89Z24 Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Im 21 have a couple more classes to go before I finish my associates in Agriculture Production. Im taking this quarter off and plan on finishing school part time from now on. Im not too sure Ill find a job real quick in my degree and Im also kind of thinking about getting my CDL and doing some truck driving because as all my friends will tell you thats one of my favorite things to do is get on the road and start driving. Just curious how many truckers were on here and could tell me how they like theyre job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMeanGreen Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 If you become a trucker, stay the fuck outta the left lane unless you're doing 75+ mph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lustalbert Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 I drive trucks for uncle sam once in a while.... Having your cdl would be a good idea, also the haz mat endorsement. Within 50 miles of the primary farm, you wont need it, but if you take a grain truck beyond that, youll need it. Also, anhydrous amonia is placarded, same rules as farm truks. They have talked a few times of requiring haz mat to haul NH3 for any farm use, but I dont think it has happened yet. Also, with the cdl, you can haul for other farmers, or the co-op. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old dirty bastard Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 <------ lives in the left lane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 The schooling you are required to take isn't that cheap, last I heard (a couple years ago) it was 6 or 8 grand, also you won't find anyone that will insure you until you are 23, and even then some places may turn you down until 25. I've known people to get LUCKY and get in earlier, but it's rare. It's a stressful job, if you ever have road rage tendencies I would suggest against it, but it depends on what kind of driving you are going to be doing. Local farm stuff wouldn't be bad at all since you won't be in high traffic areas, and you would be home most if not all nights. If you go over the road, keep in mind that you will be gone for several weeks in a row out of the month. It sucks not being able to see your friends and family for that long. Other drivers tend to have some sort of disrespectful attitude towards truck drivers, or they are too dense to respond sensibly. I knew a guy that used to drive that said he got in a wreck (that he was cited for) because someone had been in his blind spot for several miles before he decided to switch lanes. Never even knew the car was there. There are also people that go road rage against trucks because they are going slower, even though in some states, like Ohio, the posted speed limit for semi's is lower than for passenger vehicles (which is an unsafe law, IMO). There will be times when you find yourself overloading or driving longer than you are legally allowed in order to make it somewhere on time, because your pay generally is based off of either how many miles you go or how much weight you haul. You don't want to get caught overweight or with a logbook thats not true, both carry heavy fines. Also, if you have CDL it doesn't take much in the way of tickets to lose your CDL, even if you get ticketed when only driving a car. The positive sides are that you get to see the country, and you have a lot of freedom. If thats what you are into, then great go for it, but this is a job that's definately not for everyone. I wouldn't mind having CDL just because you never know what situation you may find yourself in, but I personally would never drive a truck for a living, I would be miserable. The pay is pretty good, my friends that did over the road were pulling in around $500 a week, and they were fairly young. There are also good ways to move up in the industry, if you don't mind maintaning your own truck, owning the truck you drive can bring in good money, also if you find a driving partner so that you never have to stop except for drops fuel and food, that would mean even more money. Good luck with your decision, this isn't an easy one. I recommend you really think this through and talk about it to the people you care about, as it won't affect only you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDHG940 Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Ohio should do away with the 55 mph speed limit for 4 tons or more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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