Question:
Hey all, this is my first post on the forums, long time reader however.
I have been comtemplating a crazy idea lately. I am currently in school for Aviation at a 2 year community college. Since my debt will be low compared to a 4 year school, I was thinking of trucking for a few years since flight instructors do not make anything and it is something I always wanted to do. Before I get the "typical" posts, I have researched this HEAVILY, and I know its not an easy job. I was thinking of either going to some school, or signing on with a trainer company for a year then becoming an O/O. I will be 23 when all this will be set into motion. So yeah, there is alot of time for me to think about this crazy idea of mine. If anyone has advice or would simply like to unleash the normal "stay away from trucking" then I will be glad to hear it.
For future trucks I have been looking at:
2000-2005 Model (will be about 5-10 yrs old when I am ready to buy)
T600
W900L
VNL630
9400I
Perhaps Capn could answer a question I have reguarding the 9400i. Are the top fairings removable or interchangeable, or does it really not make a difference pulling a flatbed with a high fairing?

Answer:
Welcome aboard. Not a bad plan, do some reading of posts on here and you should be able to screen the advice good from bad. First off, none of the training companies is a great deal, but if you don't already have a CDL and a little experience, they are the most common entry way into the business. Drive for one of them, and yoiu can expect to see lots of road time, so so pay, and not as much time at home as you would like to have. There's an old saying that "crapola runs downhill, and you start in the valley" and there's an awful lot of thruth to that. But use them, develop a good work record, and after a while you can get on at one of the better carriers and do much better. My choice for that would be to find a good regional carrier that is in your area. Your chances of hometime increase if you don't travel all over the country, but run a 5-7 state region.
As for becoming an owner operator in the future, plan ahead, and don't just plan is as trucking. Plan it on the same level you would for any other small business venture. The fact that you business is mobile doesn't make it any less of a business to run than the guy running a video store or mini mart. You have the same needs in bookkeeping and financial management they do.
As for what trucks to buy, take some time and read a lot on here and get some ideas on speccing a truck before you decide on what you want to buy. Much of that will be determined by how you buy it, how it is financed, what you intend to haul, where you haul, and a host of other factors. It's complicated, and you need a lot more time and information before you can make a call on buying your own truck. I personally don't recommend anyone become an owner operator until they have had at least 4 years behind the wheel. Find some successful O/O's in whatever company you run with, make friends with them, and get them to mentor you along the way. They'll show you the books and teach you how to run it as a business.

Answer:
All you can do is try it and see, odds are you won't really like it but give it a year or two or three if you can make it that long see how you like it then look at becoming an O/O, I'm not going to buy a plane if I don't have a pilots license ya know. I am just starting my flying lessons now, and I gotta be honest I would much rather wake up everyday and go flying than go drive a truck but all you can do is try it and see I would suggest staying away from trainer companies and find a good truck school in your area, Have fun and good luck and if you can cut me a deal on flight instruction that would be great

Answer:
If you are single and don't have to much debt than go for it get it out of your system. Aviation will pay better in the long run. The benefits are better also. I have an A/P mechanics license and am curently turning wrenches for an airline. I used to be an otr driver you will drive 13 or 14 hours a day log 10 hours a day, and wind up working alot of hours for free. Maybe 20 hours a week for free. Stick with the aviation thing, unless you are just that curious anddventurious.

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I am still planning on aviation as a career (commercial pilot), and am only considering getting a truck under my own authority, by means of a loan of some sort, and then driving it for 2 or so years while snaking in some flight instructing till I have hours to go for a commuter airline. This way the truck will have less wear and tear and I would baby the crap out of it. I am looking at flatbed which is why I asked the question about fairings. Again, Aviation = long term, Trucking = Additional money/something I always wanted to do on the side.

