Would trucking be a good job for 18 year olds?

by James Bemel
(Rochester, MN)

I am interested in trucking and would like to know more about it like, how is trucking fun?

Why do people go into the trucking industry?

Are there good and bad things to being a truck driver?

What is the worst part of the job?

Comments for Would trucking be a good job for 18 year olds?

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Jun 02, 2016
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Doing Research on Trucking
by: Hervy

You are a smart young man for doing research. All of the answers to your questions are on the site. Search in the search bar. You start here though with advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of becoming a trucker

Jan 14, 2011
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read all the columns on the left
by: Jeff

you should also read trucker's wives and read their stories and impact on the family. Each one has their own story of what its like while their guys are on the road and they are at home missing them. just really makes you think

Jan 14, 2011
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you're welcome
by: Jeff

yeah man anytime.. but I really suggest you listen to Nick and Hervy's advice as they are in the field. I am on the outside looking in and thinking the grass may be greener on that side of the fence when it may be greener on my side of the fence if that makes sense. I have been researching this and from what I posted that's all the information I have learned just from research and reading every post from this site. All I know is I want to be a trucker but I have a lot of roadblocks with a felony and such. 8.50 an hour isn't gonna get me anywhere in this life but then there are truckers out there thinking they would have it better working at Mcdonalds. I personally wouldn't think so. I worked at Mcdonalds it was my very first job when I was 16 and I only stayed there 2 weeks and never looked back lol. Good luck to you man and I hope you do get into trucking. When I was 18 I was serious about being a trucker and then I hit the bottle then woke up in jail and now here I sit 33 and a felon. just stay the course man and watch out for the company you keep. I got in with the wrong crowd and now I regret it big time.

Jan 14, 2011
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response to Jeff from texas
by: James Bemel

thanks Jeff that's basically the same way I feel about wanting to be a trucker. Although i'm not married yet. But I do have a girlfriend and I love spend alot of time with her. Thanks again Jeff

Jan 05, 2011
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Well....
by: NickV

First and foremost you gotta be 21 to obtain a CDL or maybe its the insurance but one way or the other you gotta be 21. Second, if you think your gonna go to school and get out and make a bunch of money then sorry but it aint gonna happen. Most companies are starting out at .21cpm and your lucky to get that. These schools are promissing you the world and if you believe it they turn it into this pretty painted picture. Just like any other job you dont start off at the top of the ladder making money hand over fist. Everyone thinks, well I will be driving, how can I spend money if all I do is drive. They dont tell you about the 6 days you get held up in Miami waiting on a load out. Or the week you spend in Denver waiting on a part for your truck. Yeah you get lay over pay but its not gonna cover more than your two meals you had for that day at Country Pride. Just saying dont expect to make a killing. The men and women in this industry that are makin the big bucks have been in it for 20+ years. It is an industry you can make good money in, just gotta put in your time. Keep your nose clean, keep your license cleaner. The things you do today will effect you for life...trust me. I have a wild couple years back in the day and its haunting me in the trucking world to this day. If you have any other questions just ask, there is plenty of knowledge you can find on this site and plenty of knowledgeable people to answer any questions you got. Go to your local dmv and ask them for a booklet on taking the tests for your CDL and yes I said TESTS. Good Luck and keep us updated

Dec 18, 2010
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Pro's and Con's of trucking life
by: Hervy

Trucking is fun if you like driving, nature, traveling

advantages and disadvantages of trucking is here
advantages and disadvantages of trucking

Worst part of the job would depend on the type of person YOU are and what your situation is.

What is the worst for one person may not be the worst thing about the job for you.

You have to read this and you will know the answer to all of the questions you have asked.
advantages and disadvantages of trucking

Dec 12, 2010
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great money for little education
by: Jeff from Texas

I am not a trucker yet but I am really considering this field as it only takes a month of schooling to become a trucker. I work for 8.50 an hour as a dishwasher and can't find anything else to do but be a trucker where I can make anywhere from $40grand a year on up for one month of school. Many people go to 4 years of college to make that kind of money then they come out needing to pay back $100's of thousands in financial aid. basically being in debt the rest of their lives and they can't even make this kind of money. Worst part of trucking is health issues and being away from your family. If you are single trucking would be a great way to go as you dont worry about family at home and you can make some serious bank. Be otr for at most 10 years bank all that money and maybe start a business 10 years later. By the time you are 28 you would have a serious bank account and could have a nice chick and get married settle down and have kids. I wanted to be a trucker at age 18 but now I am 33 and seriously considering it. Now I am married and only making 8.50 an hour. I never see my wife as we are both struggling to make ends meet. I would much rather see my wife 2 days every 2 weeks having shit tons of money in my bank. 4 days a month and we can party hard those 4 days a week or I can sit here in my broke go nowhere job and see her everyday at the house sitting at home can't go nowhere cuz of no money wishing we had this or that or the other thing. Fighting about why I dont pay the power bill just cuz I want to see some kind of money in my account till next payday. I mean our power bill is literally 50 bucks and I just can't afford to pay that WTF. Truck driving seems like the way to go. Someone back me up on this as I am not a trucker. If one of yall can confirm what I have said it would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely Jeff

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