 6am till around 3pm and is home every night.

There are several options for work: over the road, or local. My FIL was an OTR for 20+ years, he said the big money is in the specialty haulers like ‘over sized’ loads. But there are tons of options for local home every night deliveries.
What questions do you have?

Two different worlds between Local and OTR.

I had a class B CDL for about 30 years. Driving a truck is not an easy job, especially in the citys.

I watch this truck drivers YouTube channel and think he gives an accurate picture of what driving a OTR truck is like.

Trucking With Schmidt

I had a Class A CDL for about 30 years but it was just so I could be a back up to my drivers moving our heavy equipment.

The big question is do you want to be home every night or are you OK with staying out multiple nights. With kids I would assume the former.

We have a friend who recently retired as a driver for Coca Cola and was home every night and he seemed to make good money and had great benefits so something like that might be an option… They might even be willing to pay for your classes…

My wife deals with a lot of trucking companies who handle hazardous wastes around the country. The owner of one of her primary haulers has repeatedly told her that if she knows anyone who would be interested he would be pay them over $100K PER YEAR and be home on the weekends..

Driving is usually one of three things:
1. You work like a dog. Delivery drivers do a lot of physical work but they usually get home regularly.
2. You live like a dog. Long haul truckers are gone for weeks at a time, work ridiculous schedules and live in the truck.
3. You get paid like a dog. Teamster jobs are few and far between. Most companies pay by the mile so waiting to load, unload, weather or accident delays are free (for them).

If you're serious about doing it, find something that unloads itself. Liquids, dry bulk, farm equipment, autos, even dirt or asphalt. Typically you won't go far from home but you are still working long hours.

After over 30 years as a diesel tech I loved my job and made serious money. There's no way I would have been a truck driver. If you still have the bug, check out opportunities to drive a school bus. No weekends, no holidays and summers off. You just have to put up with todays' kids.

I retired five years ago at 52 and got my CDL. A local community college had free tuition. Course was six weeks. Graduated with every certification offered and began driving OTR (which sucked) until I found a local driving job. Been driving local for the last 3 years and I love it.

Couple of things:

Mega carriers will hire you and put you through school but then they will work you like they own you.

Local driving jobs take time to find.

Trucking recruiters lie worse than Army recruiters.

My email is in my profile if you want to ask any questions.

quote:

Originally posted by sjp:
I obtained my CDL through work (.mil) and drove around a command post and other causality response trucks for a few years until last summer.

You will have to go through a CDL program that takes about 5 weeks and costs around $5,000. It is not a difficult class, and is fun/ enjoyable.

Amazon, Pespi / coke are always hiring delivery drivers, I have a friend that I went through class with that drives a truck for an ice company in Naggs head, he works from 6am till around 3pm and is home every night.

There are several options for work: over the road, or local. My FIL was an OTR for 20+ years, he said the big money is in the specialty haulers like ‘over sized’ loads. But there are tons of options for local home every night deliveries.
What questions do you have?

Good info, thank you. I guess ideally local/home every night would be preferable for the wife and kids, but if the money is significantly better for OTR I'd consider it also. Do you just need a CDL or do you have to get a certification or got to a trucking school also?

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.9mm:
I retired five years ago at 52 and got my CDL. A local community college had free tuition. Course was six weeks. Graduated with every certification offered and began driving OTR (which sucked) until I found a local driving job. Been driving local for the last 3 years and I love it.

Couple of things:

Mega carriers will hire you and put you through school but then they will work you like they own you.

Local driving jobs take time to find.

Trucking recruiters lie worse than Army recruiters.

My email is in my profile if you want to ask any questions.

Thank you. And everyone else who has commented and may do so. Very much appreciate the perspective!

I would not consider OTR, especially at your age. will work you 59 hours a week,mind numbing hours of boredom. And keep you out for two weeks more than they promised. Bathe in a truck stop.
Local? Better have someone lined up to give you a decent job.
I was a Teamster for 35 years, served me okay, but those days are long gone.
Find a trade such as an Electrician, they train for free and are begging for new people, and would make twice that of a driver.
Just my two cents.

Look for driving schools in your area. Most of the big carriers have their own. They will put you through school and then put you to work.

As for pay: it depends. Some are hourly (ideal) some are by the mile and others are by the load.

