Following in my father's footsteps...

[DieselReaper]

Hey there everyone, I came across this website by chance and created an account so now I'm here to introduce myself.

I'm Joshua, 23 years old from Georgia USA. Single, no commitments, only family I talk to on a daily basis are my Mom and Dad, been bouncing from job to job figuring out what I want to do with my life. I've been pondering the idea of becoming a Freight Relocation Engineer like my father who's been trucking for around 18 years, but I have been too scared to do it and now that fear is gone - I refuse to let it weigh me down anymore. Deep down I know this choice would make my father proud and it would help my family financially so I'm going to get my CDL soon and get started in flatbed freight. It's time I "buck up" and get this $hit done. Time for the open road to make a man out of me.

Any old timers out there got any advice for a young buck looking to make a career of this? Please be kind to me, I just want to succeed. Thanks and stay safe out there.

Kind Regards,
Joshua Brannen
Macon, Georgia, USA

 

[Rigjockey]

Hey @DieselReaper, welcome to the forum. Macon GA is a beautiful area.

I got into this trucking racket 30 years ago and it was a good time back then. The industry has been in steady decline in the last 15 or so years.
Personally, I wouldn't want to join the trucking industry in its current state.
I am not here to discourage you. Just giving my opinion. If I was young, I would look for something else.

 

[Duck]

Does your dad do flatbed? If so, hire on at his company so he can teach you the ropes.

It's pretty much idiots training idiots out there now.

Experienced drivers like us are too impatient and crabby to train others.

But it's different when it's your own kid.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Welcome to the forum and the shit show we call trucking.

Stick around. Once you get behind the wheel share your adventures.

 

[389 Hood]

Welcome aboard.

I slipped through Macon yesterday at about 05:00, dragging my Cadillac behind me.

Personally, I liked flatbedding and then heavy haul. If you don't like getting dirty, look into yanking a tank. There are a few terminals close by to you that hire noobies and train at the same time. They like people with no fuel experience, because like me, they have no bad habits. You get to be home every day/night and you get to work in familiar territory. When you are starting out, that's a great plus. Life on the road, to me, sucks.

I retired 2 years ago after 47 years. Do I miss it? In a way. Then when I get out there even in my pick up and see the way these idiots conduct themselves on the road, I don't miss it one iota.

Good luck to you whichever way you choose.

 

[DieselReaper]

Does your dad do flatbed? If so, hire on at his company so he can teach you the ropes.

It's pretty much idiots training idiots out there now.

Experienced drivers like us are too impatient and crabby to train others.

But it's different when it's your own kid.

He works for Roehl Transport pulling dry van freight.

 

[DieselReaper]

Welcome aboard.

I slipped through Macon yesterday at about 05:00, dragging my Cadillac behind me.

Personally, I liked flatbedding and then heavy haul. If you don't like getting dirty, look into yanking a tank. There are a few terminals close by to you that hire noobies and train at the same time. They like people with no fuel experience, because like me, they have no bad habits. You get to be home every day/night and you get to work in familiar territory. When you are starting out, that's a great plus. Life on the road, to me, sucks.

I retired 2 years ago after 47 years. Do I miss it? In a way. Then when I get out there even in my pick up and see the way these idiots conduct themselves on the road, I don't miss it one iota.

Good luck to you whichever way you choose.

I love getting dirty, most of my work experience is landscaping and tree work. I'll definitely check into this, my Dad recommended me get every endorsement I can so eventually I was going to get my Tanker endorsement but I really want a trucking job where I'm hands on doing physical labor e.g. load securement. I thank you for your honest words.

 

[DieselReaper]

Welcome to the forum and the shit show we call trucking.

Stick around. Once you get behind the wheel share your adventures.

Thanks man, I definitely will!

 

[krelithous]

Does your dad do flatbed? If so, hire on at his company so he can teach you the ropes.

It's pretty much idiots training idiots out there now.

Experienced drivers like us are too impatient and crabby to train others.

But it's different when it's your own kid.

AGREE!!! if you know someone that can teach you go that route vs with some stranger in a moving jail cell. he will come out alot better off

 

[krelithous]

Welcome to the forum
and a big NO to leasing trucks!!! you will never own it and all of the responsibilities will be on you that includes liability if you have a wreck!!! as carriers make more off of fleesing trucks than frieght!!! and they prey on new drivers that just have to have that big shiny toy..

 

[Duck]

I love getting dirty, most of my work experience is landscaping and tree work. I'll definitely check into this, my Dad recommended me get every endorsement I can so eventually I was going to get my Tanker endorsement but I really want a trucking job where I'm hands on doing physical labor e.g. load securement. I thank you for your honest words.

Don't waste your 20's on OTR trucking. You'll never be home, and when you are, you'll be catching up on errands and mowing the lawn and stuff.

I'd go ahead and run 48 state OTR just to see the country, but only for 6 months or a year. Then go local.

I'd be delivering coke and Pepsi products to gas stations if I had it to do over. It's good money but too physical for me now that I'm 46 years old.

 

[389 Hood]

Oh, to be 46 again. The things that I would do differently.

Hindsight sucks!

You want physical labor? Delivering what @Duck said will keep you in shape and put a decent buck in your pocket.

 

[krelithous]

get a 12 volt fridge with a real compressor like in a real fridge and get an air fryer and do the carnivore diet it will help you from getting diabeties... also make sure the truck has an inverter in it. buy your food at wal mart or a local grocery store to where you are... avoid eating out all the time!!!

 

[krelithous]

Oh, to be 46 again. The things that I would do differently.

Hindsight sucks!

You want physical labor? Delivering what @Duck said will keep you in shape and put a decent buck in your pocket.

werner has dedicated accts that require physical labor to until he can get a local gig

 

[389 Hood]

Humping beer and soda into those stop-N-rob stores will keep you in shape. I used to watch these guys delivering 100 cases at a time and they said that was slow to some of the stores. Every case has to be fingerprinted at least twice. Once off of the truck and another into the stock room.

 

[Uncle Birchy]

Trucking is much of what ya make of it pal...

Sure today its Elogs alootta extra rules..

But theres ways of "Adapting" New Rules New Games.

Good Luck & keep your eye on the ball

 

[Uncle Birchy]

Humping beer and soda into those stop-N-rob stores will keep you in shape. I used to watch these guys delivering 100 cases at a time and they said that was slow to some of the stores. Every case has to be fingerprinted at least twice. Once off of the truck and another into the stock room.

I used know one of those Dr. PEPPER /7-UP guys here in my town.

He hadda pull up infront of each store and Gas Station unload the pop by hand himself.

He also got "Robbed" once only had $50 ca$h his pocket most were "On Account" just sign a paper ..

He turned 67 afew years ago "Retired"