Answer:

Frankly, I doubt that you understand the realities of either the aviation or trucking industries but I'll leave the aviation part out of this reply.
Buying a truck to make money is not quite the same as buying a backhoe, for example, to make money. With the regulations involved, once you enter the trucking business, it will run your working life by means of the logbook. If you think that you'll be able to work the truck during the day and play CFI in the evening and on weekends, you have to understand that you'll be logging your CFI time as "On Duty, Not Driving" and it will work against your truck driving time.
Yeah, I know; you don't have to log it - who will know? If you're lucky, no one will find out but if you aren't so lucky and find yourself in an accident with money and/or personal injury involved, you can bet your future career that the lawyers will find out and then you will be fooked.

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Keep the laughs coming.______
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I'd rather die on my feet like a man than live on my azz hiding in a truck.........Sir James Brown

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I gotta agree with Phil 100% on this.

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If you are putting in enough time behind the wheel of your truck to make decent money, you aren't going to have any time to do any flying instruction.
Trucking is a lifestyle, not a job. You don't just put in your days work and go home to free time.

I don't see how it is going to work as you want it to.
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Double post.
This forum software sucks.
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I realise I am setting myself up to be flamebait by asking these questions on here, but I think the same thing would happen to a trucker on an aviation forum. If I need to be humiliated to learn something then so be it. Actually I do know alot about aviation (as it is my major), trucking not as much. I knew somewhat about the logging issue but wasnt sure on the specifics. I suppose the idea of doing CFI and trucking was a bit of a pipe dream, and no, I do not know everything about trucking, but I have been learning alot from this forum and by talking to truckers I know. If I were to sign on with a company to get my CDL/ Experience, would it even matter which one? It seems to me that they all suck, except for Roehl to an extent. I realise you guys must come across alot of starry eyed newbies, but I have wanted to do this for a long time, and will get it out of my system one way or another. If it sticks, then thats what I shall do.
So erasing the idea of doing both... could this work? I have zero debt and good credit, am single and am not tied down in any way. Also keep in mind this will be about 2-3 years from now.

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Definetly an understatement.

You are in a good position right now but in all reality "trucking" in the future
may not be anything to be involved in at all.
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Correct. Trucking is increasingly competing with McDonalds for workers. It is increasingly becoming a no-brainer job for those who have underdeveloped cognitive abilities and no other skills.
Schlegified, stick with aviation. Deliver pizzas on the side for pocket cash - you'll make almost as much money doing that as you would trucking. But you will have a life outside of work. Personally, that is important.
Answer:
Well all I know is I worked many low income crappy dead end jobs and thought trucking would be a step up I make more $$$ and thats about it, I didn't have the option of going to college it was go to work or join the military well I joined military and was injured in basic so I was discahrged and so I went to work, long story short I now found an o.k. company to work with for a while, hauling dirt and what not (after a few crappy companies), I get to come home every night or every other night now and I get two days off its great I am getting my pilots license now and wanting to become a professional pilot like you I just need the certs. (I am only VFR rated )and hours. All I'm saying is I am a trucker becoming a pilot your a college educated pilot wanting to become a trucker No one doubts your decison but I think some people on this forum actually want to see some people succeed and not lower their standards to becoming a truck driver the knights of the road are dead its tough to admit but its true, all these guys on here speak the truth (well most of them) I am young like you thats why I am saying this, good luck in what you decide to do as I am sure it will be the right decison.

Answer:
All good points... I realize the industry is in the crapper, but as we know, pilots make decent money (eventually) and I think trucking would be more satisfying owning my own truck and not having the stress of relying on it for primary income. Perhaps I will wait longer till I am an established pilot with the majors (whenever that may be).
StagnantVirus: How many hours do you have? Do you have you PP:SEL yet?
I am going to college for it as I said eariler, more exactly CCBC in Beaver County PA. It's only a 2 year degree, but if need be I will transfer to get a 4 year in perhaps CIS. The nice thing is I will all my ratings Private through CFI:ME in about 2 years for around under 50k. Tis a good deal, if you are really hard core about flying I would save alotta money and go to FlightSafety or a community college. Where are you flying from?