Trucking to make some $$$$ - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**micdans** · 05-13-2006, 12:00 AM

Ok. So many times when I'm cruising down the highways between MInneapolis and Chicago, I see all these trucks driving down the road with their little 'advertisments' for becoming a truck driver and the pay and that sort of fun stuff, and I start to think...
How cool would it be able to see alot of the land that I'm from (well ok, maybe not relaly see it, but be to some new places) and make hella cash. I think many of the signs stated above $50,000 yearly, or like 50 cents a mile (think .5 * 70 average = $35, solid!). And at least for me at my age, I don't really have any expense sorta things while on the road, except those fricken college loans. But anyways, making good cash while travelling and then after working for however long, take time off! Just get away, do more aborad travelling and that sorta stuff...Does this sound doable? Anyone with any knowledge or experience with this stuff? Good times.

MD

thatgirlwholaughs · 05-13-2006, 04:28 AM

i'm a girl, a blonde one at that...so i've never really considered it, but i've heard it can be semi-lucrative. that and you won't have a life on the road. don't they have tvs in those things?

**bellelass** · 05-13-2006, 04:50 AM

What about the ass-fatigue?

thatgirlwholaughs · 05-13-2006, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bellelass@May 13 2006, 05:50 AM
What about the ass-fatigue?

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i'm sure they have those fancy shock-enhanced seats like the bus drivers. i wonder if people complain when they succumb to school buses packed with lil kids and HONK

.

**TheJake** · 05-13-2006, 11:23 AM

yeah and you gotta commit to like a year, sometimes two years, for the company to put you through getting your CDL. It's an option I will probably explore someday just for the hell of it but right now I don't feel like making a commitment like that.

**micdans** · 05-13-2006, 12:53 PM

Do you really have to commit that long of a time? I guess a year wouldn't be too bad.
It would be kinda a bummer with friends and stuff, I doubt anyone would ever grow close to people on the road like that.

It's still an option. Maybe soon I'll have a lady in my life so that would deter from going...

**Joker** · 05-14-2006, 12:32 AM

There's a lotta stuff required to get a CDL, and depending on the state, various types of CDLs are available.

That being said, being an over-the-road trucker is a lot harder than it seems. You are away for some time on end, and it isn't necessarily seeing the sights, its work. Which means truckstops, motels, or crashing in your cab.

If you're only gonna do it for a year, I dunno if its worth going after your CDL. But thats just me. Not trying to dash your plans, but its a lotta work that only a year would seem a waste to work towards...

BTW- learn CB slang... "Breaker 1-9-gotta boy scout in a plain red wrapper hammer down eastbound on the double nickel open for business... Coming up the back door... come on back" :D

**TheJake** · 05-14-2006, 05:56 AM

"Ah copy that breaker breaker, while i'd love to hit the puke and gag I gotta smokey on my six writing me a fat phone, come on now"

**simply_angelic** · 05-14-2006, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thatgirlwholaughs@May 13 2006, 07:28 AM
i'm a girl, a blonde one at that...so i've never really considered it

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I just don't know what to say to that....

nena · 05-14-2006, 11:52 AM

i thought it would be fun driving trucks, like going everywhere.
but i heard that most of the time you just drive from one place to another as quick as possible, like you wont have time to take a decent break, and you'd have to be lucky or you'll be driving on the boring roads with nothing to see.

last week a taxi driver told me that six months of the year he drives the taxi, the other six months he spends traveling. he just quits his job, and when he comes back from traveling there's always a job open for taxi drivers.
you'd just be in the cities but its a fun job like socially and it makes great money.
i cant even drive a car but when i get my license i want to get a taxi license as well.

thatgirlwholaughs · 05-14-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by micdans@May 13 2006, 01:53 PM
It's still an option. Maybe soon I'll have a lady in my life so that would deter from going...*

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or to take with? hehehe. a trucker couple.

**omisan** · 05-15-2006, 12:34 PM

I'd considered it at some point or another, because of the pay and the fact that I'm a driving fiend. However, I realized it's not an option for me because a. I couldn't possibly commit to the training, b. I can't stand truck stop coffee, and c. I don't want to become a speed addict.

**Somnambulation** · 05-15-2006, 08:53 PM

Oh, trucking...

thatgirlwholaughs · 05-15-2006, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Somnambulation@May 15 2006, 09:53 PM
Oh, trucking...

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pretty sure i'm proud not to have that in my repertoire

**Joker** · 05-16-2006, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@May 15 2006, 12:34 PM
I'd considered it at some point or another, because of the pay and the fact that I'm a driving fiend. However, I realized it's not an option for me because* a. I couldn't possibly commit to the training, b. I can't stand truck stop coffee, and c. I don't want to become a speed addict.

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Its not that bad. At first you pretty repulsed by it, the flavor is awful, it leaves a funky taste in your mouth, but eventually you'll get used to it. But it works, and it leaves you pretty wide awake.

Can't help you on the coffee. Guess you gotta brew your own there.

**omisan** · 05-16-2006, 09:59 AM

Niiiiiice....

thatgirlwholaughs · 05-16-2006, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joker@May 16 2006, 10:31 AM
Its not that bad. At first you pretty repulsed by it, the flavor is awful, it leaves a funky taste in your mouth, but eventually you'll get used to it. But it works, and it leaves you pretty wide awake.

Can't help you on the coffee. Guess you gotta brew your own there.

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now i'm in. i am officially

stoked