By the mile and by the load generally mean you will be working a 70 hour week. 11 - 14 hour days and a 34 hour reset after 70 hours. Over the road guys often do their reset while on the road.

A friend I graduated with makes 100k plus annually but he is gone 14 days at a time (common)

I work around 50 hours a week but sleep at home every night.

And I would listen to everything Schmelby said.

I’m in the business, not a driver but as a manager. The company I’m with has had trucks since the 1960’s. The advice you are getting is spot on. To get a good local driving job you are going to have to know someone or be prepared to wait. Local driving jobs are highly desirable and typically go to seasoned drivers. OTR is a rough life if you’re married with kids. My company wouldn’t even consider you for either position unless you have around d five years of experience. Also, it’s highly regulated on how many hours per day/week you can/will work. Any reputable carrier today is going to have dash cameras that face outward and many are going to have inward facing towards the driver. Mr.9mm and Schmelby are telling it like it is. When we interview drivers we are upfront and tell them all of the bad and hope that in reality it’s not as bad as we tell them.

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:
I would not consider OTR, especially at your age. will work you 59 hours a week,mind numbing hours of boredom. And keep you out for two weeks more than they promised. Bathe in a truck stop.
Local? Better have someone lined up to give you a decent job.
I was a Teamster for 35 years, served me okay, but those days are long gone.
Find a trade such as an Electrician, they train for free and are begging for new people, and would make twice that of a driver.
Just my two cents.

That is great advice.
40 year UPS teamster here, my last day will be August 31, then I retire at 63.
I am in the union and paid dues on a national level; our local is worthless in a right to work state.

I did 10 years package car (delivery) and 30 years of semi driving.
Trucking is NOT what it used to be, local or OTR.
EVERYONE is on their phones these days, cars AND trucks.
The newer generation of truck drivers is not professional for the most part, even within my own company.

I never did any sleeper team (OTR) runs, I was home every day/night.
But I was on call for 5 years when I went to driving semis.
Sometimes with only my 10 hours off between shifts, sometimes with 24 hours off between shifts.
Starting at the bottom of a seniority list, if there is such a thing anymore, is tough.

Those day cab tractors will beat the shit out of drivers on the road.
CNG fuel, automatic transmissions; I miss a diesel tractor with a 10 speed tranny.
Most companies don't purchase tractors for driver comfort and convenience.

Automation is coming, maybe not as soon as some think, but it is inevitable.
One can't run an automated tractor for local pickup and delivery just yet.
But Texas is already running automated tractors from Dallas to Houston.
Note, I did not say driverless, they have a person monitoring the vehicle.
Companies will end up paying 'drivers' far less to monitor a tractor and trailer than to pay them to drive it.

As well most companies have inside (driver watching) and outside cameras in their equipment.
I never had a problem with these cameras, but many do.

I agree it would be better advice to look into learning another trade that doesn't involve truck driving.

Also, consider that any CDL A or B will require health checks every two years. And you must be part of a “pull” program that randomly checks for drugs/alcohol. Those items are necessary for the CDL to be valid. If you are an independent driver, you will need to consider these costs.

Another good YT video to watch is JBG Travels. He's a former long haul trucker now local. I drove an 18 wheeler for about eight years before I became a policeman and even I can tell you it's a tough job today.

Delivering ready mixed concrete is long hours but good pay. Your start time changes daily and you go home when the boss says go home. I’m not sure where you live but if ready mix is a union job in your area then $40-50/ hour is normal. The union insurance is very good. It only requires a class B license with air brake endorsement. Your responsibility ends when the concrete falls on the ground, into a wheelbarrow, or the hopper on a conveyor or pump. You will need to pass a DOT physical.

Heating oil and propane companies are always looking for conscientious and competent delivery drivers. You can make a very nice paycheck and be home every night.

Shoot me an email if you’re interested. I have lots of contacts in the industry.

Thanks again. Lots to consider.

I know some OTR drivers. Most of what I've read in this thread echos their sentiments. I would sum it up as:

• High pay
  
• Not hard on your body
  
• Desirable schedule, i.e., regular hours & home every night

Pick two.

You want a local driving job that pays well and allows you to go home every evening to be w/ your family and sleep in your own bed? So does everyone else.