Discussions

I'm giving some thought to a career change so I am considering getting my class 1. Are most jobs that require a class 1 long hours? I'm not interested in driving across North America, just something around MB, SK and maybe just across the border. I realize the more you drive the more money you make but I'm fine not making the big bucks.  
 
Just looking for some feedback.  
 
Thanks

Started off hauling to Saskatoon for a mom and pop operation(low pay) just to get some miles under my belt. After proving I could drive without incident for 6 months I was able to get a job locally hauling grain. Yes, most(if not all) driving jobs are long hours, but it is possible to find jobs locally(either being home every night, or every other night).

You want ur class one then get on with something bigger like the oil patch when it comes back online . I've been driving truck for over 12 years and there is no money in it . But if u don't care for low pay and working 16 hrs a day then sure it will be great for you .

I took my Class 1 from a driving school then went on to the National Standards Certificate from the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council. Earned a College Diploma. I drove for a year,nthen went driving City Bus in Alberta. A few years later and I am now in the Oil Patch. I drive local and LD. Money is really good and I am still home most nights. Once in a while I will do a long haul to break up the boredom. So, if you are thinking about it, just do it. It will give you a lifelong career to fall back on, and there are literally hundreds of jobs. You just have to gain experience and grow your skills. You won't regret it! PM me if you have questions.

I have been in and out of trucking almost 20 years, and yes, it is a very good "fall back" which it has done for me a few times. There is always work and dollars are there, but it takes a pile of hours to get it. Its been 3 years now that I have been off the road again, and here is a breakdown which not many people calculate it backwards this fine, but its how I look at it. I did make 70k doing highway work 3 years ago. I have been in the oilfield as well and when it slows down I have gone back on the highway and honestly have not averaged much better in the oilfield as the highway by the time breakup gets finished and then a few summers were wet so work did not pick up that quickly after break up some of those years too. Bank account was getting pretty thin by the time things got decent in almost September again some years. But if you break down my 70k, I worked pretty much 70 hrs a week all year to get that. So work the pay backwards for your time, that averages gross pay of 1350 per week for 52 weeks of the year, and that is for 70 hrs of work. Take any other job where you would get overtime pay, then the hourly rate that would equal driving is only about 16.25 per hour. I have seen some local jobs starting to get up past that, so for some experience, maybe hauling something local for a while to test the waters wouldn't be a bad thing. But you will probably be looking at 12hr days minimum too, and rarely have I seen local drivers get overtime for over 8hrs. I know myself I would have to be pretty desperate to go out on the highway again because the long haul rates have not kept up with inflation very well at all. Hope that helps some.

Thanks for the feedback, definitely giving me some food for thought. I really thought there would be more jobs around the area where one wouldn't have to work crazy hours but it's not sounding that way. Dumptruck driver would be ideal but likely hard to get in.

JD said "Thanks for the feedback, definitely giving me some food for thought. I really thought there would be more jobs around the area where one wouldn't have to work crazy hours but it's not sounding that way. Dumptruck driver would be ideal but likely hard to get in. "

Depends, this year unlike most years there are lots of experienced drivers around. Most years they are gagging for drivers.  
 
PS the one thing you need to succeed is that you have to like solitude, it is one of the least social occupations there is